College is not always a cut-and-dried 4 years journey. Yes, there are various options for different outstanding aspirations. This can even depend on the program and particular college. Whether you’re hoping for a faster route to efficiently hit the floor running or are simply interested in attaining advanced credentials, the time you will spend in the school will greatly vary.

And once you have your perfect timeline in mind, just notice if it matches ideally with your career objectives. You are super excited about nursing, but you actually want to acknowledge what to expect. Right? So, let’s dive into how long is the nursing school;

Incredible Steps to Become an RN

The noteworthy steps involved in becoming a registered nurse will generally vary depending on the specific state you actually live in & where you exactly wish to practice. Therefore, it is crucial to do extensive research on the particular requirements. All the states will need aspiring and enthusiastic RNs to complete the below essential requirements or conditions:

• Complete an accredited nursing program: Many degrees can prepare you efficiently for a job like RN by fulfilling some important requirements. While earning a specific associate’s degree in nursing is technically sufficient to fulfill this particular requirement, more employers prefer to hire different applicants who have earned BSN (bachelor’s degree in nursing”. This means that the BSN is usually considered to be a solid requirement to become an RN. 
• Pass the NCLEX Exam: You’ll need to take and pass the RN licensing exam administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing once you graduate. The purpose of this examination is to assess your level of nursing expertise. There is a 45-day waiting period between attempts at the test if you don’t pass on the very first try.
• Apply for licensure: The final step once you have passed your NCLEX will be applying for licensure in your desired state. Depending on the process of the state and the applications backlog you are applying in, it can take from a few days to some weeks in general.

How Long Does It Exactly Take To Become a Nurse With a Bachelor’s Degree?

Normally, the programs for bachelor’s degrees take four years to finish. It is assumed that you’ll be enrolled in nursing school on a full-time basis. Compared to other programs for associate degrees, the BSN programs will dive into nursing competencies more deeply. 

In such labs and lecture courses, you’ll gain a deep understanding of physiology and human anatomy. You will discover the topics like:

• Pharmacology
• Applied Nutrition
• Lifespan development
• Chemistry
• Microbiology
• Behavioral health nursing

It is possible to participate in clinical rotations as part of a BSN program. These allow you to get experience working directly with patients & their loved ones, which is absolutely crucial. You may be able to get hands-on experience in the field by participating in a preceptorship program at certain educational institutions.

How Long Does It Exactly Take To Pass the NCLEX-RN?

Two years and four years are not the complete answers to this question. You will absolutely have to complete some exceptional requirements right after you’ve graduated from the school. For instance, it is important for you to pass the Exam of NCLEX-RN.

The exam of NCLEX-RN is needed, regardless of whether they earned an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree. In many states, nursing graduates have to wait a minimum of 45 days after earning the diploma before taking the exam. 

Although there are some exceptions, it is typically advisable not to wait for so long after this specific point to take the test as the NCLEX-RN is suitable to take when everything you’ve learned and discovered in the Nursing Courses is still fresh and new in your memory.

There are some people who need more than one go at the test before they finally succeed. A total of 278,815 individuals sat for the exam in 2021, and 68.85% of them passed, as reported by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing). Sixty-eight percent of those with a bachelor’s degree passed on the very first attempt, whereas only seventy-eight percent of those with an associate’s degree did so. 

You are allowed to retake the test as many times as necessary until you succeed. But before they can repeat the test, applicants must wait at least 45 days. Under some conditions, such as those set by certain jurisdictions, you may repeat the test as many times as you want.

Because it is good to pass this on the very first try, you might not want to take this test necessarily on the first date available after graduation. It is everyone’s own decision that should be made with respect to your current confidence related to the material and knowledge. You may prefer to spend a few more months in study after school, so you can take your test with high-end confidence.

Should Nurses Earn The Graduate Degree?

No matter which path you exactly take to achieve the RN license, nursing education does not stop there. You need to expand your clinical skills and knowledge continuously by taking education courses, staying on top of advanced trends, extensive research in the field, and reading medical journals. Moreover, you might be able to decide to head back to nursing school to get your graduate degree.

Professionals who desire to further their careers, provide better care for patients, and assume leadership roles would do well to get a master’s or doctorate degree in nursing. Any graduate-level nurse has the option of becoming an APRN or advanced practice registered nurse. APRNs have advanced degrees and certifications in a subfield of nursing, such as pediatrics or women’s health.