What is the most common type of nurse?

The most common type of nurse is the Registered Nurse (RN), who forms the largest group of healthcare professionals, providing direct patient care, administering treatments, and coordinating care in virtually all healthcare settings, from hospitals and clinics to schools and homes. RNs hold an Associate's or Bachelor's degree and must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become licensed, working in diverse roles and specialties like critical care, pediatrics, or public health.

What is the most popular type of nurse?

Registered nurses (RNs) are perhaps the most widely-known and recognized type of nurse, with over three million RNs employed in the U.S. today. Registered nurses provide and coordinate care for patients who are sick, injured, and disabled.

Do hospitals prefer RN or BSN?

Nursing school leadership estimates that over 80% of employers show strong preference for hiring BSN nurses while 43% of hospital and other healthcare setting employers require all new nurse hires to hold BSNs (AACN, 2019).

What are the four types of nursing?

Types of nursing

• Mental health nurse. You'll deliver care and support to patients who are struggling with their mental health, helping them manage their condition with medication or relevant therapies. ...
• Learning disability nurse. ...
• Adult nurse. ...
• Children's nurse. ...
• Nursing associate.

What are the 5 levels of nurses?

The 5 main levels of nursing, from entry-level to advanced, typically include Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Vocational Nurse (LVN), Registered Nurse (RN), Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) (like Nurse Practitioners, Midwives, etc.), and Doctoral-Level Nurses (DNP or PhD), representing increasing education, responsibility, and autonomy in patient care. 

Six Nursing Degrees and Certificates

What's the easiest nursing degree to get?

The easiest and fastest nursing degree is typically the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) program, usually taking about one year, offering quicker entry into basic nursing roles under Registered Nurses (RNs). For becoming an RN faster, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) takes around two years, while Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs (for those with another bachelor's) are also quick (12-18 months) but intense, and RN-to-BSN bridge programs offer flexibility for current RNs to get a BSN. 

Which is higher RN or BSN?

While both degrees qualify you to become an RN after passing the NCLEX-RN exam, the BSN often leads to higher-paying roles due to the additional education and training. On average, ADN-prepared nurses earn about $74,000 per year, while BSN-prepared nurses earn approximately $80,000 annually.

What's the hardest type of nursing?

The "hardest" nursing specialty is subjective, but Critical Care (ICU/ER), Neonatal/Pediatric ICU, Oncology, and Psychiatric Nursing are frequently cited due to intense emotional strain, high acuity, complex technology, and significant burnout risk, with roles like Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) also seen as extremely demanding due to extensive education. The difficulty often stems from high-stakes decisions, unpredictable situations (like Labor & Delivery), patient suffering, and managing complex technology or unstable patients. 

What type of nurse is best paid?

A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is a trained nursing specialist who assists with administering anesthesia to patients during surgery. Salary: Nurse anesthetists are the highest-paid nurses, with a median annual income of $195,610 according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

What is an LPN vs RN?

An LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) provides basic bedside care under RN supervision, focusing on tasks like vitals and comfort, while an RN (Registered Nurse) has a broader scope, performing assessments, creating care plans, administering more complex treatments, and often managing teams, requiring more education (ADN/BSN vs. certificate) and offering greater career advancement and higher pay. The key differences lie in education, responsibility, autonomy, and career growth potential.
 

What gets paid more, RN or BSN?

RN vs.

According to Payscale data, a registered nurse with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) makes an average of $79,000 annually, whereas the average annual salary for a BSN is $96,000.

What is a 2 year nursing degree called?

A 2-year nursing degree is called an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), a program typically offered at community colleges that prepares graduates to become a Registered Nurse (RN) after passing the NCLEX-RN exam. It's a faster, more affordable path to entering the nursing field compared to a 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
 

Do nurses study more than doctors?

In sum, the path toward becoming a doctor can take up to 13 years. In contrast, to become a registered nurse (RN), you can opt to earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which takes two years, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which traditionally takes four years.

Which nurse is less stressful?

Occupational Health Nurse

These nurses perform regular health checks, ensure compliance with workplace health regulations, and provide wellness programs. The work schedule is typically stable, with fewer emergencies, making it one of the least stressful nursing specialties.

Can an RN make $200,000?

While the median registered nurse salary sits at $93,600 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest-paid nurses are earning well over $200,000 annually, proving that nursing can be both personally fulfilling and financially rewarding. The nursing salary landscape has evolved dramatically.

What is the happiest field of nursing?

Happiest nursing specialties often involve rewarding life moments or offer better work-life balance, with Labor & Delivery/Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Oncology, Informatics, Outpatient/Office, School Nursing, and Nurse Education frequently cited for high satisfaction due to fulfilling patient interactions, diverse settings, or reduced burnout, though individual happiness varies by work environment and personal fit. 

Who is the lowest paid nurse?

The lowest-paid nursing roles are typically Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), requiring short training (weeks), followed by Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPNs/LVNs), who need about a year of training, with average pay around $19.84/hour for CNAs and $30.84/hour for LPNs as of late 2025, reflecting lower education and broader roles in direct care. Factors like location, experience, and facility greatly affect actual salaries, but CNAs consistently earn the least due to minimal schooling. 

How to make $300,000 as a nurse?

To earn $300,000 as a nurse, you need a strategic combination of high-paying roles (like travel nursing, CRNA, or APRN), location (California, high-demand areas), significant overtime, shift differentials (nights/weekends), and potentially a side business or income streams like YouTube, with Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) having the highest earning potential. 

Is nursing a stressful job?

Yes, nursing is widely recognized as a highly stressful profession due to intense physical, emotional, and mental demands, stemming from long hours, staff shortages, high patient loads, critical decision-making, and exposure to suffering, though some specialized roles offer lower stress. High stress can lead to burnout, impacting nurses' well-being and retention, but strategies and alternative roles exist to manage these pressures. 

What is the easiest nurse to be?

The easiest path to becoming a nurse usually means the fastest entry, which is often a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Vocational Nurse (LVN) certificate, taking about a year, or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), taking 2-3 years, both allowing quicker work than a Bachelor's. For those with a prior degree, an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) is fastest, while Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is the quickest non-degree role. "Easiest" also depends on the job, with roles like School Nurse, Case Manager, or Telehealth Nurse often cited as lower-stress, non-bedside options. 

What is the most stressful nurse?

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nurse

According to one study, ICU nurses are more susceptible to professional stress and burnout, which negatively impact their physical and mental health.

What is the lowest type of nursing?

The lowest level in the nursing field is the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), requiring short training (weeks) for basic patient care like bathing, dressing, and vitals under supervision, followed by the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), who provide more direct care and medications with more training (about a year) but still under RN supervision. CNAs are entry-level support, while LPNs/LVNs offer a stepping stone to Registered Nursing (RN).
 

Do hospitals prefer BSN nurses?

When you have a BSN degree, you are qualified for more jobs than those with just an associates degree. Entry-level job openings for nurses in hospitals now require a BSN degree to be considered for the position. Also, a BSN degree will help your career down the road if you are seeking a more advanced role.

Can I become an RN without a BSN?

You can become an RN without a BSN. The minimum required education is a nursing diploma or associate degree. However, it is very strongly recommended that ambitious nurses pursue a BSN or MSN program because these will vastly increase their job and salary opportunities.

Should I put my RN or BSN first?

For nursing credentials, the recommended order is BSN, RN, with your highest earned degree (BSN) listed first because it's permanent, followed by your licensure (RN) and then any certifications, as degrees can't be taken away but licenses can, though both BSN, RN and RN, BSN are commonly seen and accepted.