For a professional career, particularly in nursing, health care is a solid and expanding field.
All ages of patients are taken care of by registered nurses (RNs), who operate in a range of healthcare environments.
Knowing more about this profession might help you determine if it’s the appropriate one for you if you’re thinking about pursuing a career in health care.
Therefore, we examine what an RN is in this article, how long it takes to become one, and advice for choosing the best nursing program.
Furthermore, this article shall answer the question; how long does it take to become a Registered Nurse?
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What is a Nursing School like?
Your approach to studying will alter
A LOT of new information will be required of you.
This means that in order to maximize your knowledge intake, you must become conscious of your study habits and modify them.
In the beginning, it will be difficult, but you’ll soon get the feel of it.
You’ll learn to think outside the lines of the textbook.
You will receive a lot of information in the form of textbooks, lectures, and other coursework, but you will also need to use your discretion to find the information in other methods if you don’t fully comprehend the subject.
You can learn by reading the literature, watching videos, or gaining practical experience through paid or volunteer work.
Exams will be a challenge to you because they are set up considerably differently than they are in the hard sciences.
Exams can be particularly difficult because there are no absolutes in nursing.
Become better at comprehending what is being requested of you.
These tests are designed to get you thinking in a particular way rather than to set you up for failure.
Your nursing practice will benefit from this way of thinking.
Furthermore, the first semester of nursing school normally consists of three to four days of lectures and one to two days of simulation labs, though each nursing school will have its unique curriculum.
Lastly, both in scrubs and in casual attire, you’ll spend a lot of time on campus.
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Is Attending a Nursing School Worth It?
Yes it is. Attending a Nursing School is worth it in many ways.
Some of these ways are examined below;
1. Discover New Professional Techniques
Returning to school can be very beneficial to your work because you will learn more professional techniques by the time you complete your degree.
Your ability to assume more responsibility in your organization will increase as a result of your increased skill set, which a BSN can help you achieve.
You might have the abilities and expertise to rise to the position of leadership in your organization if you are a nurse with a BSN.
With this degree, you can take on advanced nursing responsibilities including charge nurse, nurse manager, unit supervisor, division nurse leader, and more!
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2. Increase your theoretical knowledge of healthcare
You will learn more sophisticated healthcare theory when you enroll in a BSN program.
Learn from professionals who are currently working as nurses and other health care professionals who have a burning desire to impart their vast knowledge to others.
You could concentrate on clinical reasoning applications, research, evidence-based practice, teamwork, and leadership in your program.
3. Obtain a Complete Understanding of Patient Care
A BSN degree can help you develop a thorough understanding of patient care in addition to improved knowledge of healthcare theory.
Through practice immersion and experiential learning, this degree will direct you in grasping ideas related to patient care.
Become more knowledgeable about managing information, preventing disease, and developing leadership.
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4. Make the Most of Your Assets
You have a fantastic opportunity to build on your talents when you enroll in an RN-BSN program.
Whether your areas of strength are family-centered health promotion concerns, applied statistics for healthcare, or nurse leadership and development, you can advance in your field or even find a new one!
Don’t be afraid to pursue higher education, make the most of your skills, and discover your calling.
A BSN degree can be very helpful to you and your career on many levels.
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What Schooling Do You Need to Be a Registered Nurse?
The minimum educational requirement for RNs is a two-year associate’s degree; however, many RNs prefer to go on to earn a four-year bachelor’s degree in order to earn more money.
Obtaining a diploma and working while pursuing your bachelor’s degree are two choices on the road to becoming an RN.
Every RN is required to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and obtain a license from their state.
The following are the main choices for RN programs:
1. Diploma Programs
Consider licensed practical nursing (LPN) or licensed vocational nursing (LVN) programs if you want to enter the field soon.
These programs are available from hospitals, career centers, and community colleges.
2. Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
These two-year courses are available at community colleges and vocational schools.
For people pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing who wish to enter the workforce and begin earning money more quickly, an associate’s degree frequently serves as a stepping stone.
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3. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
This four-year program is sometimes required for jobs with better salaries.
The general education requirements for this program, which is available at institutions, are combined with your clinical experiences.
Other choices for nursing education include the RN-BSN bridge program, which enables people with a diploma or associate’s degree to finish their BSN through ongoing education.
The cost of the accelerated BSN program is higher for those who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in a different field of study.
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How Long Does It Take To Become a Licensed Registered Nurse in 2024?
Being a registered nurse might take anything from 16 months to four years, although the average time is around three.
Compared to other nursing occupations, such as certified nursing assistants or licensed nurse practitioners, these professionals frequently have the most comprehensive education.
