How Long is Nursing School?

Are you on the fence about attending nursing school but interested in pursuing a registered nurse (RN) career? Do you want to know how long it takes to be a nurse?

Becoming a registered nurse takes a lot of time, effort, and study, but nurses generally agree that the rewards are worth the sacrifices. Those who choose the nursing field are rewarded with the opportunity to aid others at crucial moments.

Establishing your career goals will help you concentrate on your professional growth, demonstrate to potential employers that you are dedicated to your work, and facilitate future planning. In addition, you can either anticipate questions from potential employers about your professional aspirations or proactively bring them up. So let’s dive into the different kinds of nurses and the education level needed: 

There are three types of nurses: those without a degree, those with a degree, and those with an advanced degree. Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are two examples of nurses that do not have a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) are considered degree nurses (BSN). Professional nurses with advanced degrees, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), are known as “advanced practice nurses” (DNP).

Different nursing programs provide various courses of study. We’ve laid out your choices so you can understand how long nursing school might take. 

Ready to jump into the details?

Length of Nursing School

How long it takes to get a nursing degree or certification depends on your chosen program and how committed you are to completing your work on time. A four-year program is required to become a registered nurse (RN). However, a two-year Associate of Science in Nursing (ADN) program is the most popular entry point into nursing (or even less if you choose the accelerated degree program).

In most states, one year of study at a hospital, technical school, or community college is required to earn a license as a practical nurse.

Let’s look at an overview of the duration of the different levels of nursing education:

Degree	Time to Complete
LPN/LVN Program	12-18 months
Nursing Diploma	12-36 months
Associate Degree in Nursing	24 months
Bachelor of Science in Nursing	48 months
Master of Science in Nursing	66-72 months
Master of Science in Nursing	84-90 months

Practical Nursing (PN) or Vocational Nursing (VN) programs

Practical nurses help doctors and other medical professionals by giving patients basic nursing and medical care. Because of the dynamic nature of patient care, a practical nurse’s responsibilities might range widely, depending on the setting in which they work.

The length of the program is typically 12-18 months. Moreover, medical and surgical nursing, maternal nursing, pediatrics, psychiatric nursing, pharmacology, and geriatrics are covered in-depth, along with other nursing and clinical practice fundamentals.

Practical nurses only need to go to school for one year to get started, while RNs need at least a two-year or three-year diploma. So if you want to work in the field before committing to a four-year program to become a registered nurse, becoming a licensed practical nurse may be your best option.

Hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, and doctor’s offices are just places where licensed vocational nurses work. Your LVN career could take you anywhere, from a patient’s home to a classroom. Although many LVNs work full-time, some do so on a part-time basis. Shifts typically encompass both weekday and weekend hours. Nurses often stand for long periods and work shifts lasting eight hours.

There are two names for the same profession: licensed vocational nurse and licensed practical nurse. California and Texas use the term “LVN,” while the rest of the country uses LPN.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs

Nursing assistants help registered nurses and other healthcare workers serve patients and the general public. It’s also an excellent first step toward earning your RN license. Typically, these programs are for 2–3 years, and the curriculum includes courses like anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, nursing skills, and nursing research. 

DNs are generalists who help patients and doctors with various tasks, such as getting medical histories, giving out medications, setting up diagnostic tests, teaching patients, and helping with physical exams.

The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is a 2-year program that gives you the education you need to become a nurse. Before a state gives out a nursing license, a graduate must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs

The curriculum of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program typically spans four years and includes both general education and nursing-specific coursework. If you want to make a real difference in patient care as a nurse and enter a dynamic and constantly developing field, this is the best education you can get.

If you have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, you will be eligible for many different types of entry-level employment in patient care, including those in management and leadership. This degree will also lay the groundwork for further nursing education.

Licensing requirements include passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). People with a BSN usually work with other medical professionals to coordinate care, do physical exams and collect patient histories, give health counseling and education, dispense medicine, and carry out additional treatment procedures.

As a part of their curriculum, these are the courses covered: 

• Professional Nursing
• Health assessment
• Family Nursing
• Leadership
• Medical and surgical care
• Nursing management
• Public health
• Psychosocial nursing

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is a graduate-level nursing degree with the advanced knowledge and hands-on experience you need to be a good nurse leader. For those who have already earned a BSN, there is a wide variety of Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs available in both clinical and non-clinical areas of concentration. The average duration of one of these courses is two years.

The curriculum also covers advanced nursing, research, healthcare systems, management, and leadership. Nurses with master’s degrees are seen as leaders and role models. MSN-level nurses are needed to teach new nurses and other healthcare workers and to monitor how daily patient care standards are being met.

Some programs require passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), while others require certification in a particular area of nursing.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a practice-focused degree meant to educate future leaders in advanced nursing. A nurse with a Professional Doctor of Nursing Practice degree is an expert with a doctorate focusing on practice.

Some programs require students to write a thesis or dissertation and teach them advanced nursing skills, research methods, healthcare systems, leadership, and management. In addition, some schools require graduates to have passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). In contrast, others need graduates to have earned certification in a particular subspecialty of nursing.

 Common positions held by DNP graduates include:

• Nurse practitioner
• Certified nurse midwife
• Registered nurse anesthetist
• Advanced practice registered nurse

These programs usually take two years to complete. However, obtaining a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is an excellent way for professionals to keep up with the ever-evolving healthcare sector and shape the future of care to benefit patients.

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Conclusion

Nursing school is a long-term commitment that requires sacrifice and dedication, but the rewards are well worth the work. Attending nursing school is a wise decision for most people since it can lead to a rewarding career in a growing industry with excellent job prospects.

To become a registered nurse (RN), you must pass the NCLEX-RN exam. This test is given to all candidates, regardless of their educational path. However, since this is a challenging test, the sooner you start studying, the better. A four-year program is required to become a registered nurse. 

Depending on your background and education, you can enter nursing in various ways. Think about your long-term goals in the field and map out a strategy to get there. There is much room for personal and financial growth in the nursing field. According to the WHO, there may be a need for an additional 5.7 million nurses worldwide by the year 2030.