Rozina Aziz In this article, we discuss how long does it take to become a nurse? Their benefits and different other professions related to a nursing degree.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Nurse?
Nursing is the most respected and demanding career in health, making nursing one of the most important professions in the healthcare industry. More than 3,3 million registered nurses (RNs) will be working in the United States by 2029, representing faster than average job growth.
There are few more satisfying professions than nursing in the modern career. In addition to having job and promotion prospects, aspiring nurses will have a varied and enjoyable workday spent serving those in need. 82% of Americans believe nurses to be the most trustworthy employees in the world today, and many patients consider nurses as superheroes in scrubs.
A career in nursing is rewarding on many levels, both personally and professionally, so if that’s something you’re considering, you can rest easy. How long will it take, though? How long does it take to get a nursing degree and start working as a nurse?
The time it takes to complete a nurse career depends on factors such as the candidate’s chosen specialty. There is a wide range of educational requirements among the many nursing specializations.
The duration of a nursing education program can vary widely, from a few months to several years. The entry-level education requirement for Registered Nurses is an associate degree, which may be earned in around two years. Time spent studying for a medical degree at a university is substantially longer than this.
How Can We Divide Nurses Into Several Groups?
It’s important to note that nurses can choose between two broad kinds of non-specialization careers:
Registered Nurse (RN):
A registered nurse supports physicians and other medical staff in a hospital or clinic. As a registered nurse, you may be responsible for treating patients, giving them medication, and caring for those who are ill.
To become a registered nurse, one must have a nursing license and either a bachelor’s or an associate’s degree in nursing. A registered nurse will most likely be expected to do more duties than a licensed practical nurse.
Practical nurse Licenses (LPN):
A licensed practical nurse works under the direction of a doctor or a registered nurse. Primary nursing duties and patient comfort are your responsibility as a licensed practical. They are just a few critical responsibilities to monitoring vital signs, administering medications, and injecting patties. Possession of a certificate in practical nursing or an associate degree in nursing qualifies someone to become a licensed practical nurse.
What Is Included In the Nursing Profession?
Diploma in Nursing:
A nursing diploma program can be completed in two to three years, while other degree paths can take much longer. Compared to bachelor’s and associate’s degrees, this one is also uncommon. The best places to earn such a degree are in larger hospitals, especially those affiliated with educational institutions.
Nursing associate’s degree:
Time spent earning an Associate’s degree in nursing is shorter. Depending on how quickly and well your chosen educational institution teaches, you can achieve the degree in as little as two years. Nursing schools and community colleges often offer classroom instruction and clinical rotations as part of their curricula.
It also requires completing clinical rotations in a hospital or other healthcare setting. The amount of time it takes to complete an associate degree in nursing can vary depending on the program and the student’s schedule. Generally, it takes two to three years to complete an associate degree in nursing.
Undergraduate Degree Program (BSN):
A BSN is a four-year degree demonstrating a student’s mastery of the scientific principles of nursing. The four-year curriculum leads to a bachelor’s degree in nursing; it covers the theoretical foundations and hands-on skills necessary for working in the medical and surgical fields.
Earning this credential gives you a solid grounding in standard nursing science courses and opens doors to specialized practice. After completing this program, you may be required to take and pass your province’s nursing licensing exam before you begin working as a nurse.
How does one go about starting a career in nurse?
Now that you know the answer to “How long does it take to become a nurse?” and have decided on a nursing career, you may pursue the following steps:
Establish a long-term goal for your career:
It’s essential to consider the type of nurse you want to be and the organization you’d like to work for before deciding on a nursing path. Discover whether being a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse fits your career aspirations better. A nurse can find work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and even laboratories, depending on the specifics of their nursing.
Decide on a course of study:
Now that you have a concrete plan for your nursing career, it’s time to think about the courses and programs you’ll need to get where you want to go. It’s possible to gain a nursing qualification through a bachelor’s, associate’s, or diploma program.
The time it takes to complete nursing school varies, depending on the chosen curriculum. Anyone currently employed in another area who is interested in making a career change to nursing can do so by enrolling in an accelerated nursing school.
Get Your License By Passing The Necessary Exams:
Your prospective employer will likely require you to take and pass the NCLEX before allowing you to begin working as a nurse in a healthcare facility after you graduate from your nursing education. To sit for a provincial licensing exam, you must meet and adhere to the province’s individual licensing standards. With the completion of your licensing exam, you can apply for roles in health care centers in your area.
