How long does it take to become a nurse? Well, we are here to help you with all the relevant information regarding this question. You are at a point in life where you must take certain concrete career decisions. And right now, it seems that you are eager to pursue the career of a nurse. One can also visit our page medical school for having idea on other relevant factors of a medical school.
First, we will figure out the different registered nurse courses and educational programs before getting answer of how long does it take to become a nurse. Then, we will figure out the duration for each of these nursing programs. Eventually, we will also investigate the average annual nurse salary in USA. So, let’s not waste any more time, and quickly jump into our topic of the day.
How long does it take to become a nurse
How Long Does It Take To Become A Nurse in the USA
When you want to become a nurse in the United States there are many choices to consider on how long does it take to become a nurse. While registered nurses ( RNs) need to obtain a minimum of an associate’s degree to practice nursing, you may become a licensed practical nurse (PN) and work without a degree in a medical environment. One can also search for rn programs in california with no waiting list.
The time it takes to complete the training depends on the educational provider and the program, but in as little as 15 months you may become a nurse.
You will learn a wide variety of skills during this period that will prepare you for a health-care environment. In a healthcare environment, the curriculum will typically include classroom education and training.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Registered Nurse
In the regards of the question how long does it take to become a nurse or registered nurses we should know usually they required to meet one of two educational requirements prior to nursing practice. Here are the different registered nurse courses.
Associate Degree in Nursing
The Associate Nursing Degree (AND) is one of the highly popular nursing programs that may take two to four years to complete. You will usually be doing your training at a college or nursing school in the city.
If you are given an AND, you can sit on the NCLEX-RN — the national U.S. nurse licensing test. Know, without this credential, you can’t be employed as an RN. You will be enrolling in subjects such as nursing, chemistry, microbiology, social science, psychology, and behavioral science during your study, depending on your educational provider.
Bachelor of Nursing
It will take about four years to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). You may receive training for different health problems, depending on your educational provider. You’ll have more chances to progress to higher nursing roles after you’ve graduated from your course.
Several students choose to become nursing administrators after completing their studies with the knowledge of how long does it take to become a nurse. An Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program helps you to earn a nursing diploma in a shorter period of time if you already have a non-nursing degree. These courses could take 12 to 20 months to complete.
Professional Nursing Programs
You might be wondering how long does it take to become a nurse. This will take only 15 months to complete a PN program. Although PNs have less responsibility than RNs, this program will give you the skills you need to provide routine treatment, manage medication, and collect patient and practitioner data.
After you’ve graduated and completed the NCLEX-RN — this certification is compulsory for all U.S. PNs — you may work in a health-care facility such as a doctor’s office or private residence. Advanced placement track plans are also available if you are a licensed practical nurse and want to train for an AND now.
Such courses can take as little as 15 months to complete in a hospital setting and combine classroom-based training and real-world experience. The key differences between the curricula on this list are the amount of time it takes to complete your training and the subjects you are studying during your studies.
When learning more skills for a BSN over a longer period of time, you’ll always be able to train with an AND as a nurse. Lastly, a PN curriculum equips you with the expertise you need to become a professional practical nurse.
Skilled nurses are needed right here in the U.S. not only for bedside treatment but for leadership positions, education, and advocacy. As the number of patients increases and the population ages, caring, experienced nurses have a chance to make a shift. Keep on reading and learn how to become a nurse. We hope you are getting all your answers relating to how long does it take to become a nurse?
How To Become A Nurse
Here are some more point on your queries relating to how long does it take to become a nurse. If you are aspiring to be an LPN, RN, or administrator, you will consider the first step in having a good education as you know how to become a nurse. To get a license, each state and the District of Columbia allow students to graduate from an approved nursing program.
Pick a road to nursing
In several ways, nursing will take you from starting out as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) or staff nurse to working your way up to the nursing administrator. When selecting your career direction, remember what kind of work environment you need. RNs can be used in hospitals and other medical facilities, for example, but licensed nursing care assistants also work in nursing homes. One can also visit healthcare administration associates degree online.
What sort of setup would most inspire you?
Since healthcare has so many facets, nurses also specialize in other fields, such as geriatrics or critical care. When you’re excited about a certain form of nursing, think about what kind of schooling you’ll have to get there.
Get a diploma
The career path that you are interested in following usually determines the kind of nursing degree that you need. And before choosing a career in nursing you might be thinking of how long does it take to become a nurse. Nursing services provide teaching in the classroom and clinical training. The latter will allow you to gain hands-on experience, ask real-life scenarios questions, and interact with nurses. The training would also give you the ability to learn how a medical facility works.
Determine how the nursing school blends into your busy life before selecting a curriculum. Will you have time to go to campus? Many bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing can be obtained online (with clinical criteria in your local community completed).
It takes less time to complete an associate’s degree program, helping you to join the workforce faster.
Employers will be more likely to employ a nurse with a bachelor’s degree because they have earned a deeper education. However, with the aid of their employer’s tuition reimbursement, many nurses with ADNs go on to receive higher degrees.
Here are the different types of nursing degrees that you can enroll in:
- Nursing diplomas: These are generally offered by various vocational schools and community colleges.
- Associate’s degree in nursing (ADN): These degrees are available at community colleges.
