It sounds like your friend is getting an associates in nursing, so it’s a 2-year degree that lets her test to be an RN. There’s also a bachelors of nursing (typically 4 years) that is also an RN when it’s all said and done, but different jobs have different requirements so it’s slightly different in terms of what they generally end up doing. The bachelors will usually qualify you for any “nursing” job.
Here (in Texas) the other nursing option is called an LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse, same as the LPN @ANef_is_Enuf listed) which is a whole different set of jobs typically. As I understand it, it tends to be more slated towards caring for people rather than treating people who are sick.
I believe the LVN is what you’d get at most trade schools, but they could tell you for sure with a quick phone call. Generally any RN position is going to require at least a 2 year degree from a university/college.
The one other option that I see some trade schools advertise is a medical tech. It’s usually a quicker program since a specific degree generally isn’t required for the positions. They technically have many of the same duties as a nurse but usually without the autonomy. I’ve known a couple of folks that started there to see if the medical profession was something they’d enjoy.
There are some great nurses here on Fluther, so hopefully they can give you more on the differences in jobs available for each, but those are the basics.