Acquire Credentials in Your Field:
After gaining experience as a general nurse and completing your nursing degree, you may specialize in a specific area of nursing. If you’re a nurse, specializing in this area is a great way to boost your salary and marketability.
You may decide to further your nursing education by enrolling in a graduate program. You can use these credentials to advance your career into a management role in the healthcare industry. Possible areas of nursing specialization include:
A nurse’s duties are as follows:
In a healthcare setting, nurses are responsible for a variety of tasks. Depending on their area of expertise or specialization and the services provided by the organization, they may be assigned to perform specialized tasks. A nurse’s responsibilities include working with other medical professionals to ensure patients receive the best treatment possible and aiding physicians in their work. In some situations, a nurse’s duties may extend beyond those strictly related to medicine.
Some administrative responsibilities may fall on your shoulders, or you may be tasked with mentoring new hires. A nurse’s primary functions include:
- Conducting routine checks of a patient’s heart rate and other vitals
- Helping out in medical situations and assisting doctors and nurses
- Obtaining specimens,
- Performing physical and medical exams on patients
- Administering pharmaceuticals or intravenous solutions to patients
- Keeping tabs on patients to see how they’re doing and report any problems they’re having
- Patient and family counseling and guidance.
The time required to become an RN is discussed. In a hospital or other medical facility, your first point of contact will most likely be a registered nurse. These experts can diagnose conditions, treat patients, keep tabs on their progress, prescribe drugs, and conduct diagnostic procedures. Their responsibilities are extensive, and they are the ones that have the most regular contact with patients.
Aspiring nurses need an associate’s or bachelor’s degree to enter the career. A two-year associate degree in nursing is typically required to enter the sector. Associate degree programs are available that can be adjusted to fit your schedule. At Goodwin, for instance, after completing the necessary prerequisites, a student can earn an associate’s degree in nursing in as little as 20 months while working part-time.
The NCLEX-RN exam is a prerequisite for becoming a registered nurse, and completing the associate degree program will prepare you to take it. A growing number of RNs are earning their BSNs to further their careers in the healthcare industry. For Instance, if you want to work as a nurse in the United States Armed Forces or as a nurse educator, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing. As a result, this calls for even greater classroom time.
What Is the Average Salary of a Registered Nurse with a BSN when Completed?
Most four-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs are the norm for entry-level nursing education. If you already have an RN license and meet specific qualifications, you may be eligible for an RN-to-BSN or accelerated BSN (ABSN) program to help you get your BSN more quickly.
Programs leading to a BS in Nursing degree are available for RNs wishing to further their studies. Students with a bachelor’s degree from a field other than nursing who want to enter the nursing profession can enroll in an ABSN program.
When Can You Expect to Graduate as an APRN?
To become an APRN, you need to get an advanced degree in the nursing field, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). In contrast to registered nurses, who are responsible for all aspects of patient care, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) focus on a particular subspecialty during their graduate nursing.
Family Nurse Practitioners, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, and Nurse Midwives are all types of APRNs (Advanced Practice Registered Nurses), which are healthcare professionals. Their responsibility is usually higher than that of regular employees, though it may vary with the nature of their job.
Most RNs cannot prescribe medication or create patient treatment regimens, while many APRNs can. ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES (APRNs) are required to obtain these credentials because of the complexity of their work.
- A bachelor degree in nursing typically requires 4 years of study.
- A graduate degree in nursing (about 2-3 years).
- A doctoral degree may be required for promotion in some cases.
Becoming an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse can be accomplished in two ways. If you’re interested in working with patients of all ages as a primary care clinician, the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program may be right for you.
It’s possible to earn your FNP degree online in as little as 27 months. With a master’s degree in nursing, you have options beyond becoming an APRN. Earning an MSN also positions you for leadership roles in the nursing profession.
Nurses with aspirations of leadership positions such as Nurse Administrator, Nurse Manager, or Public Health Nursing Leader can pursue an MSN concentration in this area. If you enroll part-time, you can finish this degree in just 20 months.
In conclusion
It can take anywhere from 4 to 27 months to become a nurse, depending on the type of nursing you wish to pursue. If you want to become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), you will need at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing and may need to complete a master’s or doctoral degree. For those interested in leadership roles, an MSN concentration is available. No matter what path you choose, becoming a nurse requires dedication and hard work.
