It typically takes between 1 to 4 years to become a nurse, depending on the nursing role and educational path chosen. For example:
- Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) usually takes about 12 to 18 months.
- An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) typically takes about 2 years.
- A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) usually takes around 4 years.
- Accelerated BSN programs can shorten the BSN timeline to about 16-18 months if you already have prior college credits.
- Advanced practice nurses such as Nurse Practitioners require additional education beyond the BSN, often 2 to 5 more years.
The time can vary based on full-time or part-time study, program format (traditional vs. accelerated), and clinical requirements.