How Long Is Nursing School?

• Four educational track options exist to become a nurse: LPN/LVN, RN via an associate degree, BSN via a traditional four-year program, and BSN via an accelerated program.
• These programs can take anywhere from 1-4 years to complete.
• Your choice will depend on your career goals, preferences, and academic standing.

If you know you want to join the healthcare field, exploring your education options can be daunting.

There are dozens of jobs, many of which have decent wages but require years of schooling.

Years ago, when weighing my own options, the choice came down to what I valued most: my time. I was 26 years old at the time and didn't want to wait any longer to start my career.

I opted for the fastest program option with a salary that met my needs: an accelerated BSN nursing program.

At the time, I thought I would want to eventually continue my nursing education and go to graduate school, so a BSN was a must. And I didn't want to go back for another four-year degree after I had completed one bachelor's degree already.

The programs listed in this article are based on national average data, but the actual length of each education program varies by degree, program, and training institution.

We will break down the four nursing degree programs, their prerequisites, and the career outlook for each.

Nursing School Degrees: Getting the Right Return on Your Investment

There are four main program tracks to become a nurse:

1. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
2. Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) registered nurse (RN)
3. Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) RN
4. Accelerated BSN RN

Licensed Practical Nurse / Licensed Vocational Nurse

LPNs, also known as LVNs in some states, are nurses who work under the supervision of registered nurses and providers such as doctors and nurse practitioners.

To enter an LPN/LVN program, you will need a high school diploma or GED certificate. Like any licensed medical professional, each state has different regulations for its LPNs, so their roles vary by region and setting.

In general, though, LPNs are responsible for collaborating with the care team and performing duties such as:

• Direct patient care, such as collecting vital signs, wound care, and catheter insertion
• Collecting patient data and recording their findings for another healthcare provider to review
• Providing emotional and spiritual support to patients and families
• Ensuring the basic cleanliness and comfort of patients
• Administering medications according to a nursing care plan
• Monitoring a patient by assessing their comfort level

3 Pathways to Become a Registered Nurse (ADN or BSN)

You can become a registered nurse through an ADN program or a traditional or accelerated BSN program.

All these programs help prepare you to become an RN. RNs have a broad scope of practice depending on their job setting and specialty. They work under the direction of providers such as doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician associates.

Their typical scopes of practice include the following:

• Direct patient care, such as collecting vital signs, wound care, and catheter insertion
• Providing emotional and spiritual support to patients and families
• Ensuring the basic cleanliness and comfort of patients
• Administering medications according to a nursing care plan
• Monitoring a patient by assessing their comfort level
• Collecting patient data and recording their findings for another healthcare provider to review
• Teaching patients and families about medication side effects, post-surgical care, and the management of illnesses or injuries
• Educating people on disease processes, healthcare management, and disease prevention
• Providing mental health and addiction counseling
• Triaging and assessing patients

Accelerated BSN programs offer additional challenges and are more difficult for many students due to their shortened time frame.

Most of these programs have high acceptance standards and low admission rates and take from 12-18 months to complete.

It's important to note that both ADN- and BSN-prepared nurses are RNs and sit for the same licensing exam, the NCLEX. They also hold the same jobs, though BSN nurses typically earn slightly more.

In addition to the higher income, if you want to go back to school to become a nurse practitioner (NP), earn your master of science in nursing (MSN) degree, or train to be a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), a bachelor's degree is required.

A bachelor's degree is also commonly required if you want to move up the nurse management ladder.

Because of this, more and more hospitals and states are encouraging ADN-prepared nurses to get their BSN, with states like New York requiring it within 10 years of graduation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing School

How long is nursing school?

Depending on which program you qualify for and choose, you can become a nurse in 1-4 years. LPN and ADN programs require a high school diploma or GED certificate, while BSN programs have higher entrance standards.

How do I know if I want to become a nurse?

Wanting to help people is a good start. But you need to experience the day-to-day tasks of caregiving to know if you want to become a nurse. Try working as a certified nursing assistant or patient care technician to see if nursing fits you.

Which nursing degree is better?

LPNs, ADN nurses, and BSN nurses are all essential parts of the healthcare team and can earn a decent living.

However, you should get a BSN if you want to continue your nursing education with a graduate degree or move up to nurse management.

Can I start as an LPN and get my ADN or BSN later?

Yes, you absolutely can! Many hospitals today will pay for you to get your next degree if you agree to work there for a few years or you go to school part time while working for them.

This can be a very affordable route if you're willing to wait. So check out the education options at your local hospitals before choosing your program.

How long will it take me to pay off my nursing degree?

The average BSN nurse graduates with more than $23,000 in student loan debt, and your total amount will depend on your financial situation, which program you choose, your cost of living, etc.

However, it takes many students 10-20 years to pay off their student loans.

As a nurse, you can minimize the amount you take out by using employer tuition reimbursement or by taking a higher-paying position such as travel nursing.