Bachelor Of Science In Nursing
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is considered the gold standard for nursing education and many employers are now requiring a BSN degree for their entry-level positions. The reason for this is that a BSN degree program is seen as more in-depth and comprehensive than an ADN or nursing diploma. In addition to the core nursing coursework taught in the ADN, BSN programs also incorporate advanced nursing courses such as leadership, nursing informatics, research, community, and public health.
Students that graduate with a BSN have more career choices, better starting pay, and more opportunity for career advancement. Most leadership positions in the nursing field require a BSN degree so this is important to consider before deciding which program to enroll in.
How Long It Takes:
Is There A Stigma Around Nurses Becoming Mds
There has always been a stigma surrounding doctors and nurses transitioning to this profession. A decade ago very few nurses would leave bedside nursing to enter medical school but now nurses, doctors, and medical schools are more accepting.
While there is still a slight stigma, it is important for nurses in medical school to remember their training, bedside manner, and compassion towards the patients, but also remember that MDs look at patients with a separate set of objectives and these objectives are what saves lives.
How Long It Takes To Become A Nurse Through A Traditional Nursing Track
For students interested in pursuing a traditional, non-accelerated nursing education, youll probably find that earning your bachelors degree in nursing takes approximately four years. Traditional nursing tracks are ideal for first-degree students, as well as those who are comfortable with a longer timeframe as they pursue this degree and new career path. Often, as with CTXs traditional BSN track, the curriculum is broken up into pre-nursing courses during the first half of the track and in-depth nursing courses during the second half of the track. If youve already gained some college experience or earned a non-nursing bachelors degree, however, an ABSN track might be a better fit for you.
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Jobs Requiring 2 Years Or 4 Years In Nursing School
Registered nurses are a step above LPNs and can handle tasks that LPNs may not be allowed to, like distributing medication. You can become an RN in two ways:
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Earn an ADN. An Associate Degree Nursing, or ADN, requires two years in school you can complete these programs at a technical or community college.
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Earn a BSN. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or BSN, typically requires four years at a university, or however long it takes to complete the necessary credits or coursework.
While getting an ADN requires less time in nursing school, some employers may prefer or require nurses with a BSN degree. Youll also need a BSN if you wish to pursue a masters in nursing.
Differences in nursing salaries between ADNs and RNs are minimal. All RNs must pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
If you have a bachelors degree but not a BSN and want to become a registered nurse, accelerated BSN programs are available. These typically last less than two years.
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The path to becoming a nurse typically takes two to four years. However, your timeline will greatly depend on the types of degrees and certifications you pursue, as well as your field of interest.
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Bachelor’s Degree In Nursing
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing often takes four years to complete. This degree is ideal for those who want to learn the full professional scope of nursing as a career choice. There may be additional job and salary opportunities at this level as well.
Registered Nurses who have earned bachelors degrees are more likely to be employed in hospital settings, rather than medical offices or other types of care facilities. Becoming an RN with a bachelors degree can also mean higher entry-level salary requirements and further educational opportunities down the road.
LPNs or RNs who are seeking a bachelors degree may be eligible for LPN-BSN or RN-BSN programs, which typically take one to three years to complete. Because these candidates already have prior education and licensure in nursing, they can put those prior credits toward their bachelors degree and finish faster than a traditional 4-year program.
Accelerated BSN programs are another option for career changers who may have a bachelors degree in another field and would like to become a nurse. State-approved accelerated BSN programs – like 4-year BSN programs – allow the graduate to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam at the end of their program.
How Long Is An Associates Degree In Nursing Program
Earning an Associates Degree in Nursing is the shortest path to becoming a Registered Nurse. Completing an ADN program generally takes two to three years. Though ADNs do not have the same training in leadership and research that Registered Nurses who have earned BSNs do, those who choose the ADN path learn the same nursing procedures and work in the same settings.
Programs are offered through community colleges and can be taken online or in person, on a full time or part-time basis. Most ADN students will have completed at least 700 clinical hours before they graduate from their program.
Once you have completed your ADN program you will be prepared for and eligible to take the Registered Nurse licensure exam known as the NCLEX-RN . First-time test takers can schedule themselves to take the test within thirty days of eligibility, and the test itself takes just four hours to complete.
Some states allow test takers to get their test results within 48 hours after taking the exam, though official results are mailed from the state board of nursing within two months of taking it.
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How Long Is Nursing School Your Timeline To Becoming A Nurse
By Kirsten Slyter on 08/17/2020
You may know that college isnt always a cut-and-dried four-year journey. There are different options for different aspirations. And even those can depend on your specific college and program. Youre excited about nursing, but you want to know what to expectso how long is nursing school?
Whether you are hoping for a quicker route to hit the floor running, or are interested in obtaining advanced credentials, the amount of time youll spend in nursing school can vary greatly. Once you have your ideal timeline in mind, see if it matches up with your career objectives.
Nursing has several degree options, and each one is unique in its offerings. Weve outlined your options to show you how long you can expect nursing school to take. Weve also talked to experts who have been in your shoes so as to highlight the different experiences of nursing school. Ready to dive in?
How Long Does Nursing School Take To Complete
The field of nursing makes up a substantial number of jobs in the medical field and healthcare industry. In fact, the United States federal government predicts that over the next several years, the nursing sector will add at least 200,000 jobs per year. When it comes to training to be a nurse, many students ask, How long is nursing school?
When you begin any academic program, its normal to want to learn more about career options and job availability based upon your year of completion. Because each training program is different based on the education provider and the specific program you choose, these options may change from year to year.
Regardless, with more than 3.8 million registered nurses in the United States, this is a popular field that many individuals wish to pursue. In this article, youll learn more about the levels of nursing degrees you can earn and what sets each of them apart. Youll also learn about unique nursing school programs that are available as you advance in your education and professional career.
