The question how long is nursing school has been lingering in ur mind and it’s about time you know it as this article is well structured for you to know all the necessary information about nursing school duration.
If you’re considering a career as a nurse, you may be curious about how long it takes to finish a nursing program. Since several variables might impact how long you learn anything, the answer is not straightforward.
It’s important to know what degrees of nursing education are offered and which disciplines of nursing you’d like to study. This will help you to estimate how long you may expect to spend in school.
The first step for anyone who wants to become a nurse is to get a degree in nursing.
Nursing school is where you learn the required skills you need to do your job as a nurse. You learn in the classroom and even as you do the job.
There are many ways to get the education you need to become a nurse, so the length of time it takes to finish nursing school depends on the degree or certificate you want and how dedicated you are to finishing your education on time.
How much time is required to become a nurse?
Depending on the type of degree a potential candidate chooses to pursue, being a nurse could take them 2-4 years.
The most popular path to becoming a registered nurse is the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which typically requires two years of study (or even less if you choose the accelerated degree program).
The several educational paths that can help you become a nurse are listed below, along with how long each one takes. These are, of course, merely basic recommendations that are based on the assumption that you will be a full-time nursing school student.
Types of Nursing Degrees and their Duration
Below are the types of nursing degrees and their various duration you should check out.
1. Nursing Diploma or Certificate
A nursing diploma takes 1- 3 Years for you to acquire a Nursing Certificate or Diploma. Hospitals or technical and community institutions directly provide nursing diploma and certificate programs.
The courses in nursing diploma programs are more concentrated on nursing areas of study than the general education subjects you would take as part of a nursing degree, which is how the curriculum differs from nursing degree programs.
One advantage of a nursing diploma over a nursing degree is that you typically spend much more time in a clinical setting than in a classroom, which can speed up your ability to acquire relevant on-the-job experience.
Depending on the state you live in, a nursing diploma program will help you pass the NCLEX-PN exam so you can become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a licensed vocational nurse (LVN).
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Employers are more likely to choose applicants with at least an ADN degree as nursing degrees are becoming less popular as the profession becomes more demanding and sophisticated.
Another disadvantage is that nursing diploma programs might take just as long as ADN programs, but you just graduate with a certificate rather than a degree.
2. Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
A two-year nursing degree called the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is designed to get students ready to take the NCLEX-RN test.
The ADN coursework concentrates on nursing-specific themes as well as general education courses and combines classroom instruction with real-world experience in a clinical setting, much like a nursing diploma program.
Employers prefer applicants with an ADN over nursing diplomas since the education is regarded as being more rigorous and in-depth.
ADNs are an excellent first step toward a nursing career, and many people use them as stepping stones for further degrees.
Using an ADN to secure entry-level nursing work and then utilizing their employer’s tuition reimbursement schemes to pay for a higher degree is another typical tactic.
3. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Getting a BSN can take you 4-5 years. As the pinnacle of nursing education, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is increasingly being demanded by companies for entry-level roles.
This is due to the perception that a BSN degree program is more thorough than an ADN or nursing diploma.
BSN programs include advanced nursing courses like leadership, nursing informatics, research, community, and public health in addition to the core nursing courses taught in the ADN.
Students who earn a BSN degree have more professional options, better starting salaries, and more chances to progress in their careers.
Before selecting which program to enroll in, it is important to take into account the fact that the majority of leadership positions in the nursing field call for a BSN degree.
4. Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
One of the highest degrees of nursing education is the Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN), which qualifies RNs to work as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
It takes approximately 6 years to obtain a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) certificate.
You must have obtained your BSN, meet the prerequisite undergraduate GPA (usually 3.0 or higher), and possess both academic and professional letters of recommendation to be admitted into an MSN degree program.
Advanced coursework in subjects including physiology/pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, healthcare policy and ethics, and concepts in nursing management is part of the course curriculum for MSN degree programs.
Depending on the nursing specialty you want to pursue, there are also further specialized courses available.
Obtaining an MSN degree paves the way for one to work in nursing in management, administrative, and managerial capacities as well as to become a Nurse Practitioner.
5. Nursing Bridge Programs
A variety of nursing “bridge” programs have been created to assist nurses who are currently working in the profession to enhance their careers by getting more education, in addition to the traditional nursing school degree path.
These courses provide a quick route to earning a nursing degree. A list of popular bridge programs and their typical completion times may be seen below.
6. LPN to RN
LPN-to-RN bridge programs are made to assist LPNs in becoming registered nurses by helping them get ready for the NCLEX-RN exam. These come in the form of programs leading to either an LPN-to-ADN or LPN-to-BSN degree.
By offering the courses required to earn the desired nursing degree and getting students ready for the NCLEX-RN, these programs seek to “bridge” the gap between the two career levels.
7. RN to BSN
The RN-to-BSN bridge program is intended for registered nurses who already hold an ADN degree and want to advance their careers by earning a BSN.
These programs take into account the prior expertise that ADNs have, allowing them to finish the program in as little as one year.
These bridge programs can be a compelling alternative for students who would prefer to begin working as an ADN nurse before committing to a BSN degree program because hospitals occasionally have tuition reimbursement schemes. It takes one year to complete this RN to BSN program.
8. BSN to MSN
BSN nurses who want to expand their careers and get an advanced nursing degree can enroll in BSN-to-MSN bridge programs.
Prospective candidates must possess a current RN license, have earned a BSN degree, meet GPA standards, and many programs want letters of recommendation.
Evidence-based practice, patient care, and advanced health assessment are all covered in the program.
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Graduates have met the educational criteria for nurse practitioners and other advanced nursing practice professions after finishing the program.
Note: The time taken to complete this program is one year.
Summary
Nursing school is a lengthy commitment that demands sacrifice and devotion to complete, just like everything important.
For the majority of people, attending nursing school is a wise investment because it opens the door to a profession with a promising future.
Any aspiring nurse who wants to become a certified RN must pass the NCLEX-RN exam, regardless of the educational route they choose.
The earlier you start studying for the test, the better, as passing this exam is said to be challenging.
