Guide to Nursing Bridge Programs in the United States [2026 Edition]

A nursing bridge program lets you move up a level without repeating coursework you already know. Award credit for what you've learned on the job, skip the redundant classes, and you can take a licensed practical nurse to registered nurse, or an associate-prepared RN to a bachelor's or master's, often in half the time of a traditional degree.

The payoff is concrete: higher pay, a wider scope of practice, and access to specialties from flight nursing to advanced practice. Most bridge tracks run online or hybrid, so you can keep working while you complete the coursework and supervised clinical hours on nights, weekends, or short campus intensives.

This guide covers every major pathway, from CNA-to-LPN through RN-to-MSN, with typical timelines, tuition ranges, admission notes, and example schools.

What a bridge program is

A nursing bridge program is an accelerated pathway that takes someone with an existing healthcare credential to the next level faster than the standard route. It builds on prior education and experience: an LPN bridges to RN without starting over, an ADN-prepared RN completes a BSN without redoing clinical fundamentals.

Three features define a bridge program: an accelerated curriculum, credit for prior clinical experience, and scheduling built for working students (evening, weekend, or online courses). Because you already have the foundational skills, the program focuses on what's new for the next credential. An RN-to-BSN bridge, for example, skips basic nursing skills and teaches nursing theory, leadership, and research instead.

Why nurses bridge up

Career advancement. A higher credential unlocks higher-level roles. An LPN who becomes an RN takes on more complex procedures and independent judgment. An RN with an MSN moves into advanced practice, education, or administration, with more autonomy and leadership.

Higher pay. Advancing your credentials almost always raises your salary, and a bridge gets you there faster than starting a new degree from scratch. The jumps are real at every level (see the salary figures in each section below).

More job options and security. Many hospitals prefer or require higher credentials. Some require RNs to hold a BSN for hiring or promotion, often tied to Magnet status. Bridging up makes you eligible for ICU, public health, and management roles. An MSN qualifies you for nurse practitioner or educator positions that a bedside RN can't reach.

Efficiency. Credit for prior learning prevents redundant education, and most RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN programs run online or hybrid, so you finish faster without leaving your job.

Personal goals. For many nurses, earning the next degree or license is its own reward, a long-term goal reached.

1. CNA-to-LPN bridge programs

Certified nursing assistants handle basic care: bathing, feeding, vital signs. Licensed practical nurses work at a broader scope, administering some medications, doing wound care, and performing direct assessments under RN supervision. A CNA-to-LPN bridge builds on the foundational skills you already have and moves you into the practical nurse role.

Duration. Typically 6 to 12 months full-time. Part-time or programs requiring prerequisites can run about 18 months. Most community college LPN programs take roughly one year full-time. CNA experience sometimes waives an introductory course, shortening the program slightly.

Curriculum. Anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, adult nursing, maternal-child nursing, and clinical rotations. Because CNAs already know basic patient care, the training emphasizes higher-level nursing skills and theory. Even online programs require in-person clinical hours for licensure.

Cost. Tuition usually runs $10,000 to $15,000, ranging from about $4,000 at public technical colleges to $28,000 at private or out-of-state schools. Budget for textbooks, uniforms, lab and exam fees, and any travel.

Financial aid. Accredited programs qualify for FAFSA-based Pell Grants and federal loans, plus state nursing scholarships and workforce grants. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement, and veterans can use GI Bill benefits.

Why CNAs bridge to LPN. The pay and autonomy both climb. CNAs earn a median of about $39,530 a year; LPNs about $62,340, nearly a 60 percent jump that can repay training costs within a year or two. LPNs also handle a wider clinical range, and the credential is the logical next step toward an RN license.

Example programs. Community colleges and vocational schools across the country offer CNA-to-LPN or entry-level LPN tracks. Herzing University runs an online CNA-to-LPN bridge for working CNAs that takes about a year, with general education online and core nursing courses partly on campus. The Community College of Rhode Island gives admission preference and advanced standing to students who completed its own CNA program. Confirm any program is state-approved for LPN licensure; graduates must pass the NCLEX-PN.

