Just to clarify (or add more to the confusion) a DNP is a “clinical” doctorate and is the terminal degree for clinicians. NP’s, CRNA’s, Nurse Midwives, etc. can all hold a DNP. Actually, I believe most CRNA programs are now DNP programs.
CNS - clinical nurse specialists - I rarely see them around any more. I don’t think many younger nurses go this route. They were specialists in their particular field like cardiac nursing, ER, etc.
APRN - advanced practice registered nurse. In some states (like NJ) NP’s use this in their signature line. In PA, it is CRNP that is used (certified registered nurse practitioner, so as not to get confused with other APRN’s). Each state decides the particular designation. NP’s, CNM’s, CNS and CRNA’s all fall under the APRN umbrella.
CNM - Certified Nurse Midwife
BSN - Bachelor’s of science in nursing. One can hold a BSN but NOT be an RN (registered nurse) if they didn’t sit for and pass the NCLEX.
Education-wise, I believe the BSN’s do a community/public health rotation and a nursing leadership rotation for a semester while the ADN’s do not (I might be wrong about that but that used to be the big differences many years ago). I believe the ADN’s also take less research and social science courses. It used to be that only BSN’s could advance to leadership roles (like nurse manager, etc.).
There also was a big push for all RN’s to obtain their BSN within so many years of being a nurse. Hospitals might give extra incentives (like Clinical Ladder advancement for extra pay, tuition reimbursement, etc.) for nurses to get their BSN. Some hospitals (mainly Magnet-designated hospitals) would only hire BSN nurses. Ever since Covid hit, I believe most hospitals lightened up on the BSN trend and were happy to get nurses at all.
Clinically, the patient should not see a difference in the care provided by an ADN vs BSN registered nurse. They both must pass the same board exam.