How Long Does Nursing School Take? A Comprehensive Guide
A career in nursing offers a plethora of benefits and enjoyment. However, before stepping into the field filled with satisfaction, you may ask yourself some questions. One such question is, “How long does it take to become a nurse?” The answer can be different based on the career path one chooses, the degree one wants, and how fast they are willing to finish studies. In this guide, we will look at the different nursing programs that you can join.
Nursing Degrees Summary
There are several levels of nursing education leading to different career paths. Let’s find out more about them:
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): This is the quickest way to begin in the field of nursing. CNAs support RNs and LPNs in caring for patients.
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN): LPNs or LVNs are certified or licensed nurses who assist in basic medical care. They are subordinate to RNs and physicians.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): ADNs will train and prepare you to be registered with ANCC. Training for this is shorter compared to a BSN.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): Getting this degree increases the number of opportunities available once one graduates. Oftentimes, getting this degree is a prerequisite for advanced jobs.
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): Getting this Masters degree is recommended for individuals who want to become a specialist or a nurse practitioner.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or PhD: These are the two most advanced degrees in the field of nursing. DNP is based on clinical practice while a PhD focuses on academic research.
What Is The Duration Of Nursing School?
It would be good to know how long a nursing degree of your choice would take, for this will assist you in planning your career in the healthcare sector. Most students spend 2-3 years but there are various types of nursing degrees available. The exact duration may vary depending on the specific program and the timetable.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
It also has the shortest training time because CNA often takes the least amount of time. Most CNA Programs last about 4 to 12 weeks. It consists of both the theory of the classroom as well as practical work. After completing training, there is a state exam that learners must pass to get a certification. The duties and responsibilities of a CNA include working in hospitals or nursing homes – in 2022 the average annual income had Alexandria at approximately $30,290 as per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
The duration of LVN or LPN programs is 12 to 18 months. These programs are coordinated and offered in community colleges or technical schools. These programs combine theory and practice. You are also required to take an NCLEX-PN exam after finishing the program to get a license. LPNs and LVNs have the responsibility of providing patient care, and their median annual wage was stated to be $48,070 as of 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
An ADN program can be completed in 2 to 3 years. Community colleges have these programs and prepare you to become an RN. After getting a degree, the candidates are required to pass NCLEX-RN to be able to practice. According to the 2022 statistics by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs with an ADN earn a median annual wage of $77,600.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Normally it takes four years to complete a traditional BSN program. This degree also provides more elaborate training as compared to an ADN. In case you are already holding an ADN, you may join an RN to BSN program, the length for this is around 1 to 2 years. If a bachelor’s degree is in another specialization, VCU also has accelerated BSN courses that take a period from 12 to 18 months. It’s also observed that Nurses with a BSN get paid and hired more frequently for jobs. In 2022 RNs with a BSN reported a similar median wage to the $77,600 mark but BSN graduates aim for higher positions in the hierarchy very quickly as compared to ADN holders.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
MSN program duration usually varies from 1.5 years to 3 depending upon whether one is enrolled on a full-time basis or a part-time basis. In any case, a BSN degree is an enrollment requirement to complete the MSN program as these students may be offered Nurse practitioners, nursing educators, or nurse leaders. As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average NP wage annually stood at 124680 US $ in 2022.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or PhD
Internationally, DNP or PhD programs require an average of 3 to 6 years, depending on the program and study hours. DNP and PhD programs are considered the highest level of nursing education and with them, one can lead in healthcare policy, research, or advanced clinical practice. In fact, as of the year 2022, nurses with these advanced educations are remunerated over a hundred thousand dollars a year with such salary roles in the educative and research fields being the most lucrative.
Factors That Determine the Duration of Nursing School
These figures however may not apply to you as several factors may determine how long nursing school may take for you:
Full-Time vs. Part-Time
Conceptually, enrolling in nursing school full-time is the quickest route to getting your degree. However, for most students, specifically working people or those with families, this is not as practical, and many choose part-time studies. However, though part-time programs take longer, they provide a lot of room for flexibility.
