How Long Does It Take To Become a Nurse?

The nursing field enables professionals to make it their life’s work to serve others. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for a registered nurse (RN) as of May 2023 was $86,070.¹

You may be wondering, How long does it take to become a nurse, exactly? There is no one universal answer, as the journey can vary for every aspiring nurse. Here, we’ll take a look at some common academic and career paths, and address common questions such as, How long does it take to get a BSN?

In This Article:

• Steps To Become a Nurse
• Are Registered Nurses Needed? 
• Becoming a Registered Nurse (RN)
• Gaining RN Licensure With the NCLEX-RN
• How Long Is Schooling for a Nurse With an Associate Degree?
• How Long Does It Take To Get a BSN With a Non-Nursing Bachelor’s?
• Should Professionals Earn a Graduate Nursing Degree?
• Career Advancement Opportunities Within the Nursing Field
• Should I Become a Nurse at GCU?

Steps To Become a Nurse

Before taking a look at the question, How long does it take to become an RN?, it’s important to understand that there are different steps in the journey. Here are the main steps that you’ll need to complete to become an RN:²

• Complete an accredited and state approved nursing program
• Take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN^®)
• Obtain a state nursing license 
• Land a nursing job

Naturally, it can take different people varying amounts of time to complete each of these steps. The issue becomes even more complex when you consider there are different types of nursing programs. For example, you can pursue a nursing career with a/an:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)
• Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS)

Furthermore, if you already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or a minimum amount of non-nursing college credits, you might qualify to apply to an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, which confers a BSN and can typically be completed on an accelerated timeline.

Your own answer to the question, How long is schooling for a nurse? will also depend on whether you have any transfer credits. At Grand Canyon University, you may be able to transfer up to 90 credits toward a BSN (only 84 can be lower division). 

Are Registered Nurses Needed?

There is a critical need for more qualified registered nurses to care for patients in the U.S. The shortage of nurses is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, creating new opportunities to individuals who decide to pursue this career field.³

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates job growth for registered nurses to increase by about 6% from 2022 to 2032, faster than average, accounting for the addition of an estimated 177,400 jobs in the field.⁴ More nurses are needed to care for the aging population, for patients with chronic diseases and to replace current nurses who are expected to retire in the years to come.

Similarly, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates job growth for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners to increase by about 38% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than average, accounting for an estimated increase of 123,600 jobs in the field.⁵ 

Becoming a Registered Nurse (RN)

High school students who already know they would like to become a registered nurse can begin preparing right away. It is advisable to take as many science, math and health-related classes in high school as possible. Computer applications courses may also be helpful, as healthcare is becoming increasingly high-tech.

After high school, you can look for a university that offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. It is important to choose an accredited pre-licensure program. BSN programs can be accredited by organizations that indicate that the curriculum has met certain quality standards.

This degree program will blend classroom instruction with hands-on learning experiences. Nursing programs include experiential learning in simulation suites, allowing students to practice interacting with “patients” in mock clinical experiences. They also offer the opportunity to work with healthcare organizations to obtain practical experience.

Gaining RN Licensure With the NCLEX-RN

After graduating with a BSN, aspiring nurses must then take the NCLEX-RN. It is mandatory to pass this exam before you can legally practice as a nurse.² It is best not to wait too long after graduation to take the exam since you’ll want the material to be fresh in your mind.

Passing the NCLEX-RN is not the only requirement necessary to obtain a state nursing license. Aspiring nurses must also meet other state requirements, such as undergoing a criminal background check. The full list of requirements vary by state, so be sure to check the requirements for your state.² Once you receive your state license, you are legally able to begin working as a registered nurse. 

How Long Is Schooling for a Nurse With an Associate Degree?