2. LPN-to-RN bridge programs

An LPN-to-RN program prepares a practical nurse for the registered nurse role. RNs assess patients and build care plans independently, administer IV medications, handle more complex care, and supervise LPNs and CNAs. Bridging means earning either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), both of which qualify you for the NCLEX-RN. This is one of nursing's most popular bridge pathways.

Duration. Depends on the degree:

The LPN-to-ADN route is often about one year of full-time study beyond the LPN. Many community colleges let LPNs enter the second year of a two-year ADN program, so the associate degree takes roughly 12 to 18 months full-time. Part-time runs closer to two years. Some tracks require a bridge course covering role transition before the remaining ADN nursing courses.

The LPN-to-BSN route typically runs two to three years. A BSN carries more academic credits, so even with advanced standing there's more to complete. Accelerated full-time programs advertise about two years; part-time or programs needing general education credits run three. The advantage is finishing with a bachelor's, which matters for long-term growth, and skipping a separate return to school later.

Either way, the program is shorter than a generic RN program because LPNs get credit for prior nursing coursework. An LPN-to-ADN bridge might run three semesters instead of four; an LPN-to-BSN, five or six instead of eight. You still meet all RN curriculum and clinical-hour requirements before the NCLEX-RN.

Cost. LPN-to-ADN programs (usually community colleges) run from about $6,000 to $30,000 or more, with many in the $10,000 to $20,000 range. LPN-to-BSN programs at universities cost more: in-state public tuition runs roughly $20,000 to $40,000, private schools $50,000 and up. A 4-year BSN nationally runs from $25,000 in-state public to over $100,000 private, though an LPN bridge trims that by cutting redundant courses. Indiana State University, known for an LPN-to-BSN distance program, charges per credit and reduces total credits because LPNs validate some prior coursework. Factor in lab, simulation, and insurance fees, books, and NCLEX-RN and licensure costs.

Financial aid. LPN-to-RN bridges qualify for federal Pell Grants and loans. State boards of nursing and professional associations offer scholarships specifically for LPN-to-RN students to address the nursing shortage. Many employers reimburse tuition if you keep working part-time and commit to staying on as an RN. Veterans can use GI Bill benefits, and some states run loan forgiveness programs for RNs who advance their degree and work in underserved areas.

Why LPNs bridge to RN. The role widens sharply. RNs perform full assessments, make independent nursing diagnoses, and implement care plans, which LPNs working under supervision cannot. That opens acute care, critical care, community and public health, and countless specialties. The pay gap is just as persuasive: RNs earn a median of about $93,600 versus $62,340 for LPNs, roughly 50 percent more, and that compounds over a career. An RN license is also the gateway to charge nurse, manager, and specialty roles that require it. Since the bridge can finish in as little as one to two years, it's the fastest route to more independence, mobility, and lifetime income.

Example programs. Nearly every state offers LPN-to-RN pathways, and community college systems in states like Florida, Ohio, and California have many. Confirm the program is accredited by ACEN or CCNE and approved by your state board, then pass the NCLEX-RN.

3. RN-to-BSN programs

An RN-to-BSN is a completion program. It does not change your license level; you remain an RN with no new licensure exam. What it adds is the bachelor's degree, increasingly the standard in professional nursing. The curriculum covers nursing research, public health, leadership and management, and specialty electives, assuming you already hold RN licensure and core clinical skills. It's built for RNs trained through a two-year ADN or a hospital diploma program.

Duration. Most RN-to-BSN programs finish in about one year full-time, structured as three or four semesters. Part-time runs about two years. Aggressive online programs advertise as few as nine months at a heavy continuous load; the University of Texas at Arlington offers an online RN-to-BSN finishable in nine months at accelerated pacing. Programs built for working RNs allow a slower 18-to-24-month pace, one course at a time.

Most RN-to-BSN students arrive with 60 to 70 credits from their ADN; a BSN requires about 120. Bridge programs accept a block of transfer credits and add roughly 30 nursing credits plus any missing liberal arts, which is why a year is realistic. Many programs also award credit for RN work experience.

Cost. Often affordable, especially through state universities and online programs: roughly $5,000 to $30,000 total, with many in the low-to-mid teens. Competency-based programs like Western Governors University can run under $5,000 if you move quickly; private colleges may charge $20,000 to $30,000. Some state RN-BSN programs charge around $300 per credit, about $9,000 for 30 credits. Most are fully online aside from a community project, so onsite travel costs are minimal.

