how many years to study nursing in usa
To become a nurse in the USA, most states require a minimum of 2 years in college to earn an associate degree.
In the United States, to become a Registered Nurse (RN) you need a minimum of an associate degree in nursing. This is usually a two year degree. If you want to become a nurse practitioner, you will need an advanced degree such as a master’s degree or Doctorate in Nursing (DNP) which takes at least 2 additional years to earn.
After earning your associate degree, most students transfer to universities where they earn bachelor’s degrees before beginning their careers as registered nurses.
If you’d like to earn your bachelor’s degree, you need four years of schooling to earn your RN license.
If you’d like to earn your bachelor’s degree, this will require four years of schooling and will be the most common entry-level degree for nurses in the United States. If you’d rather get a master’s degree, this can be done in two years and would typically follow one year of work experience as an RN. Finally, if you’re interested in earning your doctorate as a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist, this can take three to four years after earning a master’s degree.
Finding Nursing Schools
To find nursing schools within the U.S., visit our online database of nursing schools , which allows you to see just about every nursing program available in each state, including diploma programs (typically at hospitals) and associate’s degrees .
There are accelerated nursing programs all over the country that can get you in and out of school faster.
Are you already a registered nurse and looking for more advanced training? Or are you coming from a completely different background? If so, an accelerated nursing program may be the right choice for you. With one of these courses, you can get your nursing degree in around 12 months.
If you’re starting from scratch, it will take you about 8 semesters (4 years) to complete a BSN program.
Earning a bachelor of science in nursing, or BSN, degree typically takes four years. The first two years are devoted to general education courses; the final two years focus on the nursing curriculum. Students who have previous college credits can reduce their time in school by choosing a program that allows you to start in the summer and accelerate your studies, or by seeking out an online BSN degree for working nurses.
There are ways to speed up the process by transferring existing credits and getting credits for prior learning.
However, there are ways to speed up the process by transferring existing credits and getting credits for prior learning.
For example, if you have previously completed a nursing certificate or diploma program, your college may offer an Advanced Standing Program that allows you to transfer your previous credit hours and get a head start on your degree.
An accelerated BSN program is another way to complete your degree in less time. These programs are designed specifically for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in another field and want to pursue nursing as a second career.
The following accelerated programs can be completed in 12-16 months:
Planners say it’s better to plan on four years of school to enter a nursing program.
Even if it turns out that your school or program has a streamlined, accelerated curriculum that allows you to graduate early, it’s a good idea to plan on four full years of study so you’re not caught off-guard.