Not every aspiring nurse earns a BSN right after graduating from high school. There is another possible pathway. It’s possible to become an RN with an associate degree and a passing score on the NCLEX-RN.²

Like a BSN program, an associate degree will combine classroom learning with hands-on lab experiences. Earning an associate degree rather than a BSN can allow individuals to enter the career field more quickly. However, employers generally prefer to hire BSN-prepared nurses.⁶ Research suggests that patient mortality may be correlated. For example, a study found that increasing the number of BSN-prepared nurses in a hospital unit by 10% resulted in a 10.9% reduction in patient mortality.⁶

Nurses with associate degrees may decide to return to school to earn a BSN to enhance their career qualifications and explore how to provide better patient care. As professionals who are already working, licensed nurses do not need to attend a pre-licensure BSN program. Instead, they can opt for an RN to BSN degree program, which draws on previously acquired knowledge and skills. Nurses can complete the RN to BSN program at GCU in as little as 14 months.⁷ The length of time needed to complete an RN to BSN program will vary, depending on the student’s credit transfers. 

How Long Does It Take To Get a BSN With a Non-Nursing Bachelor’s?

The first two career pathways mentioned to become an RN are for individuals who decide to earn a nursing degree after high school.

However, there is a third career pathway for working professionals who have a non-nursing degree. It is the accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) degree program. By enrolling in an ABSN program, it is not necessary for someone to start from square one and complete general education/non-nursing curriculum. 

At GCU, students can earn an ABSN in 16 months.⁸ Do note, however, that the ABSN is not a program that can be completed after working hours and on weekends. It does require a full-time commitment, and students can expect a challenging curriculum that calls for serious dedication. Despite the challenges, a typical ABSN program can offer some flexibility. Students can often take many classes online which can cut down on their daily commute and provide more time for material review.

In order to graduate fully competent, knowledgeable nurses, ABSN programs offer:

• Hands-on learning experiences in nursing skills laboratory classes
• Practical experience in clinical rotations at healthcare facilities
• Nursing simulation that allow students to practice clinical interactions

An ABSN program cannot be completed entirely online. Like other nursing degree programs, the ABSN requires hands-on learning experiences.

After successfully graduating from an ABSN program, graduates can take the NCLEX-RN exam. They will also need to meet any other requirements established by their state licensing board.²

Should Professionals Earn a Graduate Nursing Degree? 

RNs who hold a BSN may go on to earn a graduate-level nursing degree. A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) teach advanced nursing knowledge and skills, such as a better understanding of how to improve patient care. 

The time it can take to complete these programs will vary depending on the specific program and factors that are unique to individuals. For example, some RNs complete graduate degrees on a part-time basis while continuing to work full-time as nurses, while others temporarily stop working in order to attend school on a full-time basis.

MSN- and DNP-prepared nurses are taught to provide exceptional patient care and to make valuable contributions to their organizations. In addition, a graduate degree may pave the way for pursuing career advancement opportunities.⁹

Career Advancement Opportunities Within the Nursing Field

RNs who do decide to earn either an MSN or a DNP — or both — may decide to pursue licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). An APRN is an RN who is able to provide advanced, specialized care to various patient populations. Highly educated APRNs play an important role in the healthcare system, and are able to assess, diagnose, treat and manage patients’ healthcare conditions.¹⁰

These are the four main types of APRNs:

• Nurse Practitioner (NP): An NP is able to deliver primary, acute and specialty healthcare to patients across the lifespan. They focus on health management and disease prevention, and can order and interpret medical tests. An NP can choose a subspecialty, such as adult-gerontology, acute care pediatrics, neonatal care or psychiatric care.
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): A CRNA specializes in anesthetics. They work with patients before, during and after surgery, performing pre-operative assessments, delivering patient education, administering anesthetics, monitoring the patient’s health during the operation and providing post-operative care.
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): A CNS specializes disease treatment and management and can work with particular patient populations, medical sub-specialty or healthcare setting. For instance, a CNS might specialize in pediatrics, geriatrics, women’s health, diabetes, oncology, critical care or psychiatric care, just to name a few possibilities.
• Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM): As the job title suggests, a CNM specializes in providing well-woman care. These professionals deliver preconception and prenatal care, as well as care during labor and delivery and the postpartum period. A CNM can also provide newborn care, family planning and gynecological care.

RNs who would like to become an APRN will first need to earn a graduate degree and complete the necessary hours of clinical experience. Then, they will need to pass an APRN certification exam for the specialty they have chosen. The final step is to obtain state licensure as an APRN.

Should I Become a Nurse at GCU?

You can work toward pursuing a career in the nursing field when you become a student at Grand Canyon University. In addition to our pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, we’re pleased to offer the accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.