Financial aid. Because working nurses pursue it, many hospitals reimburse RN-to-BSN tuition, often a set amount per year (for example, $5,000), especially when the BSN becomes a job requirement. Federal aid applies, and some scholarships exist through state nursing foundations and HRSA. Military and veterans can use education benefits, and some schools discount tuition for nurses in partner health systems. Many students pay as they go, taking a couple of courses per semester.

Why RNs bridge to BSN. The push for BSN-prepared nurses is strong. The Institute of Medicine recommended increasing the share of BSN nurses based on evidence of better patient outcomes in acute care with more BSN staff. Many hospitals now require new hires to hold a BSN or to earn one within a few years, so the degree matters for job security. It's also required for nurse manager, public health, and military roles, and it's the prerequisite for graduate study toward NP or DNP.

On salary, ADN and BSN RNs often start at the same bedside role, but BSN-prepared nurses tend to earn more over time as they move into leadership. Some employers add a small BSN differential. Across all roles, BSN nurses average roughly 20 percent more than ADN nurses, though this varies by position and region. The degree also builds research, evidence-based practice, and community health skills.

Example programs. There are hundreds. Online options dominate: Chamberlain University runs an online RN-BSN finishable in as few as three semesters, and Arizona State and Ohio State have well-ranked online tracks. State systems like California State University and the University of North Carolina offer mostly or fully online RN-BSN tracks for in-state students. UTA's program uses 5-week courses with total tuition under $9,000. Most programs include a capstone, often a community health project, in place of traditional clinicals, since students are usually already working clinically.

4. RN-to-MSN bridge programs

RN-to-MSN programs, sometimes called ADN-to-MSN, combine BSN and MSN curricula into one streamlined path. Many award a BSN along the way, then continue to the MSN; others confer the MSN directly. These programs carry a specialization, such as nurse practitioner, nurse educator, or nursing administration, so you choose a track at entry.

Duration. Usually two to three years. Accelerated programs advertise about 18 months for an RN who already holds a non-nursing bachelor's, since only the MSN coursework remains. For an ADN-prepared RN, most run about two years full-time (or 2.5 to 3 part-time): baccalaureate-level bridge courses first, then graduate courses. Lamar University offers an online RN-to-MSN for ADN nurses built for about 36 months part-time; Western Governors University runs competency-based options ambitious students finish in about two years.

Cost. Because it's graduate education, an RN-to-MSN costs more than a BSN alone, but less than doing BSN and MSN separately. Total tuition runs roughly $20,000 to $60,000. Public in-state programs land in the $18,000 to $30,000 range; out-of-state or private $40,000 to $60,000. The University of Mississippi Medical Center lists about $562 per credit for residents, putting the program in the mid-$20,000s. Nurse practitioner tracks can cost more due to added credits and occasional campus intensives. The return is strong: most APRN roles pay six figures.

Financial aid. RN-to-MSN students access graduate aid, including federal Stafford and Grad PLUS loans, and possible remaining Pell eligibility for the undergraduate portion if a BSN is awarded en route. Scholarships are plentiful for high-need specialties like primary care NP and nursing education. HRSA runs the Nurse Corps Scholarship for NP students who commit to shortage areas, plus loan repayment after graduation. Many employers contribute to an MSN, especially for management or NP tracks, and veterans can use the GI Bill. Some nursing-education MSN students offset tuition through graduate assistantships.

Why RNs bridge to MSN. An MSN opens advanced practice roles: nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, and (though now usually doctoral) nurse anesthetist, collectively the Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. These roles diagnose and treat patients, prescribe as NPs, and carry far more responsibility and pay. Outside APRN tracks, an MSN qualifies you for nursing administration, informatics, and academia. With the system leaning on NPs to fill primary care gaps, demand is robust.

On salary, an RN with an MSN earns well above a staff RN. Nurse practitioners earn a median around $130,000 depending on specialty. Nurse anesthetists, who need at least an MSN, earn well over $200,000. Nurse administrators with an MSN reach six figures in large hospitals.

