How Long Does It Take to Become a Nurse? Less Than Two Years in an Accelerated Program

While the question, “How long does it take to become a nurse?” is simple, the answer is less so. That’s because there are several paths you can take to enter the profession. Depending on where you are now and what your plans are for the future, you could spend anywhere from 15 months to four years preparing to earn a registered nurse (RN) license.

To become an RN, you need an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and you must pass the nurse licensure exam. What you’ll find, however, is that while these education options can get you started in the profession, they don’t produce the same career outcomes.

Concordia University Irvine provides a pathway for individuals with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 65 college credits from an accredited institution to earn a BSN quickly. Through the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, you can earn a BSN in as few as 15 months.

There’s more than one way to become a nurse. Discover the many paths available to help you decide which is best for you.

How Long is Nursing School?

The time commitment for nursing school depends on the type of program you choose. While there are many paths towards a nursing career, the three main academic paths include: 

 

 

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program

If you’re wondering how to become an RN fast, an associate degree in nursing may be on your radar. ADN programs take about two years to complete and focus primarily on clinical skills application. Given that they are less time-consuming and more affordable than traditional BSN programs, ADN programs were the go-to educational path for many people seeking to quickly enter the nursing profession.

Today, however, the healthcare industry has evolved to the point where employers see the value of having more BSN-prepared nurses on staff. Many studies have shown that higher proportions of BSN-educated nurses in hospital settings are associated with better patient outcomes. A BSN is also the minimum degree requirement for many graduate programs.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program

While ADN programs focus mainly on applied skills training, a BSN education dives deeper into the profession. The degree’s well-rounded curriculum covers nursing research, disease prevention, informatics, patient advocacy, and much more. Students have more time to develop a better understanding of how economic, social, and cultural factors affect patients and the healthcare delivery system.

The length of time it takes to earn a BSN varies by individual. If you’re a high school graduate, you need to take the traditional four-year college route. If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or college credits, you may be able to leverage this experience toward a BSN through an accelerated program.

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program

If you already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field of study, you can become a nurse in under two years via an ABSN program. These programs are for second-degree students or those looking to apply non-nursing college credits from an accredited institution towards a BSN. 

Accelerated BSN programs offer the same quality, comprehensive education you expect from a BSN program. Because general education courses are covered in students’ non-nursing bachelor’s degrees or credits, ABSN programs can be completed in less time than traditional BSN programs.

At Concordia University Irvine, the ABSN program offers two learning modality options: a campus-based program at our Spectrum campus in Irvine, California, and a hybrid program at our Rancho Cucamonga, California, learning site, which combines online coursework with in-person learning.

Regardless of the chosen learning modality, students participate in core nursing courses, on-site skills and simulation labs, and clinical placements at clinical sites throughout the respective Orange County, LA County, and Inland Empire areas. Students can earn a BSN in as few as 15 months.

 

 

NCLEX-RN PreparationNCLEX-RN Preparation

Whether you graduate from nursing school with an ADN or a BSN, you must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to legally practice the profession as a registered nurse. Depending on preference, this can be a few weeks to months after graduation. Once you pass and meet your state’s requirements, you can obtain a nursing license from your state board of nursing and start practicing as a registered nurse.

NCLEX-RN preparation begins on your first day of nursing school and ends when you pass the exam. Our ABSN program teaches and continuously reinforces the type of nursing content presented on the NCLEX-RN.

The exam comprises complex, multiple-choice questions and case studies. These questions feature several correct answers, and it’s up to you to determine which one is the most appropriate. Our faculty will coach you on test-taking strategies, including how to break down these questions to reach the correct answer.

Overall, our ABSN program will provide you with a quality, values-based education that prepares you to take the NCLEX-RN and gives you the path to enter the nursing profession with confidence.

Ready When You Are

If you believe you have what it takes to become a nurse, we can help you accelerate into the profession. If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, meet the prerequisite requirements, and meet our additional admissions requirements, you can set your nursing education in motion.

Concordia University Irvine follows a rolling admission process, which means we review ABSN applications as they come in. Thereby, you’ll receive an admission decision from us within a few weeks of submitting your application. More importantly, admitted students can secure a spot in their preferred term in January, May, or August on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contact our admissions team today, and you’ll see it doesn’t take long to become a nurse. Start your journey now!