How Long Is Nursing School? Breakdown by Degree and Type of Nurse

By Melissa Brock. January 30, 2025 · 10 minute read

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How Long Is Nursing School? Breakdown by Degree and Type of Nurse

If you’re planning to become a nurse, you may be wondering how long it takes to go to nursing school. The answer to that question depends on the degree you’d like to earn and what type of nurse you want to be. For instance, becoming a registered nurse (RN) with a bachelor of science in nursing degree (BSN) takes longer than becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN).

If you’re wondering, how long is nursing school?, read on to learn how the type of degree you pursue and the kind of nurse you’d like to become affect how many years of school it takes to become a nurse.

Key Points

•   The length of time it takes to complete nursing school depends on the type of nurse a student wants to be and the type of degree earned.

•   Licensed practical nurse (LPN) programs are typically one year, preparing students for basic practical nursing roles.

•   Associate nursing (ADN) programs require two years of study, qualifying graduates for RN positions but potentially fewer opportunities for career advancement.

•   Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs span four years, offering broader career and leadership opportunities post-RN licensure.

•   Master of science in nursing (MSN) programs take 2-3 years post-BSN, enhancing specialized knowledge and advanced practice skills.

Length of Nursing School by Degree and Program

Nursing school program length varies by the type of degree you’re working toward and the program you choose. Here are some common programs and degrees for students and the nursing school timeline for each.

LPN/LVN Program

An LPN, a licensed practical nurse — referred to as an LVN, licensed vocational nurse in California and Texas — is a nurse that performs basic tasks such as checking patients’ vital signs, administering basic comfort care, keeping records, and maintaining communication with patients and their families. LPNs and LVNs work in nursing homes, extended care facilities, hospitals, physicians’ offices, and in home health care under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and doctors.

To become an LPN or LVN, you must have a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) and enroll in an accredited practical nursing program at a community college or vocational school.

•   Number of credit hours required: Between 36 and 40

•   Program length: Typically one year if you attend school full-time, and up to two years for part-time students

Once a nurse completes an LPN/LVN program, they must apply for testing authorization through their local board of nursing and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. After receiving authorization, they can take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). A nurse must pass the exam to receive their license to work.

Nursing Diploma

Diplomas or certificate programs were the standard for nursing training until the 1950s. Students can still become RNs by attending a hospital nursing school instead of a college or university, but there are no longer many accredited programs available in the U.S.

These programs typically focus on clinical training rather than general education. You won’t earn a degree with this program, and your academic credits generally won’t transfer to a degree program. Instead, you’ll qualify to take the NCLEX-RN exam. If you pass, you’ll become a licensed RN, which qualifies you for entry-level jobs. However, job opportunities for those with a nursing diploma may be limited. This is something to keep in mind when you think about life after school and living on a budget as a nurse.

To get a nursing diploma, you’ll need a high school diploma or GED certificate and be enrolled in an accredited hospital nursing school.

•   Number of credit hours required: 50

•   Program length: One year

Associate Degree in Nursing

You might consider an associate degree in nursing (ADN) to become an RN if you want to finish nursing school quickly or you’re concerned about paying for the cost of nursing school. Plus, you could always go back to school later — an ADN allows you to apply credits toward a future bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) or master of science in nursing (MSN).

However, ADN students may find that their advancement and salary opportunities as a nurse are limited. So think carefully about whether an ADN makes sense for your goals.

To gain admittance to an ADN program, you must have a high school diploma or GED certificate, take math and science courses in high school, and meet GPA requirements to enter a nursing program.

•   Number of credit hours required: 60 to 75

•   Program length: Two years

ADN students must also complete a certain number of clinical hours at a health-care site. Graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to start working as a nurse.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

A bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program allows students to become an RN and offers them more career opportunities, including leadership positions. While BSN programs take longer and are more costly to complete than ADN programs, students can earn a combination of credits through online, hybrid, and in-person classes.

To qualify for a BSN program, you need to have taken high school math and science courses and earned a high school diploma or GED certificate. You also must meet a school’s GPA requirements, which is typically at least a 3.0.

•   Number of credit hours required: 120

•   Program length: Four years

BSN students must fulfill clinical hour requirements based on their program and state to graduate. They will then need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam to begin working as a nurse. If they choose to, they can apply their BSN credits toward a master of science in nursing (MSN).

Master of Science in Nursing

Earning an MSN allows you to work as an advanced practice nurse, such as a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, nurse educator, or nurse administrator.

If you’re wondering, how long is nursing school after undergraduate school?, it typically depends on the type of degree you already have, which dictates the type of MSN program you can take.

•   BSN to MSN: These programs are for those who already have a BSN and at least one year of RN experience. To earn an MSN you must meet clinical and practice requirements at a health-care facility.

