Wondering how long does it take to become an RN? Explore nursing degree pathways and the five steps to licensure. Learn how the University of Mount Saint Vincent’s ABSN program helps eligible career changers earn a BS in nursing in as few as 16 months after completing prerequisites.
To become a registered nurse (RN), you must earn a nursing degree and a license from your state’s board of nursing. How long does it take to become an RN? It depends on which degree path you choose. For example, you could earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in nursing through a traditional four-year program or spend less than two years in an accelerated program.
In the University of Mount Saint Vincent’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, you can earn a BS in nursing in as few as 16 months. 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.
Answer the question, “How long does it take to become a registered nurse?” by exploring the different nursing career paths.
How Long Is Nursing School?
While there are several paths toward a nursing career, they all begin with earning a nursing degree. You must graduate from a qualified degree program to be eligible for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.
Nursing school varies in length, depending on your program. Options include an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a BS in nursing. If you decide to pursue the BS in nursing path, you have two options for nursing school: a traditional or an accelerated nursing program.
Associate Degree in Nursing
How long does it take to become a nurse via an ADN degree? An ADN program can be completed in two years and is typically designed for individuals without college experience. Graduates then take the NCLEX-RN a few months after graduation and can obtain an RN license after passing.
Traditional BS in Nursing
How long to be a nurse through a traditional program? A traditional BS in nursing program can be completed in four years. It is designed for individuals without college experience and requires applicants to have at least a high school diploma or GED.
It can take about four years plus a few months to graduate from a traditional BS in nursing program and pass the NCLEX-RN before becoming a licensed nurse.
Accelerated BS in Nursing Programs
An accelerated program is a fast track to earning a BS in nursing, designed for individuals with college experience and are looking to change careers. Some programs require students to have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, while others are open to transfer students with college credits, as well.
How long does it take to be a nurse through an accelerated program? Length of time varies, but they can typically be completed in less than two years. Mount Saint Vincent’s accelerated program can be completed in as few as 16 months.
Assuming graduates pass the NCLEX-RN a few months after graduation, they can start working as a licensed nurse in under two years.
Why become a nurse? Explore the many benefits of this rewarding career.
How Long to Become an RN: Choosing a Nursing Program
Choosing the right nursing program for you is an important decision, as it can determine how long it takes to earn a nursing degree, become licensed, and enter the workforce. The curriculum also varies across programs. For example, BS in nursing programs are more comprehensive than ADN programs.
Explore the different options to better understand which program is right for you.
Associate Degree in Nursing
Associate degree programs prepare students to take the NCLEX-RN and pursue a nursing career. An ADN program may be right for you if:
- You do not have college experience, such as a non-nursing bachelor’s degree
- You want to earn a nursing degree quickly
Because of the shorter timeline, however, an ADN curriculum is not as comprehensive as that of a BS in nursing program. It can also limit career advancement opportunities.
Should you decide to advance your career to become an advanced practice registered nurse or earn a master’s or doctorate, you will need to earn a BS in nursing to qualify for graduate programs.
If licensed and working in New York, you may also have to return to school to earn a bachelor’s degree later in your career. New York has enacted the “BSN in 10 law” that requires ADN-educated nurses to earn a bachelor’s degree or higher within 10 years of becoming licensed.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
A BS in nursing education qualifies individuals to take the NCLEX-RN and offers a comprehensive curriculum covering nursing competencies, leadership skills, case management, health promotion, and more.
Many healthcare employers, particularly Magnet hospitals, prefer to hire baccalaureate-prepared nurses. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, studies have shown that nurses with a baccalaureate degree contribute to better patient outcomes and uphold higher standards of patient safety and quality of care.
A traditional BS in nursing program may be right for you if:
- You do not have college experience
- You want a comprehensive nursing education that also prepares you for career advancement
Accelerated BS in Nursing
An accelerated BS in nursing program is designed for individuals with college experience, allowing them to earn a BS in nursing in less time than through a traditional program. While the curriculum is accelerated, it provides the same quality of education as a traditional program.
How is this possible? While specifics vary, at Mount Saint Vincent, the ABSN program’s 16-month format works for several reasons:
- Students work through a fast-paced, intensive, accelerated nursing curriculum that builds on students’ preexisting college education. At Mount Saint Vincent, students must have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree to be eligible.
- 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.
- The semesters are consecutive, with minimal breaks.
An accelerated program may be right for you if:
- You have college experience, such as a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, and do not want to return to school for another four years
- You understand the value of earning a BS in nursing
- You want to earn a nursing degree fast, so you can become licensed and enter the workforce sooner than other pathways
Are you considering relocating for nursing school? Read more to learn what you need to know before making the move.
5 Steps to Becoming an RN
Learn the answer to the question, “How long to be an RN?” with these five steps.
1. Apply for Nursing School
The first step in the process is to apply for nursing school. Carefully review the admission requirements for your chosen program, as they can vary.
At Mount Saint Vincent, the ABSN admission requirements include:
- A non-nursing bachelor’s degree
- A minimum GPA of 3.0
- Completion of prerequisite requirements
- Official transcripts from all attended undergraduate institutions
When you first connect with the admission team at Mount Saint Vincent, you will be assigned a dedicated admission counselor who will guide you through the admission process.
They will answer your questions, help you create an academic plan to meet prerequisite requirements before your target start date, and help you submit your online application.
2. Complete Nursing Prerequisites
Nursing prerequisites are a critical step in the admission process for accelerated programs because they ensure students have the foundation needed for a nursing education. At Mount Saint Vincent, courses include Anatomy and Physiology I and II, microbiology, college-level mathematics, and more.
If enrolling in an associate or a traditional BS in nursing program, these courses are covered in the first half of the curriculum.
3. Complete Your Nursing Degree
While specifics heavily depend on the degree type and curriculum, you can expect to complete didactic coursework and hands-on experiential learning. Because nursing is a hands-on profession, students must learn to perform essential nursing skills in person, practicing first in the lab before providing real patient care at clinical facilities.
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 covers topics such as pathophysiology, pharmacology, health promotion, and more.
- Nursing Labs: Skills labs teach nursing skills, such as nasogastric intubation, and nursing simulation labs teach students to manage various clinical situations.
- Clinical rotations: Students complete clinical rotations 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 students to excel on the licensure exam and become competent, caring nurses.
4. Pass the NCLEX-RN
The NCLEX-RN is a rigorous exam that assesses your clinical judgment, critical thinking, and understanding of nursing theory. It will require you to fully understand nursing concepts so you can apply your knowledge to clinical scenarios.
Your nursing program will prepare you for the NCLEX-RN; however, it’s still important to start studying and familiarizing yourself with the question style on your own as early as possible. Then, after graduation, you should dedicate the weeks leading up to the exam to studying full-time.
5. Obtain RN Licensure and Begin Your Career
After passing the NCLEX-RN, you can register with your state’s board of nursing to obtain an RN license. Once licensed, you’re ready to join the nursing workforce. You can find entry-level positions in a variety of nursing areas and clinical facilities.
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 non-nursing bachelor’s 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, New York.
The ABSN program offers students small class sizes, with a 13:1 student-teacher ratio, and a curriculum that focuses on the development of the whole student. In addition to our attentive faculty, Academic Success Coaches are available to support your progress.
Request info today to find out if the ABSN pathway is right for you.