The shortest time to enter the nursing field is typically with a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) program, which can be completed in as little as 11 to 12 months.
Becoming an LPN or LVN takes one year and is the quickest way to start a nursing career, though it means a more limited scope of practice. Becoming an RN typically takes 2-4 years, depending on your degree level, and requires graduating from a BSN program.
The duration for the nursing course at this level is typically 2 years. It teaches candidates about general nursing care, maternal and child health. ANMs are usually employed in rural health missions and in primary care.
RN diploma and Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs are typically the fastest pathways, most often taking as little as two years to complete. ADN programs, offered at vocational and community colleges and some universities, are more commonly available than RN diploma programs, which hospitals offer.
You can become an RN in two years with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a nursing diploma. These programs offer faster entry into a registered nursing career than a four-year degree but may limit your career advancement options later.
For those holding a bachelor's degree in another field, a one-year nursing program offers a swift and efficient path to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a career as a registered nurse (RN).
The highest-paid nurses are Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), who administer anesthesia and earn significantly more than other nursing roles, often exceeding $200,000 annually. Other top earners include Nurse Practitioners (NPs), Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs), and specialized roles like Pain Management Nurses, often requiring advanced degrees (Master's or Doctorate) and certifications.
Becoming a nurse at 40 — or even later — is entirely possible. There are certain advantages to beginning a nursing career later in life. Since you already have work experience and a prior education, you'll bring more to your new career than someone who starts working toward a nursing career right after high school.
Several nursing roles such as school nursing, occupational health nursing, and nurse education are identified as low-stress yet fulfilling career paths within healthcare, offering regular schedules, competitive salaries, and less physically demanding environments.
The "5 levels of nurses" can refer to career progression from assistant to advanced practice, or to professional skill development stages, but commonly involves: Assistant in Nursing (AIN) (basic care under supervision), Enrolled Nurse (EN) (diploma level, supervised), Registered Nurse (RN) (degree level, independent practice), Clinical Nurse/Specialist (experienced RN, leadership), and Nurse Practitioner (NP) (advanced degree, diagnosing/prescribing).
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, or BSN, is a four-year bachelor's degree done at a university or college. A BSN degree offers a much broader education than the 2-year associate degree in nursing (ADN) and opens a whole new set of possibilities for a nursing career.
Accelerated or shortened courses are available in certain clinical professions such as nursing and the allied health professions. Typically, these courses allow graduates to undertake training in two years instead of three or four.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): 2 years
An ADN allows you to become an RN in approximately two years. This program includes general education courses, core nursing classes, and clinical training. Graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN to become licensed.
While the standard Bachelor of Nursing is a 3-year qualification, the accelerated course enables students who have completed an enrolled nursing qualification in the past 5 years to become a registered nurse in 2 years. A registered nursing degree is a step up from an enrolled nursing course.
Prioritize Daily Tasks by Importance
The fastest nursing programs are Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) programs, often taking 12-15 months for those with a prior bachelor's degree, or LPN/LVN programs, which can be completed in under a year (around 45 weeks) for basic practical nursing. These intensive courses allow you to become a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) much quicker than traditional routes, focusing on core nursing knowledge and clinicals.
Top 10 Happiest Nursing Jobs
You should not feel like you cannot work as a nurse if you experience anxiety. Many nurses with anxiety deal with their situations in positive ways that actually make them better nurses. And given the variety of potential work environments, a job change may work wonders.
Audiologist. An audiologist is a qualified healthcare professional who works with people with hearing impairments. It's reportedly one of the least stressful jobs in Australia, noted for good growth potential, low risk, clear job expectations, no deadlines and no physical labour.
There is no age limit for a nursing career. In fact, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the median age of RNs is 46 years. This means becoming a nurse later in life is not only possible, but you will also find many colleagues in your age range.
Most nurses attend nursing school for 2-4 years to become a registered nurse (RN). Generally, an associate degree in nursing (ADN) is a two-year program, a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) is a four-year program, and a master of science in nursing (MSN) is a two-year program.
The lowest-paid nurses are typically entry-level Enrolled Nurses (ENs) or Nursing Assistants/Assistants in Nursing (AINs), especially those in training or early career stages, with wages varying by country and state but generally starting significantly lower than Registered Nurses (RNs), sometimes below $30/hour or equivalent in local currency, as they perform more basic, supervised patient care.
Research with patients and patient outcomes has shown that nurses with a BSN have better patient outcomes on average. So, in a competitive healthcare market that must maximize patient outcomes, BSN has become the preferred degree for most hiring efforts.
Nurses often work long hours performing tasks that are both physically and emotionally demanding. What's more, the work nurses perform can have important and even life-or-death consequences for patients, significantly adding to workplace stress.