Example programs. Several universities run RN-to-MSN online. Chamberlain awards a BSN on the way to an MSN with concentrations in education, administration, and informatics. Regis and Drexel have well-known online options. The University of North Carolina offers pathways for RNs who already hold a bachelor's in another field. Franklin University (Ohio) runs an RN-to-MSN finishable in about 19 to 24 months online, around $670 per credit for 36 to 41 credits depending on track. Verify CCNE or ACEN accreditation and clinical-hour requirements for NP tracks. APRN graduates pass a specialty certification exam (AANP or ANCC for NPs); the RN license continues throughout, with APRN certification added at the end.

5. Paramedic-to-RN bridge programs

Paramedics are trained in emergency care, stabilization, and prehospital medicine. A paramedic-to-RN bridge uses the acute care skills they already hold, IV therapy, patient assessment, emergency intervention, and fills the gaps: pathophysiology, inpatient care, chronic disease management, and the nursing process across settings. Graduates earn an ADN or BSN and take the NCLEX-RN.

Duration. Usually about 12 to 18 months for an ADN pathway, up to two years for a BSN. Many community colleges grant advanced placement: a paramedic takes a one-semester transition course, then enters the second year of the ADN, finishing in roughly three to four semesters of nursing coursework. Mesa Community College in Arizona runs a transition course that feeds paramedics into the RN program at semester two or three, completing the AAS within a year after the bridge. Pueblo Community College in Colorado, an early developer of this model, awards an Associate of Applied Science and NCLEX-RN eligibility.

Cost. Similar to other ADN or BSN programs, proportional to credits. Many are at public colleges, so in-district ADN bridges can run well under $10,000. At about $150 per credit for 40 credits, tuition is roughly $6,000 plus fees. A BSN route at a university runs more, maybe $15,000 to $30,000. Hagerstown Community College in Maryland runs a Military Medic/Paramedic-to-RN track with published cost estimates. Many paramedics already hold college credits, which reduces total hours.

Financial aid. Degree programs qualify for Pell Grants and federal loans. Paramedics who are firefighters or government employees may access union education benefits, and some states fund paramedic-to-RN transitions to boost the rural RN workforce. Veterans can use the GI Bill, and once in the nursing portion, paramedics qualify for the same scholarships as other BSN students.

Why paramedics bridge to RN. Nursing expands their scope beyond prehospital settings into emergency departments, critical care, and any specialty, including flight nursing. It also offers more stable schedules and less physical strain than carrying patients on ambulance calls, plus deeper involvement in ongoing treatment rather than emergency stabilization alone. On pay, paramedics earn a median around $58,410 versus about $93,600 for RNs, roughly 60 percent more. An RN license is also a stepping stone to advanced roles a paramedic license doesn't reach.

Example programs. The Community College of Baltimore County runs a Paramedic-to-ADN option. Mesa and Paradise Valley Community Colleges in Arizona offer bridge courses that feed the Maricopa system. Bladen Community College in North Carolina has a paramedic-to-RN track. Where no formal bridge exists, paramedics can often apply to LPN-to-RN or generic RN programs with advanced-standing consideration. A few online hybrid options exist, though some (such as Excelsior College) carry state-specific licensure restrictions. Confirm your state board approves the program for paramedic-to-RN licensure.

6. Military medic-to-RN programs

Army 68W medics, Air Force medics, and Navy hospital corpsmen who want civilian RN careers can use these bridges. Military medics receive extensive training and often perform nurse-level tasks (administering medications, starting IVs, treating wounds), so the programs capitalize on that experience. They're sometimes called Veterans-to-BSN programs or carry names like the Veteran's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (VBSN) initiatives.

Duration. Accelerated programs can finish a degree in as little as 12 months when prerequisites are met. Associate-degree bridges more commonly run one to two years. Montgomery College in Maryland runs a Medic/Corpsman-to-ADN transition: a 13-week intensive bridge course, then the second year of the ADN, finishing in roughly 12 to 15 months post-bridge. For BSN tracks, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center runs a Veteran-to-BSN finishable in about 12 months of intensive study when general education is already done. Each medic's timeline varies with how much military training transfers.

Cost. Most programs are at public institutions, so base tuition follows community college or state university rates. Federal grant funding through HRSA supports veteran nursing students, often providing scholarships that cut costs. The Post-9/11 GI Bill frequently covers most tuition and fees plus a housing stipend. Absent benefits, costs match any ADN or BSN program, but between the GI Bill, VBSN grants, and state veteran tuition waivers, many medics pay little out of pocket.

