How long is nursing school?

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

Nursing school is four years long if you seek a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. However, there are nursing positions you can obtain by getting an associate's degree in nursing from a community college, and this normally takes around two years.

Many different factors can affect how long an aspiring nurse must attend school. Here is the path to becoming a nurse:

Attend nursing school
The degree you aim for and how long it will take you to earn depends on what nursing field you want to enter. In certain states, registered nurses only need an associate's nursing degree to practice.
Most BSN programs give you the knowledge you need and expose you to hands-on experience as a nurse. This is invaluable, as nursing can sometimes be stressful and unpredictable. Any real-world preparation is going to benefit you greatly.
Complete and pass the NCLEX exam
After you've obtained your degree, this is the required next step. The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, also known as NCLEX or NCLEX-RN.
This exam is designed to test your knowledge in all the critical areas of the nursing field. You must pass this exam to obtain state licensure and become a registered nurse.
If you do not pass the exam, you then have to wait 45 days before you are eligible to take it again. Just about every role in nursing requires you to pass this exam.
If you haven't, you can still apply to nurse positions. However, the medical employer is almost certain to turn you down. A nursing assistant is one position you may seek without passing the NCLEX.
However, even with this role, you will have to get certification to be considered. In other words, you need to become a Certified Nursing Assistant.
Get State Licensure
This is another mandatory step. You need to get a nursing license in the state where you want to practice. To become a traveling nurse, you must obtain state licensure in every state you plan to practice in.
Certain regions have licenses that can be utilized in multiple states but do your research, as this is the exception, not the rule.
Each state also has its unique requirements for obtaining a nursing license.
Get advanced training
This is optional, but it does open you up to a wider range of nursing positions and higher salaries. There are many different certifications you can seek as a nurse. Some common options include oncology, gerontology, neonatal, pediatrics, and many more.
Alternatively, you could continue your nursing education and earn a master's degree or a doctorate. Both of these options will give you a substantial increase in terms of salary.