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how many years do u have to go through college for nursing

how many years do you have to go through college for nursing?

Thank you comment icon Well that depends. Do you want to be a RN, LPN, there are several types of nursing you would just needs to do some reasearch on the different types and then you will be able to decide what will work best for you. I hope that this information helps. Caroline V

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Michael’s Answer

Hi Aya,

There are different types of Nurses - RN (Registered Nurse), LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse), CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), etc. There are different avenues for Nurses to serve - Emergency Room (ER), Pediatric, Floor, etc. My Mother retired as a Registered Nurse (RN). She was a head RN who looked after patients on the regular floors of the hospital.

RN designation is earned by attending and graduating from a 4 year college program with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. LPN and CNA designations can be earned by attending a 2 year college or vocational program. RNs administer patient medications, treatments and medical and educational advice and information to the patients. Whereas, LPNs and CNAs provide basic nursing care and comfortability to the patient. CNAs work under the supervision of the RNs and LPNs.

According to Johnson and Johnson, here is a link for Nursing Specialties:

https://nursing.jnj.com/specialty

While in high school, one will need to focus on science and math classes to prepare for a nursing career. Physics, chemistry and biology will be the core science courses. For math, algebra, geometry and statistics will be needed. Both concentrations will enable you to focus and refine your analytical skills for research; complex problem solving; investigative and innovative critical thinking; attention to detail; etc.

Other skills that will need to be built upon center around team building, team work and communication. In any work culture, collaboration among team members, staff and partner departments occur on a daily basis. As a nurse, communication is essential and critical when dealing with patients, medical personnel and other hospital staff. A college course in public speaking, communications and English will help with one's communication and writing skills. While in high school, the debate team will provide the opportunity to sharpen communication skills which are backed with research and factual data and information.

A Bachelor of Science (BSN) in Nursing will concentrate more on math and science courses. This will be earned at a college or university for a duration of four years. Clinical experience is gained while in nursing school at a college or university. Physiology, psychology and anatomy are some additional college courses that are required for one to take to become a Registered Nurse (RN).

Here are the Top 10 Best Nursing Schools of 2023 per www.nurse.org:

https://nurse.org/education/top-10-best-nursing-schools/

- Duke University
- Georgetown University
- Johns Hopkins University
- New York University
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Michigan
- University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA)
- University of Washington
- Emory University
- University of Maryland

U.S. News & World Report has additional college listings for the best schools for a Master Degree in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice:

https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-nursing-schools

When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:

- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral

Scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. Scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.

You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.

Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:

https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/

https://www.nchchonors.org/students/awards-scholarships/national-scholarships

Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.

Best wishes for your education and career path in Nursing!
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Marlena’s Answer

Depending on where you go and how you get there determines length of time. Typically an RN (associates degree) is 2 years with 1-2 years of pre-requisites. You can knock down time ifor pre-requisites by taking dual credit college courses in high school, take some online, face to face, through summer, Etc. A bachelors is 4 years. Some teaching hospitals have nursing diploma programs, more hands on, and a few have accelerated (9 month associate degree) programs but only take the best of the best and select few. No matter what, you're looking at 1-3 years minimum to be an RN after passing the NCLEX-RN examination. Go for your dreams, speak with high school and/or college counselors, figure out what program you want to apply to, and find out requirements and what will transfer. Good luck! It takes hard work, dedication, but passion! You'll do great if your heart is in it!

Marlena recommends the following next steps:

High school counselor
College counselor
Nursing diploma programs
Accelerated nursing program
Associate degree nursing
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Keyston’s Answer

I didn't go to college myself, but I can tell you that becoming a nurse usually requires around 2 to 3 years for an associate degree or 4 years for a bachelor's degree. It's important to check with nursing programs to get the most accurate information.
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Nija’s Answer

Hello Aya,

It's wonderful to hear about your aspiration to join the noble profession of nursing. While I'm not a nurse myself, I collaborate closely with them and have gathered insights about the journey to becoming one. Nursing is a truly fulfilling profession, however, it can be challenging at times.

Typically, the journey to becoming a registered nurse spans between two to four years. However, the exact duration for you will hinge on the specific degree program you opt for, your hands-on clinical experience, and the licensing stipulations of your state.

To get a clear picture of the requirements in your state, I recommend reaching out to your state's nursing board. You could also gain valuable insights by conversing with individuals already in the field, or even college professors who teach nursing courses.

In addition, the Occupational Outlook Handbook is a fantastic resource for researching the prerequisites and expectations of a nursing career. You might also find the Nurses Association's website (https://www.nursingworld.org/resources/individual/how-to-become-a-research-nurse/) helpful. It's a treasure of information and there are great platforms to connect with others who can help you understand the field better.

I wish you all the best on your journey to becoming a nurse, Aya. You're embarking on a truly rewarding path. Good luck!
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