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Is There A Demand For Nurses In Canada
Yes, there is a demand for nurses in Canada, Canada is facing a shortage of nurses, majorly due to aging for a good number of the nurses in the workforce, it is estimated that by 2022, if something is not done, Canada will fall short of almost 60,000 equivalent registered nurses according to the Canadian nurse association. What this means is that there is not a better time to chase a career in nursing in Canada than now.
Is A Bsn Degree Better Than An Adn Degree
It depends. If you are looking for an entry-level nursing job at a hospital or nursing home, for example, an ADN can help you get your foot in the door. An associate degree also takes about half the amount of time to earn as a bachelors degree, so if you want to get working sooner, an ADN might be a good choice.
RNs with a BSN, on the other hand, may make more money and often hold positions with more responsibility.
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Don’t Forget You Can Re
After completing all those prerequisites, volunteer hours, and a having high GPA, you still didn’t get in. Don’t worry, you are allowed to reapply for next semester.
Try to get an idea of what can be improved in your application. Do you need more healthcare volunteer hours or a better grade in a class? Make some adjustments and the next application will be better.
Earn A Bsn Or An Adn Degree

A four-year BSN degree offers an in-depth education in multiple disciplines and training in leadership, interpersonal communication, and clinical nursing. A two-year ADN degree covers nursing fundamentals and offers the fastest track to becoming a registered nurse, aside from an accelerated BSN program which lets those who hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field graduate in as little as one year.
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How Hard Is Nursing School
Nursing schools hold their students to a high standard. After all, a nurse has someone elses life in their hands. Be prepared to study hard and learn in new environments as you work toward becoming a nurse.
You may be wondering how much time you will spend a week studying in nursing school. In general, the amount of time you spend studying should be about double the amount of hours you spend in a class.
For example: If you are in a 3-hour pharmacology class, expect to spend about 6 hours a week studying its material.
In nursing school, you will take different learning assessments like tests and quizzes. You may also take a standardized test at the end of a course, such as theHESI exam. These tests are developed to prepare you for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses , anexam you will take after graduating to become certified as a registered nurse.
Here are six more nursing school challenges you should know about.
Bachelors Degree In Nursing
Depending on your prior educational level, obtaining your BSN can take anywhere from 12 months to four years.
Shortly, there are three possible scenarios for the length of your BSN studies:
Read more extensively about how long it takes to get your BSN.
Discover the differences between ADN and BSN in order to decide which degree fits your career plans.
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Earn A Bachelor’s Degree
First and foremost, you must already have an undergraduate bachelors degree. If the degree is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing then most of the coursework will be sufficient as prerequisites for medical school.
If you have a degree in another non-science field, it is important to take notice of all prerequisite coursework.
If you don’t have a bachelors degree – this would be the first step in becoming an MD.
Associate Degrees In Nursing
You may pursue nursing as a career with an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing or an Associates Degree in Nursing . These degrees are very similar in curriculum and can take somewhere between two and three years to complete, though you may spend up to four years in an associate nursing program if you attend part time.An Associates Degree in nursing can qualify you to take the NCLEX-RN exam, which is required for licensure. It is important to make sure that the program you enter is accredited, though, as some state boards of nursing require this as well.
If you wish to reduce the amount of time and tuition required to become a nurse, an associates degree program may be a good route to consider. Keep in mind, though, that some employers are moving toward requiring nurses to be Bachelors degree holders before they are hired.
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Managing Nursing School Debt
The biggest benefit to spending more time in school is a better nursing salary: LPNs have a median salary of $46,240, but that number for a nurse with an MSN such as a nurse anesthetist is $113,930 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
But more time in school also likely means more nursing student debt.
Nurses in graduate programs finish school with an average debt of $47,321, according to an analysis of Department of Education data. Thats on top of any undergraduate debt you have.
No matter how long you plan to spend in nursing school, take the following steps to manage any potential debt:
What Is The Average Salary Of A Nurse
There is a nationwide shortage of nurses. The median annual wage for registered nurses was $73,300 in May 2019. In some parts of the country, the starting salary may be even higher. Because of the acute nursing shortage, many employers are paying signing bonuses to new nurses or paying down a portion of the new nurses nursing school loans. Travel nurses can often earn a significantly higher salary. See more.
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How Long Does It Take To Become A Registered Nurse
On average, an incoming nursing student can expect to become a licensed Registered Nurse in roughly three years. This is after a student fully completes the academic program at an accredited college or university.
If you are interested in becoming an RN but already possess a bachelors degree in another field, you may be eligible for an accelerated program. These programs may accept general education credits earned from other degrees, thus eliminating several semesters worth of coursework. When you pursue an accelerated nursing degree, the estimated time until completion is reduced to only 18 months.
No matter which program you choose, becoming an RN requires successful completion and a passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination . In order to sit for the exam, students must apply with a state-level nursing board. Preparation is key, and the ability to pass this crucial test may play a factor in how long it takes to achieve RN certification.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

This final top specialty certification requires the most training and allows recipients to administer anesthesia to patients for surgeries. Each applicant must have a masters degree or higher from a nurse anesthesia program accredited by the Council on Accreditation, a valid registered nurse license, and at least one year of experience working in critical care before they can apply. Once they have these credentials, theyll have to pass the CRNA exam.
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How Long Does It Take To Become An Rn If You Are Already An Lpn
It depends on whether you want to obtain an ADN degree or a BSN degree. Both degrees offer bridge programs for LPNs to obtain their degree at an accelerated pace. The quickest and most common way to become an RN if you are already an LPN is to take an LPN-to-ADN bridge program. In this case, you can earn your ADN degree in as little as 1 year which will allow you to sit for the NCLEX-RN.