Usually, they also enjoy the greatest degree of clinical independence.
Depending on your location, the field of medicine you want to work in, the program or level of study you select, and other factors, the exact amount of time it takes to become an RN varies.
The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is a test that prospective nurses must pass to demonstrate their nursing expertise.
If a candidate fails the exam the first time, they may retake it, however there is a 45-day waiting period before the next exam.
Here are numerous routes you can pursue to become an RN, along with the length of time needed to complete each program:
1. Diploma
The minimal educational need to become an RN is frequently a diploma program.
A lot of hospitals and institutions offer clinical practice along with classroom and lecture work, and it might take anywhere from 16 months to two years to finish.
A nursing diploma program’s courses include:
- Anatomy
- Needs for medical care
- Holistic treatment
- Typical health problems
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2. Associate Degree
Usually a two-year curriculum, an associate’s degree in nursing can be completed in 20 to 24 months.
Students who complete this degree program will be equipped with theoretical knowledge and practical nursing abilities.
Advanced programs on this route frequently include:
- Microbiology
- Nutrition
- Pathophysiology
- health evaluation
- Medical Terminology
3. Undergraduate degree
The most typical degree in the area is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and many employers need an RN with this level of education.
A BSN can be earned in three to four years, with the study program placing more emphasis on clinical practice.
Additionally, it offers classes in;
- Ethics
- Chemistry.
- Nursing evaluation and technical terms
- Health care provided to populations
- Health care laws and policies
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RN certification
You can take the NCLEX-RN after completing a recognized nursing diploma, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree program.
You can obtain a nursing license by passing this exam.
This test comprises multiple-choice, multiple-response, fill-in-the-blank, and other question types across four categories and eight subcategories.
Its four subject areas are as follows:
- Environment for care that is safe and efficient
- Promotion and maintenance of health
- Mental and social stability
- Physiological soundness
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How Much Does It Cost to Become a Licensed Registered Nurse in 2024?
The cost of LPV or LPN diploma programs at a public college ranges from $5,000 to $25,000, according to CostHelper.
These costs would more than treble to $20,000 to $40,000 if you attended a private university. These courses last between 12 and 18 months.
According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), an LPN makes an average annual salary of $47,480.
The ADN program, which enables a little higher pay, is by far the most cheap nursing program.
These courses usually last just two years and range in price from $6,000 to $40,000 at public colleges.
The cost of private education ranges from $30,000 to $100,000.
According to CostHelper research, tuition for the BSN program varies greatly.
For a low-cost, in-state public institution, the lowest estimate is $40,000.
Ideally, a private or out-of-state institution will cost at least $200,000.
Notably, the duration of a BSN program is four years.
The ACCN offers a summary of the components that each BSN program must have.
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Salary and Job Outlook for Registered Nurses after Study
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) projects that there will be 7% more job possibilities for registered nurses over the next ten years.
Given that nursing is a part of the expanding healthcare sector, this number is higher than the norm for most vocations.
As the number of older adults increases due to higher life expectancies and active lives, nurses play a crucial role in this market.
The demand for home health services, long-term care, preventative care, and an increase in chronic illnesses have led to a greater need for nursing experts in the medical area.
A registered nurse makes, on average, $61,857 annually.
Additionally, some nurses decide to increase their pay by taking advantage of possibilities for overtime, which might add up to almost $11,000 more per year.
Registered nurses make more money than licensed or vocational nurses.
Conclusion
In conclusion, RNs must have a thorough awareness of the human body, health, and the healthcare system because they are medical professionals with some of the most important and delicate responsibilities.
Therefore,start by enrolling in an online course that can help your future profession if you are thinking about becoming an RN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students who complete a 3-year nursing diploma program will be qualified to work as enrolled nurses or staffing nurses.
A diploma program takes less time to complete than a bachelor’s program, and students receive less in-depth knowledge.
Compared to many other professions, nursing demands more commitment.
It is, however, one of the most satisfying occupations you can have.
Nursing school is infamously challenging—and not for everyone. Additionally difficult is graduate school.
Of course, an RN can go on to become a physician.
They can enroll in medical school as regular students do after receiving a Bachelor’s degree and becoming an MD or DO.
Alternatively, an RN could pursue a doctor of nursing (DNP), which is a degree in education and does not provide any clinical authority.
It is without a doubt a tremendously stressful profession to work in nursing.
Although the majority of nurses are aware of the difficulties nursing presents from the outset, many professionals are occasionally caught off guard by just how stressful becoming an RN can be.