4 answers
Yuridia
Student
Castroville, CA
15
Questions
Asked
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How long did you have to train or study to become a Registered Nurse?
How many years were you in college and university?
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4 answers
Char R.
Registered Nurse
67
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Char’s Answer
Hi Yuridia,
It usually takes about 4 years to get a nursing degree. For some people it may take longer depending on how many classes you take or what college you go to. Some colleges, mostly public colleges, may take a little longer because a lot of students want to be a nurse, which makes the waiting list longer. Nursing schools only take a certain amount of students every year, so it may take a while before you are accepted into a nursing program at that particular school.
The best thing to do if you want to finish sooner is to apply to several nursing schools and choose one that doesn't have a long waiting list. Even if it takes a while to finish, the main thing is that you never give up. Once you finish, you'll be so happy that you won't even think about the amount of time it took.
It usually takes about 4 years to get a nursing degree. For some people it may take longer depending on how many classes you take or what college you go to. Some colleges, mostly public colleges, may take a little longer because a lot of students want to be a nurse, which makes the waiting list longer. Nursing schools only take a certain amount of students every year, so it may take a while before you are accepted into a nursing program at that particular school.
The best thing to do if you want to finish sooner is to apply to several nursing schools and choose one that doesn't have a long waiting list. Even if it takes a while to finish, the main thing is that you never give up. Once you finish, you'll be so happy that you won't even think about the amount of time it took.
Megan Busey
Medical assistant and social worker
38
Answers
Canal Winchester, Ohio
Updated
Megan’s Answer
2 years for an associates degree is required. 4 years for bachelor's. Most employers require bachelor's degrees now.
Chinedum Ogbonna
Nursing
2
Answers
Garland, Texas
Updated
Chinedum’s Answer
How long it takes to become a RN depends on the route. If you are in the USA, you have many routes.
1) become a LPN/LVN which is usually a one year program with high school diploma as the only prerequisite and later go to a private college for your associates degree in nursing .It gets tricky here . You can apply to a private school with the LVN and it will take you between a year and 18 months to get your associate degree in nursing. This route is the fastest but it’s the most expensive because these schools are private schools and don’t require prerequisites. The downside also is that if you want to get your associate degree in a community college or a BSN after the LVN program, you will still need to do the prerequisite courses. This route will help you to start working as a nurse after just one year as a LVN. Most LVNs work in nursing homes, doctors offices and the likes.
2) You can go to a community college, get your prerequisite courses and complete your associate degree there , it’s likely 2 years for the associate degree in nursing. You can now transfer to a university for 2 years for your BSN. This route helps you to get a job with your associate degree while studying for the BSN.
3) Go straight to a University for 4 years and get your BSN and be done with it. This is mostly good for the young ones , no responsibility, just go to school and get your degree.
4) If you have a degree in another field, you can apply for a BSN or higher program. This route will take you between 18months and 3 years based on the prerequisites courses that you are transferring.
1) become a LPN/LVN which is usually a one year program with high school diploma as the only prerequisite and later go to a private college for your associates degree in nursing .It gets tricky here . You can apply to a private school with the LVN and it will take you between a year and 18 months to get your associate degree in nursing. This route is the fastest but it’s the most expensive because these schools are private schools and don’t require prerequisites. The downside also is that if you want to get your associate degree in a community college or a BSN after the LVN program, you will still need to do the prerequisite courses. This route will help you to start working as a nurse after just one year as a LVN. Most LVNs work in nursing homes, doctors offices and the likes.
2) You can go to a community college, get your prerequisite courses and complete your associate degree there , it’s likely 2 years for the associate degree in nursing. You can now transfer to a university for 2 years for your BSN. This route helps you to get a job with your associate degree while studying for the BSN.
3) Go straight to a University for 4 years and get your BSN and be done with it. This is mostly good for the young ones , no responsibility, just go to school and get your degree.
4) If you have a degree in another field, you can apply for a BSN or higher program. This route will take you between 18months and 3 years based on the prerequisites courses that you are transferring.
Christina Birch
Nurse Practitioner
24
Answers
Berkeley, California
Updated
Christina’s Answer
Hello Yuridia,
I started in college in a different major. After my first year, I decided to go to nursing school so it took me 2 more years to get through the prerequisites, then 3 years once I was in Nursing school to get my BS in nursing. I subsequently went back for my MS in nursing and an NP degree.
If you know you want to be a nurse, my strongest recommendation is that you choose a program that offers a BS degree (which is generally 4 years). This will give you further career options down the line. Look at the nursing schools you want to attend. They will let you know what pre-requisites they require to get into their program. This will give you an idea of how many years it will take to reach your goal.
It's a great career!! Good luck.
I started in college in a different major. After my first year, I decided to go to nursing school so it took me 2 more years to get through the prerequisites, then 3 years once I was in Nursing school to get my BS in nursing. I subsequently went back for my MS in nursing and an NP degree.
If you know you want to be a nurse, my strongest recommendation is that you choose a program that offers a BS degree (which is generally 4 years). This will give you further career options down the line. Look at the nursing schools you want to attend. They will let you know what pre-requisites they require to get into their program. This will give you an idea of how many years it will take to reach your goal.
It's a great career!! Good luck.