If you’ve read some of my other posts on nursing school, you know that nursing school is by no means a one size fits all situation. Between considering the various degrees, locations, and prices, choosing a nursing school can be extremely overwhelming. But what if one of your biggest concerns is how long it takes to get through nursing school? What if you know you want to be a nurse but aren’t sure if you can make the time commitment? How long is nursing school really?
You’re probably sick of me saying this by now, but …. it depends. Generally, nursing school will take you anywhere from 12 months to 4 years to get through. I know that sounds crazy, but the good news is this: You have SO many options when it comes to choosing a nursing program!
If you want the fastest AND the cheapest option
Consider LVN / LPN programs, ADN programs, or find the cheapest Accelerated BSN program possible
Length to complete: 12-16 months
I know I’ve cited their information before, but NurseJournal.org has a great article on the fastest paths to becoming a nurse. Licensed Vocational Nurse (also known as LVN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs CAN get you there the fastest. Please note there are always exceptions in any of the cases we discuss. You can read more about how long it takes to become an LVN here. Some important things to consider before choosing an LVN program:
- Your responsibilities will differ than that of a Registered Nurse after graduation. Though it varies by institution, LVNs where I work are not allowed to administer certain medications or put in orders.
- You will take a different NCLEX (you will not be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN, but rather you will take the NCLEX-VN.)
- Your pay will likely be less than that of a Registered Nurse (RN)
- You MAY have slightly fewer employment opportunities
Your other option (and truly the option I would recommend) is an Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) program. If you’re not sure exactly what an ADN is, check out this article. Getting an ADN degree may open more doors for you than a LVN or LPN degree. You will take the NCLEX-RN, get paid more than a LVN, have more responsibility, and always have TONS of options for ADN-to-BSN programs if that’s the path you wish to take later on.
In both cases, you can finish these programs in as little as 12-16 months. The price tags for these (unless you go private) will ALMOST always be less than an Accelerated BSN program.
As with anything else in life, there are some downsides to going these routes, and I would argue that you should definitely decide if you want to go the LVN/LPN route or the ADN route, as these are definitely not the same degree. There is a great deal of awesome information about the difference between LPNs and ADNs online. You can read more about the differences between some common nursing degrees here.
That being said, there are tons of “bridge” programs for when the wanting to go back to school bug hits you after you graduate. LVN-ADN, LVN-BSN, and ADN-BSN programs all exist. My advice? Think of the degree you started with and the degree you want. Type it into Google followed by “bridge program.” I guarantee you will find at least a few results to choose from. If you go this route, please keep in mind that enrolling in a bridge program will obviously add additional time to your nursing school training. If you know you want to get a BSN, getting a BSN from the beginning might be your best bet (if finances allow).
Long story short? I would first research ADN programs, and then very (very) cheap accelerated BSN programs. If you go the accelerated BSN route and price is a factor, please PLEASE choose a public school.
If you want the fastest option but aren’t as concerned about price
Consider an accelerated BSN or accelerated MSN (MEPN) program
Length to complete: 16-24 (ish) months
Unfortunately, these days it seems like nursing schools will do anything for a dollar. People pay ridiculous amounts of money to get through their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees quickly. If you feel like this is a good option for you, that is totally okay. No judgement here at all! I say this because I was definitely one of them. I personally wanted to get a Masters Degree so I could eventually teach other nursing students. After high school, 4.5 years of college, and a 24 month MSN program, I can pretty confidently say that I NEVER want to go back to school … and I’m glad I stopped at a Masters Degree!
If you just want to get through nursing school quickly and graduate with a BSN, I would definitely recommend an accelerated BSN program. Accelerated BSN programs generally take between 16-24 months to complete.
Why would you choose an accelerated BSN over an ADN degree? There are some key differences between ADN and BSN prepared nurses.
Another option to consider is Masters Entry in Nursing Programs (MEPN) programs. Like accelerated BSN programs, these programs are designed for those with an undergraduate degree in another area. So what’s the key difference? Instead of graduating with a BSN, you graduate with an MSN. These programs are generally a bit longer (21-24+ months) and require quite a bit more coursework and clinical hours than an accelerated BSN program. As someone who has gone through one of these programs, I really loved the extra hands-on time and the emphasis on being a Masters-prepared nurse.
If you know you want to be a nurse and don’t really care how long it takes
Consider any of the above options or a 4-year nursing program
Length to complete: 12 months – 4 years
Great news! You can choose any of the above options. If you’re just graduating high school and know you want to be a nurse, you should look into 4-year nursing programs. These programs allow you to have the college experience while working towards your Registered Nurse (RN) degree. Just look into any university you are interested in and make sure they have a nursing program.
One key thing to consider when determining how long your journey to becoming a nurse will take
If you are planning on completing nursing school part time, it can take almost double the time to complete your degree. Some programs do not let you go through the program part time and expect you to be a full-time student for the duration of the program. Before choosing a path to nursing, you should consider your other life commitments (such as family, if you have a job while working, etc).
If you need to take prerequisites before applying to a nursing program, this can add a few months to your journey. Most nursing schools will require that you take certain classes before being accepted!
As you can see, the beauty of nursing is that you have options! Do what’s best for you and take comfort in knowing that the end result is the same: You WILL be a nurse. How you get there doesn’t matter!
Leave a Reply