   Program length: Two to three years

•   MSN bridge program: This option is for RNs with associate degrees. It combines the last two years of a BSN program with an MSN program.

   Program length: Three years

•   Direct-entry master’s degree: Qualified applicants with a non-nursing bachelor’s or graduate degree may pursue a direct-entry graduate nursing program. It counts existing college credits, especially those earned in STEM courses, toward the MSN. Students must take a condensed BSN curriculum for a year, pass the NCLEX-RN, and earn an RN license before advancing to the MSN part of the program.

   Program length: 18 to 36 months

•   Dual master’s degree: RNs pursuing advanced leadership roles such as nursing administrator or clinical informatics manager, can pursue a dual master’s degree program, such as an MSN/MBA. The degree combines business, nursing practice, and administration.

   Program length: Three to four years

Doctor of Nursing Practice

A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is for nurses who seek the highest level of expertise and leadership in the field. These nurses work to influence health-care outcomes through leadership, health policy implementation, and direct patient care. They often work in nurse management, organizational leadership, and health policy, or in health informatics systems functioning as nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and nurse practitioners.

To earn a DNP, a nurse must have a license as an RN and an MSN or more advanced degree, or they must hold a BSN and master’s degree in another discipline.

   Number of credit hours required: 33 to 43 and at least 500 clinical practice hours

   Program length: One to two years of full-time coursework or two to three years of part-time coursework

Recommended: Ways to Pay for Nursing School

How Long to Become a Registered Nurse?

There are multiple pathways to becoming an RN, and depending on the program you opt for, you can become an RN in one year, two years, or four years.

   In one year: you can become an RN by earning a nursing diploma from an accredited school

   In two years: you can become an RN by earning an ADN

   In four-years: you can become an RN by earning a BSN degree

In each case, after earning your degree, you will need to take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam and then obtain a nursing license in your state before you can start working as an RN.

How Long to Become a Nurse Practitioner?

If you’re thinking about a more specialized or advanced degree, you might be interested in becoming a nurse practitioner (NP). NPs have many professional responsibilities, including assessing and diagnosing patients, creating treatment plans, and prescribing medication.

NPs must have either a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing. That means it takes between six to eight years of schooling to become a licensed nurse practitioner.

The Cost of Nursing School

As you’re thinking about a nursing school timeline, you’ll also want to consider the cost of earning your degree. The average cost of nursing school is approximately $30,884 annually for a four-year BSN degree.

Fortunately, there are options to help nursing students afford their schooling, including federal student loans, scholarships and grants, and private student loans. Be sure to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what you qualify for.

Also, keep in mind that there are ways to make paying your student loans more manageable, including income-driven repayment plans for federal student loans, loan repayment assistance programs offered by various states and organizations, and student loan refinancing.

When you refinance student loans, you replace your current loans with a new loan from a private lender such as a bank, credit union, or online lender. Ideally, the new loan will have a lower interest rate and more favorable loan terms.

If you can secure a lower interest rate, refinancing student loans to save money may make sense for you to help pay for nursing school. Be sure to explore all your options.

Using a student loan refinancing calculator can help you see what your monthly payment might be if you choose to refinance.

Recommended: Student Loan Refinancing Guide

The Takeaway

How long nursing school takes to complete depends on your career goals. It generally takes just one year for a nursing diploma, but it can take as long as eight years for a doctoral degree. Think carefully about the program and career path that makes the most sense for you.

Nursing school can be expensive, and many students use federal student loans to help pay for it. They might also fill any funding gaps with private student loans.

Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.


With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.

FAQs

How many years is nursing school?

The nursing school timeline depends on the type of degree you pursue. If you’d like to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN), which is called a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) in some states, it can take just one year to meet all the requirements. However, if you want to earn a bachelor of science in nursing degree (BSN), it typically takes four years, while a doctoral degree (DNP) can take up to eight years.

What is the shortest schooling for nursing?

The quickest way to become a nurse is to earn a licensed practical nurse (LPN)/licensed vocational nurse (LVN) degree, which generally takes one year to complete. However, the degree doesn’t necessarily offer as many opportunities for career advancement. Typically, the more education you have, and the more advanced the degree, the better your chances to move up in your career and earn a higher salary. Explore the different degrees, types of nurses, and schooling options to determine what is the best fit for you.

Is nursing school hard?

Nursing school is rigorous and demanding. It requires you to take challenging classes like physiology, pharmacology, and ethics. In addition, clinical rotations require working with patients in health-care scenarios, where you’ll juggle multiple responsibilities. You’ll also have to take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to get your license to practice.


Photo credit: iStock/FatCamera

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