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN): These programs are very popular and are studied at numerous colleges and universities.
- Master’s degree in nursing (MSN): There are lots of colleges and universities that offer such programs.
- Doctoral degrees (DNP, ND, Ph.D., DNSc): Once you pass your masters, you can avail such courses at nationwide colleges and universities.
Take the required licenses
When your schooling is complete, you may need to take an exam to show your experience and nursing skills. To work, nurses must be certified, and tests are a requirement for licensing. The NCLEX tests, other qualification assessments, and the subjects covered vary according to the career path you have chosen.
- You would need to pass a state competency test to become a licensed certified nursing assistant (CNA).
- Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) have to pass the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination).
- RNs and other registered nurses (APRNs) with advanced experience are expected to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to obtain licensing.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners must pass a standardized certification test conducted by a professional association, such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center or Nurse Practitioners’ American Academy. And we cannot describe its exact pinpoint on a nurse practitioner duration. However the path to become an NP has divided in several steps, and they determine the time of becoming an NP.
- Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Become a licensed registered nurse
- Complete a graduate nursing program
- Secure national board certification
- Get registered or licensed by the state you intend to practice in
How Long Does It Take To Become A Nurse Anesthetist
Nurse-midwives should pass the examination administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) upon completion of their training, while nurse anesthetists must pass the examination provided by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. It is multi-step process that will take you about seven to eight years to complete.
After you become a registered nurse
Once you become a nurse, here are the options that you can avail to advance your career:
- Continuing education: Nurses typically every two years are expected to complete continuing education courses. For criteria, consult with the state nursing board.
- Get certified: Try earning medical certification if you want to specialize in a certain field of nursing. It cements your contribution to the profession and shows employers your skillset.
- Earn an advanced degree: you will be eligible for a career as a nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse specialist, a registered nurse-midwife, and a certified nurse anesthesiologist.
Influenced by work stress, salary, and other factors like queries on how long does it take to become a nurse, some RNs want to go back to school and pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing but who has the time and resources to invest in another four years of study? Join the accelerated BSN program.
Accelerated BSNs are explicitly tailored for students who have already received a baccalaureate degree in another area. Although you will need to meet certain preconditions for science and math, accelerated BSN students are not expected to return to general education. Alternatively, the accelerated program focuses exclusively on nursing skills (usually about 18 months).
Change in a career in nursing
At the same time, nursing is infamously gratifying and demanding. Several nurses are searching for a career transition within the profession after years of bedside treatment. Going back to school is also a way of making a transition. You can also visit here for how much does a nurse make.
Specialize: Earning a master’s degree helps you to choose a specialty, such as midwifery or computer science.
If you are searching an answer on how long does it take to become a nurse and If you are not searching for an MSN, enroll in a certificate program that takes less time to complete. You can choose from a number of specialties in nursing. Teach: If you enjoy coaching new nurses on the job, as a nurse instructor, you may be a good match. Colleges and universities employ nurses to teach nursing classes, having a master’s or doctoral degree.
Research: A Doctor of Nursing Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc) allows you to work in medical research. Your work will help the nursing profession make progress.
There are few career paths that provide the same advancement and career diversity opportunities as nursing. A diverse health care environment provides a wide array of nursing choices.
And, as more patients are searching for advanced solutions, nurses can meet this demand by obtaining further qualifications, which also leads to higher pay.
How to market yourself once you become a nurse?
After getting an idea on how long does it take to become a nurse you need to become more marketable? Here are some suggestions:
- Study another language: Various hospitals are searching for nurses who speak more than English, with the largest demand being for Spanish.
- Get certified and specialize yourself: Secure professional certification, if you have experience in a specific field.
- Be flexible: Be willing to work for various employers, even though you have a specific aim on one. The acquired knowledge would be invaluable.
How to find work as a nurse
You have finished college. And thinking of how long does it take to become a nurse. Finally, as a nurse, you need to learn how to get work. While you might take the conventional route of sending resumes to employers and hoping for a call, there are savvier ways that could motivate you to get a nursing job done. It is important to remember that new nurses often have difficulty because employers sometimes opt for more seasoned staff.
Start networking more
Here we are providing some more ideas in nursing along with the query how long does it take to become a nurse. It’s about who you meet in most professions, including nursing. Start by joining your American Nurses Association Local branch. You’ll have an opportunity to meet nurses in your region by attending the chapter ‘s events. Make friends with others and they may think of you first if there is a job opening at their workplace.
Nurse salary in USA
Now comes the most important part of your career journey, and getting idea on how long does it take to become a nurse, that is how much nurse salary in USA can you expect. Well, the average nurse salary in USA, according to the BLS (US Bureau of Labor Statistics) is $71,730 per year. Most nurses make an annual income between $48,690 and $104,100.
Let’s conclude
We are hopeful that the information we have drafted in our article will help you make the right decisions. Making the right choice is extremely important to become successful in life. This is even truer when we are talking about nursing as a career, given the toughness you may have to endure over time.
And the career of a nurse is a noble one. During the novel coronavirus pandemic, we have noticed how important nurses are in our lives. So, all the best. If you still have doubts over the topic, “how long does it take to become a nurse”, make sure that you leave a comment below at Online schools Near Me.
