3 answers
Zae'onna
Student
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Questions
Asked
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Does the years you do in college determine what age you get started with your nursing career?
Also how long do you have to stay in college for nursing and does it depend on what you want to do in the nursing field?
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3 answers
Samson George
Fashion Director
1
Answer
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Samson’s Answer
The years you spend in college can influence the age at which you begin your nursing career, but several factors contribute to this, including the type of nursing degree you pursue, your career goals, and personal circumstances. Here’s a breakdown:
1. How long does it take to become a nurse?
The time you spend in college depends on the type of nursing program and your desired career path:
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN):
• Time required: 1 year of training (typically a diploma or certificate program).
• LPNs/LVNs provide basic nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses or doctors.
• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN):
• Time required: 2 years.
• An ADN qualifies you to become a Registered Nurse (RN). It’s a quicker route to begin working as a nurse.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN):
• Time required: 4 years.
• A BSN provides more opportunities for career advancement and specialization and is increasingly becoming the standard for many healthcare employers.
• Accelerated BSN Programs:
• Time required: 12-24 months.
• These are for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field.
• Master’s or Doctoral Degrees in Nursing:
• Time required: Additional 2-6 years after earning a BSN.
• These programs prepare nurses for advanced practice roles, such as Nurse Practitioner (NP), Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), or leadership and teaching positions.
2. Does it depend on what you want to do in nursing?
Yes, the length of your education depends on your specific career goals in nursing:
• If you want to work in specialized areas (e.g., pediatrics, oncology, or critical care), advanced certifications or degrees (BSN, MSN, or higher) may be necessary.
• Roles like Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Nurse Educator require a master’s or doctoral degree.
3. Other factors to consider
• Age at entry: Some students start nursing school right after high school, while others enter as second-career adults.
• Part-time vs. full-time study: Studying part-time will extend the time it takes to complete your degree.
• Licensure and exams: After graduation, you must pass the NCLEX exam to obtain your nursing license, which adds a few months to your timeline.
Conclusion
The years you spend in college and your starting age in nursing depend on the type of degree and specialization you pursue. A quicker route (like an ADN or LPN program) allows you to start working sooner, while advanced degrees (BSN, MSN, or doctorate) provide more opportunities but require more time.
1. How long does it take to become a nurse?
The time you spend in college depends on the type of nursing program and your desired career path:
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN):
• Time required: 1 year of training (typically a diploma or certificate program).
• LPNs/LVNs provide basic nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses or doctors.
• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN):
• Time required: 2 years.
• An ADN qualifies you to become a Registered Nurse (RN). It’s a quicker route to begin working as a nurse.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN):
• Time required: 4 years.
• A BSN provides more opportunities for career advancement and specialization and is increasingly becoming the standard for many healthcare employers.
• Accelerated BSN Programs:
• Time required: 12-24 months.
• These are for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field.
• Master’s or Doctoral Degrees in Nursing:
• Time required: Additional 2-6 years after earning a BSN.
• These programs prepare nurses for advanced practice roles, such as Nurse Practitioner (NP), Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), or leadership and teaching positions.
2. Does it depend on what you want to do in nursing?
Yes, the length of your education depends on your specific career goals in nursing:
• If you want to work in specialized areas (e.g., pediatrics, oncology, or critical care), advanced certifications or degrees (BSN, MSN, or higher) may be necessary.
• Roles like Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Nurse Educator require a master’s or doctoral degree.
3. Other factors to consider
• Age at entry: Some students start nursing school right after high school, while others enter as second-career adults.
• Part-time vs. full-time study: Studying part-time will extend the time it takes to complete your degree.
• Licensure and exams: After graduation, you must pass the NCLEX exam to obtain your nursing license, which adds a few months to your timeline.
Conclusion
The years you spend in college and your starting age in nursing depend on the type of degree and specialization you pursue. A quicker route (like an ADN or LPN program) allows you to start working sooner, while advanced degrees (BSN, MSN, or doctorate) provide more opportunities but require more time.
Heidi McGregor
Nurse
1
Answer
Oxford, Pennsylvania
Updated
Heidi’s Answer
This is a great question. There are a variety of ways to become a nurse. First, determine your goal. Would you like to be a licensed practical nurse (LPN), or a registered nurse (RN). There are 1-2 year programs to become an LPN. To become a registered nurse (RN) you could earn an associate degree in nursing (ASN) or a bachelor's degree (BSN). These follow different schedules but usually require 3 years for ASN or 4 years for BSN. No matter which degree you obtain you must pass the nursing test (NCLEX) to be a RN. Many schools will have a 2 year ASN degree but there are many pre-requisites to be accepted to the nursing school, so students find they spend about a year completing prerequisites. A BSN is a 4 year degree which you can start full-time from the time you decide to go to nursing school or many community colleges have a relationship with a university so that after you complete your ASN you can transition to BSN to complete your degree within a year. You should also consider that many healthcare facilities will also provide tuition assistance as a benefit. Even if you start out getting certified as a nursing assistant, your place of employment may then help with your tuition to return to nursing school.
Nursing is a life-long learning process. There is always room for growth! After you practice as an RN for a while you might want to consider returning to school for an advanced degree such as nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, or nurse educator. There are many certifications available for nurses to obtain in a specialty that do not require returning to school but do require additional training, education, and testing. These could include critical care certification, emergency nurse certification, infusion nursing, hemocology/oncology certification. The list goes on and on. Good luck.
Nursing is a life-long learning process. There is always room for growth! After you practice as an RN for a while you might want to consider returning to school for an advanced degree such as nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, or nurse educator. There are many certifications available for nurses to obtain in a specialty that do not require returning to school but do require additional training, education, and testing. These could include critical care certification, emergency nurse certification, infusion nursing, hemocology/oncology certification. The list goes on and on. Good luck.
Martin Schoen
APRN
288
Answers
Ocala, Florida
Updated
Martin’s Answer
No. I believe you have to be at least 18 due to handling of narcotics.