Accelerated Programs
You can also think about an accelerated nursing program if you have a prior degree in another discipline. Such programs take a relatively longer period and are rigorous in their structure, but they do help you obtain your nursing degree in a shorter time.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites It is troubling to know that in some nursing programs, you are not able to start unless you have completed underlying courses such as Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy, and others. These courses however can act as an extension of your education because they will require you to spend extra time to get them done.
State and School Requirements
State and School Requirements Similarly, other states and schools will still have their own requirements regarding clinical hours, coursework as well as exams. Such requirements will impact the duration taken to graduate.
The Importance of Clinical Hours
The Importance of Clinical Hours In every nursing program, there have to be several clinical hours that are completed. These are done in practice settings in the healthcare environment to enable the student to integrate the theory learned in the classroom. The number of clinical hours that need to be completed varies with different nursing programs and different states. For example:
- LPN/LVN programs typically require 500 to 750 clinical hours.
- ADN programs may require 700 to 800 clinical hours.
- BSN programs often require 800 to 1,000 clinical hours.
These hours are typically done in bits, in between consecutive semesters in different hospitals, clinics, or any other healthcare organization.
Ways To Graduate From Nursing School Faster
Once you decide to become a nurse, it’s understandable that you view the shortest time possible to wait to start practicing nursing. Below are a few recommendations to achieve that.
Preregister Before Making, An Application
Prerequisite courses are common for nursing school applicants. This could mean that you can go straight into the nursing curriculum.
Join An Accelerated Program
An accelerated program is one if taken will be intense but you save some time at the end. This is ideal when you have a degree in a different field.
Search For Online Possibilities
In some nursing programs, courses are available online, which means students can take their classes anytime they want. However, courses with clinical practice cannot be done online.
Seek for Exemption For Previous Work Experience
If you have worked in a healthcare facility or have any prior qualifications, many courses can be exempted to reduce the course completion time.
Financial Considerations
Financial Considerations Let’s begin with a look into the broader financial viability of Nursing School. As the cost of nursing programs is a huge area of concern for most people, it is best to price the schemes accordingly. Depending on the number of programs, locations, and reasonable factors, here is a rough estimate of how much would be the profits made for investing in the program. Here’s how much something along the lines of these programs can be expected to cost:
- Programs for CNAs cost between $1,200 to $4,000.
- LPN and LVN programs average costs between $10,000 to 15,000 dollars
- For ADN courses, 6,000 dollars to 20,000 dollars is an acceptable approximation for costs.
- Basic state nursing programs are expected to cost around $40000 to $100000 approximately.
- Basics MSN programs are priced at $35,000 to 70,000$
- The starting prices of DNP or Ph.D. courses that involve nursing practitioners go anywhere between $50,000 all the way up to $150,000
So, it is pretty clear that the student population will need to rely on personal scholarships, grants, loans, and even combine all to push the level of funding required so as to attend nursing school. Of course, some employers even offer up to full tuition repayment for any employees who wish to take up a degree in nursing.
The Job Outlook for Nurses
The Job Outlook for Nurses Allowing for time, effort, and the level of risk that one requires to undertake to go through nursing school, the returns on the investment made can be worth it. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurses will see a 6 percent growth in their jobs between 2021 and 2031 which would be growth higher than the average growth rate for most occupations. It has already been shown above that in 2022, the average salary for registered nurses stood at 77600 dollars with the highest earning more than 120000 dollars annually.
Final Thoughts
Completing any nursing course is a journey that takes a specific amount of time depending on the path chosen and the individual’s situation. Whether it is a shorter schedule to obtain a CNA or a DNP training, every level of education in the nursing profession is an important milestone and an asset to one’s future. This awareness of the degree pursued would help one in planning for their education and subsequent practice as a nurse accordingly.
However, the potential benefits of taking this road are far greater, so don’t let the apparent length of the road to becoming a nurse deter you. Rather, the healthcare sector is now in great need, and therefore a nursing career can be achieved very quickly.
