Road to Rebel Nursing
UNLV School of Nursing provides an extensive roadmap to high quality, evidence-based nursing careers. Explore your options from pre-nursing through our graduate programs to figure out which path suits your goals.
Roadmaps
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Roadmap
Master of Science in Nursing - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Roadmap
Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Educator Roadmap
Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner Roadmap
Authorized States For Each Program
2nd Degree: Nevada, North Carolina, Wisconsin
MSN & Post-Master's Certifications: Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD): Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, Washington
Common Nursing Abbreviations
- BSN
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Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- MSN
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Master of Science in Nursing
- RN
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Registered Nurse
Performs physical exams, takes health histories, promotes health counseling and education, and can give medications and personal interventions. - FNP
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Family Nurse Practitioner
RN with specialized education and clinical training in family practice. Focuses on preventative care of children and adults. Maintains health and wellness over long-term periods. - DNP
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Doctor of Nursing Practice
Advanced nursing degree for clinical fields and practice. Available after MSN. - Ph.D.
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Doctor of Nursing Philosophy
Advanced nursing degree for research and new knowledge. Available after MSN. - APRN
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Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Earned with at least MSN. Focuses on primary and preventive public health. Can treat and diagnose illnesses and helps manage chronic pain and disease. - LPN
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Licensed Practical Nurse
Supports core health care teams working under RN, APRN, or MD. Performs basic and routine care, can check vital signs, and apply bandages and wound dressings. - PMHNP
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Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Advanced nursing degree focusing on physical and mental health assessments and development; can diagnose mental health conditions and provide integration and implementation of care. Also adept in fields of psychopharmacology and psychotherapy.
DNP vs. Ph.D.
While both degrees involve a great deal of research that can lead to a nursing doctorate, DNP and Ph.D. differ in their approach and career opportunities.
DNP
Focuses on clinical practice, intended for advanced practice nurse practitioners. Nurses on this track are committed to finding and improving health care outcomes in the clinical setting through policy changes and enhanced leadership skills.
Ph.D.
Focuses on nursing research; suited for those who wish to become nurse educators or researchers. The objective is to advance the science and practice of nursing through extensive examination and investigation that leads to new knowledge that can be applied to teaching and learning.