how many years does it take to become a nurse

How Many Years Does It Take to be a Nurse? You might be surprised!

"Patience is an important virtue and the best things in life are always worth waiting for." You might have heard this old adage a million times but it doesn't fit right with you. You have your life mapped out and you don't want to waste time to achieve your goals. With a steady growth and above average earning, it's no wonder eager-beavers like you are pursuing nursing careers. But you don't want to spend years in school. Fortunately, there are several ways that you can become a nurse.

If you're wondering how you can become a nurse, one of the questions that you might be asking yourself is how long it will take you to become a nurse. Becoming a nurse can take anywhere from two to four years depending on the type of degree you want to pursue. However, the ADN is the most common route to become a registered nurse, and usually takes two years or less, if you choose an accelerated degree program.

Don't Wait to Learn More About ECPI University's Degree Programs!

Reasons to Consider an Accelerated ADN Programs

RNs are in high demand

You have most likely heard of the national nursing workforce shortage. The massive baby boomer generation that made up nearly one-third of the entire U.S. population started turning 65 in the year 2011. As they age, more nurses will be needed to manage their declining health. Additionally, retiring baby boomer nurses will also create more jobs in the nursing industry. The Affordable Care Act has also changed the way nurses deliver care as it emphasizes closer collaboration with patients.

Job flexibility

Do you want to work in a hospital or a private clinic? In a school? Take your pick. There are different types of nurses and different places that you can work as an RN, a position you could earn after graduating from an accredited educational program and passing the NCLEX exam. Furthermore, the schedule of a nurse isn't fixed. While you may have to work occasionally at night, during the weekend or on holidays, you could benefit from working longer shifts.

Job satisfaction

In a recent survey that was conducted on over 88,000 RNs, over 90 percent of the participants stated that they were satisfied with their nursing careers. This shouldn't come as a surprise considering the exceptional benefits, compensation, and job security. Moreover, nurses also get personal satisfaction from assisting other people to recover from illnesses. There is no other career that will give you the chance to help save lives on a daily basis.

Quick degree programs

A traditional nursing degree program often takes four years or more to complete. However, schools that have accelerated ADN programs allow you to finish your associate's degree in as little as 18 months.

Finishing your Associate's Degree in Nursing Gets You Started on your Career Sooner

Choosing the ADN route to become an RN has several benefits. The most obvious one is that you will complete your education sooner than if you pursued a bachelor's degree. Earning your license in less than two years could get you into the nursing workforce faster, and you can start earning money.

While some hospitals may prefer nurses with BSN degrees, there is still a high demand for nurses who hold an ADN. In fact, the BLS projects employment opportunities for nurses will grow by 15 percent much faster than the national average from 2016 to 2026.

The employment growth isn't just for nurses with a bachelor's degree. According to a recent survey of registered nursing jobs posted, 68 percent of the jobs required nurses with a minimum of an ADN degree while 28 percent required a bachelor's degree.

ADN vs. BSN

For many RNs with an ADN, earning a BSN is the next step in advancing their career. Earning a BSN will qualify you for leadership and management roles in a hospital setting. When the time comes for you to earn your BSN, your employer may be willing to help you, and you don't have to leave work. There are many schools that offer online and hybrid programs.

Are you interested in becoming a nurse? If you want to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, ECPI University offers this degree at an accelerated rate. For more information, connect with a helpful admissions advisor today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make !

Learn more about ECPI University's College of Nursing TODAY!

DISCLAIMER – ECPI University makes no claim, warranty, or guarantee as to actual employability or earning potential to current, past or future students or graduates of any educational program we offer. The ECPI University website is published for informational purposes only. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained on the ECPI.edu domain; however, no warranty of accuracy is made. No contractual rights, either expressed or implied, are created by its content.

Gainful Employment Information – Nursing - Associate 's

For more information about ECPI University or any of our programs click here: http://www.ecpi.edu/ or http://ow.ly/Ca1ya.