Financial aid. Military medics have the deepest set of options. The Post-9/11 GI Bill can cover tuition, fees, books, and living expenses for a set number of months, often making other aid unnecessary. Dedicated veteran nursing scholarships exist (the Army Nurse Corps Association and others), HRSA grants fund stipends and support services, and Guard and Reserve members can use military tuition assistance. Standard federal aid backs the rest.

Why military medics bridge to RN. Medics and corpsmen often work like nurses or physician assistants in the field, but those skills aren't certified in the civilian sector. An RN license translates military experience into a respected, portable, in-demand credential. Nursing offers career continuity (continuing to care for patients with more schedule stability), relatively quick completion thanks to advanced standing, and good pay across the country. Many medics use the RN as a step toward becoming an NP or PA. After serving as a combat medic, a formal nursing degree is also a meaningful professional milestone, and the nursing shortage means veterans are actively recruited.

Example programs. Florida International University partners with HRSA on a Veterans BSN that offers scholarships and aims to finish in a year. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi grants military medics academic credit toward a BSN. Montgomery College runs the ADN bridge described above, and Hagerstown Community College has a Military Medic/Corpsman-to-RN track for an Associate of Science in Nursing. Some California community colleges count military clinical experience toward advanced placement. Search for "Veteran to BSN" or "Military medic to RN" on nursing school sites, or ask the department about advanced placement. Veteran-specific mentoring and tutoring often accompany these programs.

Online vs. on-campus bridge programs

Many schools offer online or hybrid bridge programs, especially at the RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN levels, alongside traditional campus tracks. Each format has trade-offs.

Online. Online programs bend to real life. You can log in from anywhere, fit coursework between shifts, and shave weeks off with five-week course blocks. State-authorized universities stream accredited content to rural or deployed students with the same curriculum and NCLEX readiness as a campus cohort, and recorded lectures and discussion boards suit students who learn at their own pace. The trade-off is discipline: you police your own deadlines, coaching happens over video, and you arrange local preceptors for clinical hours (schools help, but the legwork is yours). You also have to confirm an out-of-state program meets your board of nursing's rules. For most motivated nurses, the flexibility outweighs the added self-management.

On campus. Campus programs give you set lecture times, lab days, and clinical blocks, a structure many students find motivating. You practice IV starts, assessments, and simulations with faculty at your elbow, building skill through repetition. You can drop into an instructor's office, work through care plans with a study group, and use the skills lab, and the school arranges clinical rotations through its hospital network. The cost is rigidity: you're on campus when the schedule says so, which clashes with work and childcare and adds commuting or relocation. Fixed calendars can stretch completion time, and popular public colleges keep wait-lists.

Hybrid. Some programs run didactic courses online with labs and clinicals in person, balancing flexibility and hands-on work. Always clarify what a given program means by "hybrid" and how much campus attendance it requires.

Both formats reach the same goal. If you need flexibility, are self-motivated, and are doing a completion program like RN-to-BSN while working, online is excellent. If you prefer face-to-face guidance or want maximum hands-on training for initial RN licensure, on-campus or hybrid serves better. Either way, confirm ACEN or CCNE accreditation and state approval so your degree and license are recognized.

Admissions notes

Bridge programs carry specific entrance requirements: an active LPN or paramedic license where relevant, certain prerequisites, and often a minimum GPA or an entrance exam like the TEAS. Availability varies by region; urban areas tend to have more options, and rural nurses often choose online programs when local choices are sparse. Verify current offerings and admissions criteria directly, since they change year to year.

Bridge programs abroad

Nursing education and the idea of a bridge program look different outside the United States. A brief tour of how other countries handle similar transitions:

Canada

Canadian roles roughly parallel the U.S. with different terminology. Canada has Licensed Practical Nurses (called Registered Practical Nurses in Ontario) and Registered Nurses. RNs now earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN), a four-year degree; LPNs hold a two-year college diploma.

LPN-to-RN bridging is well established. In Ontario, an RPN-to-BScN bridge involves about a year of bridge courses, then the final two years of an existing BScN, for a total of roughly two to three years post-diploma. George Brown College partners with Toronto Metropolitan University on such a pathway, and Western University offers a compressed 22-month stream for RPNs.

