How to Become a Nurse

The fastest way to become a nurse is to become a licensed nurse practitioner (LPN). Programs to become an LPN typically last around one year and cost under $50,000.

However, to become a registered nurse (RN), you need an associate's degree, which typically takes about two years. This educational path generally consists of 60 credits of coursework and supervised clinical hours.

Although an ADN is a faster path to become a nurse than pursuing a bachelor's in nursing (BSN), it does come with limitations. Most nursing organizations recommend that RNs receive a bachelor's degree.

This is because research has been done that shows that hospitals with more highly educated nurses have significantly lower mortality rates. Therefore, many employers look for candidates with BSNs. Some states, like New York, even require ADN holders to get a BSN within a decade to maintain their licensure.

There are seven main levels of nurses in the United States, with a wide variety of specialties. This means there are many avenues a person can choose to pursue a satisfying nursing career that caters to their interests and aptitude.

The seven main levels of nurses in the United States are:

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

• Registered Nurse (RN)

• Registered Nurse Practitioner (RNP)

• Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP)

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

• Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D.)

These levels come with different educational requirements, from simple certification to countless years of study in a higher education doctorate program. However, at every level, a nurse is a critical component to the functioning of a hospital.

Additionally, within these paths are various specialties, from critical care nursing to labor and delivery nursing to oncology nursing. This allows a person to tailor their career to their aptitudes and interests.

It takes between one and four years to become a nurse. This wide range is because there many levels within nursing that all have different educational requirements.

The simplest route to be considered a nurse is to become a licensed nurse practitioner (LPN). This typically requires a one-year program, which is about 60 credits plus clinical hours.

However, there is no direct path from the qualifications of an LPN to that of a registered nurse (RN). To move from LPN to RN, a person has to take another two to four years to get their associate's degree in nursing (ADN) or bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN).

Alternately, a person can cut out the year to become an LPN and instead take two years to get their ADN and become an RN quickly. From there, they can choose to continue to get their BSN, MSN, and even a Ph.D. in nursing.

The first step to becoming a nurse is to get a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification. While this is not a direct step to be a licensed nurse practitioner (LPN) or a registered nurse (RN), it is crucial to determine if a person has the aptitude and personality to pursue nursing certifications and education.

A CNA helps patients with activities of daily living and other healthcare needs under the direct supervision of an RN or LPN. This will give a person their first glimpse into nursing, which can help them understand if it is the right career path.

A CNA completes a state-approved education program that includes instruction on the principles of nursing and supervised clinical work. These programs are typically 80 hours of education and 40 hours of clinical time. They are available in high schools, community colleges, vocational and technical schools, hospitals, and nursing homes.

If a person determines they want to continue in nursing, they can choose whether to be an RN or LPN and pursue the next steps for whatever path they choose. This is either a one-year diploma for an LPN or a two to four-year ADN or BSN degree to become an RN.

Anesthetist Registered Nurses (ARN) get paid the most of any nurse. An ARN earns a mean annual salary of $181,040 ($88.26 per hour).

ARNs are paid the highest because they are highly skilled in preparing and administering anesthesia to patients in collaboration with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, and similar health professionals.

Becoming an ARN is an extremely difficult process that requires many years of school and work experience. It takes 11-years to become an ARN. An ARN needs a Bachelor of Science in not only Nursing and a Masters of Science in Nursing, but also a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Program and additional 2.6-years of critical care experience.

The minimum qualifications to become a registered nurse are an associate's degree in nursing (ADN) and a license to practice. This can take between two and three years to achieve for most people.

An ADN program is designed to develop solid foundational knowledge, attitudes, and skills for nursing practice. After the coursework is completed, individuals must pass the national licensure examination (NCLEX).

However, getting a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) is a significantly better qualification than an ADN.

Nurses with a BSN typically have a greater chance of securing nursing positions and are often given more responsibilities and higher salaries. This is because a BSN requires three to four years of education alongside passing the national licensure examination (NCLEX).

This higher educational achievement allows the nurses a step up in their careers. Extensive studies have shown that hospitals with more highly-educated nurses have significantly lower percentages in mortality rates. This makes a BSN-holding nurse more desirable to a hospital than an ADN-holding nurse.