How long does it take to become a registered nurse? The answer to this very real question depends on a number of factors having to do with the person wishing to get this job, the learning institution he or she chooses to go to, and the specific type of nurse that is set as a goal. Of course, there are more types of nurses than one can count, and a registered nurse is just one type.

The main three types of nurses are the nurse anesthetists, midwives, or practitioners, the nursing assistants and orderlies, and the registered nurses. Of the three, we will be dealing with the latter. To find out how long does it take to become a nurse anesthetist, check out our article here.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Registered Nurse?

Let’s take a look at the infographic:

To get more info about nurse salaries, go to our article here. For more specific info about registered nurses’ salaries, check out our article here.

Steps to Becoming a Registered Nurse

A person who wishes to become a registered nurse must go through several stages of higher education. There are three types of paths to landing a job as a registered nurse:

Through an ADN program (Associate’s Degree in Nursing). This is the shortest path to becoming a registered nurse. The general duration of an ADN program is between 2 and 3 years. However, many registered nurses who get an Associate’s Degree end up going back to school for a BSN in order to improve their knowledge base and advance in their careers.

Through a BSN degree (Bachelor of Science in Nursing). This generally takes at least 4 years. Bachelor’s degree programs for nurses develop some much-needed skills through courses in leadership, critical thinking, communication, and social sciences. Teaching positions for nurses require a BSN, as do research, administration, and consulting jobs.

Through an Accelerated Program for Nursing. This type of program is generally the shortest and doesn’t do much in offering a registered nurse the needed skills for becoming good at the job. That’s why we’ve decided not to count this one since nurses always go to another program of learning after it. Still, if someone is looking to get employed as a registered nurse fast, this is the quickest way to go.

What Courses Will I Have?

Those wondering how long does it take to become a registered nurse should also ask themselves about the courses they will be needing in this line of work. Registered nurses in higher learning institutions are generally taught the following disciplines:

• Anatomy, chemistry, and microbiology;
• Physiology and nutrition;
• Psychology and social and behavioral sciences;
• Liberal arts;

Conclusion – How Long Does It Take to Become a Registered Nurse?

Our conclusion would be that becoming a nurse can take as little as 2 years. However, a true registered nurse with hopes of getting a job in a hospital should enroll in a BSN program and possibly a master’s program afterward. This increases the number of years to become a registered nurse to between 6 and 8 years.

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