According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for registered nurses through the year 2020 will increase by 26 percent. This is above average and in real numbers it means over 700,000 new jobs will be available during this time period.
We must remind you that this statistic refers to registered nurses. For the purpose of this article we will focus on registered nursing and answer the question, how long does it take most students to complete the nursing program? Once you’ve completed the nursing program, you have choices. Some choose to go on and get their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). continuing on to get their masters (MSN).
Nursing Programs and Schools
The most vital part of answering the question at hand is education. What school is best?
The answer to this question is dependent on your lifestyle and budget. The expansion of educational options is due to demand and technology. You have the option of attending a community college, a vocational school, and in some cases you can even complete your nursing program online.
Community College
A community college nursing program is a four semester, sixty-eight credit curriculum program that can be completed in as little as 24 months. On completion, the student will gain their Associate in Science Degree, which makes them eligible to take the National Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses.
Vocational Schools
Vocational schools have been famous for their focus and flexibility in particular fields of education. In the past, students could complete certain programs in a much shorter time compared to community colleges; this gap has narrowed. The options are still there for students to take night and weekend classes, which is appealing to students working or needing flexible class schedules. In exchange for these options you will pay higher tuition fees to attend a vocational school.
Online Programs
The stigma attached to online education has quickly evaporated. More and more employers are embracing graduates of online schools. Potential students are also taking a closer look at online schools that offer nursing programs because of flexibility and cost. Being able to do assignments at home, on weekends, around your schedule, allows students more opportunities to enter the nursing field, who otherwise couldn’t.
How Long Will it Take You to Complete These Nursing Programs?
All the program options outlined above are excellent choices. A student attending a vocational school, full time, can complete the program in as little as 18 months. But on average it takes most students between 2 to 3 years to complete the nursing program.
You will find that most schools adhere to a standard curriculum outline that prepares students for the national exam. As mentioned, this involves a minimum amount of classroom credits, clinical training, and passing grades. The variant in most schools is their prerequisites. You must pay close attention to these requirements, as it may be a determining factor in how long it will take you to complete the course.
Accreditation and Other Things to Consider
Accreditation is important for two reasons – standards and transfers.
The whole idea behind a school getting accreditation is to maintain and exceed certain standards. In the case of nursing programs there are two organizations that top the list, they are the The National League for Nursing Accrediting Counsel (NLNAC) and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
What if you need to transfer to a different school or you want to further your career? Things change, you may have to move, and accreditation becomes important when this happens. Most schools will not accept earned credits from a non-accredited school. This also pertains to the other fact we alluded to – furthering your education.
Many nurses want to further their career by attending a university. Accreditation is vital for the transfer of these credits.
Opportunities in the nursing field are tremendous. Fortunately, students who desire to enter this field have several choices for nursing programs. The key is to find the one that fits your schedule, your budget, and your educational needs. As a suggestion, check with employers locally to see which schools they prefer to hire from; this may help you in deciding which school is best for you.