Tuition is generally lower than U.S. private colleges, especially at public universities, with provincial bursaries often available given Canada's nursing shortages. The key structural difference: Canada's RN entry level is now the BScN, with no ADN equivalent, so an LPN-to-RN bridge always means a bachelor's program. Each province also regulates scope independently, which shapes the bridge curriculum.

United Kingdom

The UK has no exact bridge-program equivalent, because of how its education is structured. Becoming an RN requires a nursing degree, typically three years. The old Enrolled Nurse role (similar to an LPN) was phased out, and there's a single RN standard at degree level, so no RN-to-BSN style bridge exists.

The newer Nursing Associate role in England, a two-year foundation degree, was created to bridge the gap between healthcare assistants and RNs. Nursing Associates can top up to RN by entering a nursing degree in its second year, the closest thing the UK has to a bridge. The UK also runs accelerated graduate-entry programs (about two years) for those who already hold a degree in another subject, and the NHS often sponsors staff to advance through apprenticeships or part-time study. UK nurses specialize in a branch (adult, child, mental health, or learning disability nursing) during their degree.

Australia

Australia parallels both systems. Enrolled Nurses (ENs), similar to LPNs, hold a diploma of 18 months to two years; Registered Nurses are educated at the bachelor's level over three years. EN-to-RN bridging is common: an EN with a diploma earns advanced standing and finishes a Bachelor of Nursing in about two years instead of three. Southern Cross University, Curtin, and La Trobe all run EN-to-RN streams where ENs enter as second-year students.

Domestic students benefit from Commonwealth supported places that subsidize fees, and states like Victoria have offered transition scholarships for ENs upgrading to RN. As in the UK, the RN comes only through a degree, with no associate route, but the EN-to-RN progression is formally built into the system. Australia also runs bridging programs for internationally qualified nurses, a different use of the term focused on licensure rather than advancing between levels.

Philippines

The Philippines focuses on initial RN education rather than bridging between roles. It produces Registered Nurses through a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is known for its large number of BSN graduates who work abroad. There's no official LPN or EN equivalent; a "practical nurse" took a short certificate course and isn't a licensed professional nurse. RN is the entry level, earned by passing the Philippine Nurse Licensure Exam after the BSN.

Bridging applies mainly to midwives or allied health graduates moving into nursing. A registered midwife can pursue a BSN through a bridging program that credits prior education, entering in the second year and taking another two to three years. Many Filipino RNs also take bridging programs abroad to meet foreign licensing requirements, and second-degree BSN programs (about two years) exist for those who already hold a bachelor's. Some schools run dual-qualification partnerships, such as Arellano University's international nursing program, which awards an Australian BSN alongside a Philippine one, focused on international mobility rather than bridging between levels.

India

India runs a multi-tiered system with structured pathways to move up. The Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) is a two-year program (after 10th grade) for maternal and child health at the community level. General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) is a three-year diploma (after 12th grade), historically a major route to registered nurse status and roughly analogous to an associate degree. B.Sc Nursing is a four-year degree equivalent to a BSN.

The bridge program in India is the Post Basic B.Sc Nursing, a two-year program for GNM diploma holders to earn a bachelor's. It covers nursing research, community health, and management, plus science refreshers, and requires the candidate to be a registered nurse already. It works much like an RN-to-BSN: diploma to degree with credit for prior learning. There are also less formalized routes for ANMs to upgrade to GNM. Government nursing colleges charge low fees with limited seats; private institutions cost more, though far less than U.S. programs in dollar terms.

A key difference: in India, the GNM diploma nurse is already a fully licensed RN, so the Post Basic B.Sc is mainly academic upgrading for higher posts or overseas opportunities. The national push now is toward degree-level education for all nurses, which may eventually make this bridge less common.

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Across every country, the common thread is the same: a growing emphasis on higher education for nurses, whether through the BSN-in-10 push in parts of the U.S. or the phasing out of diploma programs abroad. Bridge programs, formal or improvised, are how working nurses upgrade their credentials to keep pace. The structures differ, but the goal is shared, to advance nurses' education and expand their role in patient care.