How long does it take to become a nurse? It depends on your starting point and career goals. Without prior college education, you might enroll in a traditional BS in nursing program, which takes four years. With a non-nursing degree, an ABSN program takes 16 months after completing prerequisites.
How long does it take to become a nurse? It depends on which career or degree path you choose. For example, if you want to be a registered nurse (RN), you could earn a bachelor’s degree through a traditional four-year program or spend less than two years in an accelerated program.
At the University of Mount Saint Vincent’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, we welcome nursing students from all backgrounds. Our ABSN program in New York City is designed for individuals with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree who want to switch to a nursing career quickly.
Before looking at the ABSN pathway, however, consider the other pathways you might take toward a nursing career. Then, explore the ABSN pathway more closely and determine if it could be right for you.
How Long Does It Take to Become an RN?
No matter which pathway you follow or how long it takes you to become a nurse, you’ll find that a nursing education is intensive. It must be, as nurses have a significant responsibility to promote the health and safety of their patients.
Assessing patients, making clinical decisions, and administering treatments are all complex tasks, and nurses must draw upon an extensive arsenal of nursing knowledge and skills.
What do nurses do? Consider the essential role nurses play in patient care.
How long does it take to become a registered nurse, exactly? It depends on your career goals and the pathway you take.
Becoming an LPN First
Some future registered nurses decide to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs) first. An LPN is a nursing professional with a narrower scope of responsibility than an RN.
LPNs primarily focus on helping patients with the activities of daily living (ADL), such as bathing, grooming, feeding, and mobility. They also administer some medications, monitor vital signs, and record patient information, all under the supervision of an RN.
To become an LPN, you will need to take a state-approved training program, which typically lasts about one year. Then, you’ll have to pass the NCLEX-PN. At this point, you can start working as an LPN.
If you decide to continue your nursing education and become an RN, you might be eligible for an ABSN program if you have a non-nursing degree. If you lack a college education, you can enroll in a traditional four-year BS in nursing program.
After becoming an LPN, an alternative to earning a BS in nursing degree is earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). This degree takes two years of full-time study.
The benefit of using the LPN pathway as a stepping stone toward an RN career is that you may qualify for tuition reimbursement from your employer if you continue working as an LPN while attending school. Keep in mind that this pathway will take longer, and not all employers offer this benefit.
Earning an ADN
If you want to become a registered nurse right away, another option is to earn an ADN. An ADN program typically takes two years to complete, and it qualifies you to take the NCLEX-RN. This is a shorter pathway than becoming an LPN first.
Note, however, that an ADN is not the nursing degree preferred by employers. Healthcare employers, particularly Magnet hospitals, prefer to hire baccalaureate-prepared nurses. Nurses with a baccalaureate degree are highly sought after because studies have shown they contribute to better patient outcomes and uphold higher standards of patient safety and care quality.
It’s possible to earn an ADN, pass the NCLEX, gain clinical experience as an RN, and then enroll in an RN to BS in nursing degree program to earn a baccalaureate degree. That route, however, will take more time. If you’re a full-time student, it might take one year or longer. Part-time students may require two to three years.
Enrolling in a Traditional BS in Nursing Program
Still another option to consider is enrolling in a traditional BS in nursing program right away. This could be a good option if you:
- Want to start working as an RN right away instead of becoming an LPN first
- Understand the value of a bachelor’s degree compared to an ADN
- Do not have a prior non-nursing degree
How long does it take to become a nurse with a traditional BS in nursing program? Most full-time students graduate in four years. They then take the NCLEX within a couple of months of graduating.
How Long Does It Take to Be a Nurse With an ABSN?
If you meet the ABSN admission requirements, you can become a nurse much more quickly with an ABSN program and enjoy the benefits of having a quality BS in nursing. Mount Saint Vincent’s ABSN condenses the baccalaureate curriculum into 16 months, all without compromising quality or depth of education.
How is this possible? Our 16-month format works for several reasons:
- The semesters are consecutive, with no breaks.
- Students work through a fast-paced, intensive accelerated nursing curriculum.
- Students fulfill ABSN prerequisite requirements prior to enrolling in the program. These prerequisite courses lay the foundation for nursing education.
- The ABSN program eliminates general education courses and focuses entirely on nursing education. This is possible thanks to prerequisites and students’ prior degrees in a field other than nursing.
As an ABSN student at the Mount, you’ll work through a comprehensive nursing curriculum delivered via three main learning components:
- Coursework: Nursing theory coursework teaches everything from pathophysiology to pharmacology and beyond.
- Labs: Nursing skills labs teach nursing skills, like nasogastric tube insertion, and simulation labs allow future nurses to learn how to manage various clinical situations.
- Clinical rotations: Students are placed at top healthcare facilities around the NYC area. Our clinical partners give students hands-on clinical experience in areas like intensive care and obstetrics.
These learning components fully prepare our students to excel on the NCLEX and become competent, caring nurses.
How does an ABSN program work? Discover how an ABSN enables you to earn a nursing degree in less time.
RN Advancement Opportunities
Many nurses choose to continue their nursing education after gaining clinical experience as an RN. You might choose to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), such as a nurse practitioner (NP) or a clinical nurse specialist (CNS).
As an APRN, you’ll enjoy greater autonomy, serve as a nurse leader or mentor, and care for your patients with greater independence. APRNs also enjoy a robust job growth rate and even stronger earning potential than RNs.
The length of time it takes to become an APRN will vary, depending on the choices you make. Here’s a sample timeline:
- Complete an ABSN program after fulfilling prerequisites: 16 months, plus longer for prerequisites
- Pass the NCLEX exam: A couple of months, if you pass on the first attempt
- Gain clinical experience: At least two years
- Earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): About two years, or longer if taking classes part-time
- Earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): About three to five years, or longer if you’re a part-time student
- Pass the board certification exam and obtain APRN licensure: Variable, but likely a matter of months
Earning an MSN before earning a DNP is not always necessary; some students go directly to a DNP program. Additionally, some APRN positions might not require a DNP.
Explore how to become a CRNA, including the career requirements and outlook.
Become a Nurse Sooner at Mount Saint Vincent
The University of Mount Saint Vincent, known as “the Right Place on the River,” welcomes future nurses who are eager to start their careers. If you have a completed non-nursing degree, you might be eligible for the ABSN program.
The Mount offers multiple locations across the boroughs of NYC, including ABSN learning sites in Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, along with Saint Joseph’s Medical Center in Yonkers.
Our students appreciate our small class sizes, with a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. We focus on the development of the whole student and offer Academic Success Coaches to support your progress.
Contact an admission counselor today to find out if the ABSN pathway is right for you.