Do you want to be a registered nurse (RN) but are having trouble enrolling in nursing school? It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to qualify as a licensed registered nurse. Pursuing a course in nursing requires you to have top writing skills and vast knowledge of nursing concepts. Being a nurse allows you to contribute positively to your community and assist others in need. How Long is Nursing School:
Are you wondering how long is nursing school? There is no specific answer to this question. The fact remains that there are numerous paths to becoming an RN, and no single approach is appropriate for everyone. This informative guide will help you get more insights about the various routes you can take to and through nursing school.
Factors that impact how long nursing school will take
The time it takes to complete your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) depends on several factors. Although the term “four-year degree” is commonly used, it does not imply that all students complete their academic journey within the same period. The time you spend in your nursing school can be affected by the following five factors:
1. Financial responsibilities
Everyone comes from different grounds in college and universities, hence the different means of payment. Many students are funded through savings, loans, grants, work-study programs, and scholarships. Financial constraints can be a major cause of delayed completion. You can check out NMC’s financial aid services if you have trouble raising funds for your education.
2. Regular nursing education vs accelerated nursing programs
As a transfer student, you can expect your traditional program to take about 3.5 years; a high school student with no college credits will likely complete the program within four years.
Students who have already completed a bachelor’s or associate’s degree program can take advantage of NMC’s accelerated program. Students who enrol in this program can complete their degrees in as little as 15 months. Get more insights on the differences between accelerated BSN programs and traditional BSN programs.
3. Academic workload
Nebraska Methodist College’s Director of Enrollment Services, Megan Maryott, advises students not to assert the course works to be completed. Selecting the accelerated program without adequate preparation may feel more like being run over than a fast track.
4. The demands of work and family life
It’s not rare for students to learn just how time-consuming and demanding it can be once they’ve begun a program. Some students pressure themselves faster, only to fall behind due to other commitments like work or family.
5. Course prerequisites and credit transfers
Understand how your transfer credits will be applied before committing to your nursing program and planning your time in school. Before enrolling in a BSN nursing program, it’s essential to determine which prerequisite classes you’ll need to take and whether you have any previous coursework that needs to be transferred. Make an appointment with an admissions counsellor to review your previous academic work and determine how it will apply to your degree program.
How Long is Nursing School at (ADN) Program?
Obtaining an associate degree in nursing is the most suitable way to start your nursing career. Are you wondering how long it takes to complete nursing school in this field? You can earn your nursing associate’s degree in as little as two years of full-time or four years of part-time study.
Remember that the simplest route to completing any program isn’t always the best. The best and most appropriate way into the workforce is by holding a degree as a nursing associate. Most healthcare employers and standard-setting professional organizations prefer nurses with at least a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and, preferably, a graduate degree in nursing.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) observed that BSN-prepared nurses outperformed their associate-degree-holding counterparts in 12 of 16 sectors related to delivering quality healthcare services and patient safety. An additional study found a 10.9% decrease in patient mortality associated with a 10% increase in hospital nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
Employers in the healthcare industry recognize that hiring more nurses with bachelor’s degrees in nursing (BSNs) benefits their patients and their brand. You may need to return to school to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree even if you choose to enter the nursing profession by obtaining a two-year associate degree. Although you can get your BSN degree after you’ve started working as a nurse, it’s more efficient to get it before venturing into the career.
How long is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program?
You might decide that a bachelor’s degree in nursing is what you need to start your career off on the right foot rather than starting with an associate’s degree. The average time to earn a bachelor’s degree is four years. All of this is predicated on the fact that you intend to be a full-time student. By earning a degree in nursing, you will have a chance to open doors to various opportunities and pave the way to pursuing a PhD in Nursing program.
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing program will delve more deeply into nursing skills than an Associate degree program. The coursework and laboratory settings will thoroughly explain the human body’s structure and function. Here are some fields that you’ll encounter throughout the course:
- Changes in human life
- Applied Nutrition
- Pharmacology
- Health behaviours in nursing
- Microbiology
- Chemistry
You can also participate in clinical rotations as part of a BSN program. This allows you to gain experience working directly with patients and their loved ones. You will also gain more experience in nursing by participating in a preceptorship program at an affiliated healthcare organization, which some educational institutions offer.
How long is an RN to BSN program?
Settling as an RN with an associate degree is not always the best option. You may find that you want or need to further your education to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Adding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to your resume can boost your credentials and open up new career possibilities. Registered nurses who wish to advance their careers need not devote themselves to a four-year degree program to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
A BSN for Registered Nurses can be earned at schools specializing in nursing. As the name implies, RN-to-BSN programs are aimed at registered nurses who already have an ADN but want to earn a bachelor’s degree. Unlike traditional BSN programs, RN-to-BSN programs only take two to three years to complete because they build on the student’s prior education and experience.
The time it takes to graduate from high school to college can change based on the program and the student. In some cases, students who enrol full-time and stay registered for their program can earn their BSN in as little as 12 months. To complete your degree within such a short amount of time, you will need to have a large number of transfer credits.
How long does it take to become an APRN?
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is a clinical professional who interacts directly with patients and has extensive education and training to care for a specific subset of patients in a particular setting. To get more insight into how long it may take to become an advanced practice registered nurse, it is necessary first to define precisely what falls under this umbrella. There are four primary categories of APRNs, and they are as follows:
· Certified nurse practitioner (CNP)
Professional nurse practitioners find employment opportunities in a variety of medical practices. They focus on health management and disease prevention and have clinical experience in diagnosis and treatment. Family practice, women’s health, paediatrics, and geriatrics are a few of the subfields open to CNPs.
· Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
A CNS can focus on one particular type of nursing service or one specific practice area, such as emergency care, critical care, rehabilitation, or mental health. CNSs can also have subspecialties based on their population, the type of issue (pain, wounds, diabetes, etc.), and the prevalence of a given disease (e.g., paediatrics).
· Certified registered nurse anaesthetist (CRNA)
A certified registered nurse anaesthetist (CRNA) is a professional healthcare practitioner trained to help patients prepare for surgery, give anaesthesia, and keep tabs on them as they recover afterwards.
· Certified nurse midwife (CNM)
Certified nurse midwives (CNMs) are primary care providers who specialize in assisting women from conception through postpartum. The male partners of CNM patients can also seek treatment from them for issues related to reproductive health.
Registered nurses who want to advance their careers to the APRN level must consider returning to school. An advanced degree in nursing is necessary to succeed in your nursing career. Although many APRNs have master’s degrees, many more have PhD in nursing.
In conclusion
Contact an admissions counsellor to discuss “how long is nursing school?” and create a personalized timeline for nursing school. To get more knowledge in your nursing field, the educational opportunities available to you, and the job opportunities, feel free to download our free nursing guide by visiting us at proscholarly.com.
We also have professional nursing writers who can help you complete your nursing assignments. Our experts are always ready to help you have a smooth academic journey. Advance in your career by working with our professional writers.