How long is nursing school?

Nursing school length by route

Nursing school length depends on the license you want: a CNA takes weeks, an LPN about a year, a registered nurse 2 to 4 years, and an advanced practice nurse 2 to 3 more years after the BSN.^{[ooh_rn][ooh_lpn][ecfr152][coa]} The table lists each route with the pay it leads to.

How long does it take to become a nurse?

It takes 2 to 4 years to become a registered nurse: about 2 years for an ADN, 2 to 3 years for a hospital diploma and 4 years for a BSN, followed by the NCLEX-RN; the steps and admission requirements are on how to become a registered nurse.^[ooh_rn] BLS states that BSN programs typically take 4 years and diploma programs 2 to 3 years. ADN programs at community colleges usually list four or five semesters of nursing courses, and most also require prerequisite science courses that can add a semester or two before you start.^{[s_epcc_adn][s_mclennan]}

BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education for registered nurses, and many hospitals prefer BSN graduates, so ADN nurses often finish an RN to BSN later while working.^[ooh_rn] The NCLEX-RN registration fee is $200, rising to $350 on February 1, 2027.^[nclex_fee]

How long is an accelerated BSN?

An accelerated BSN can take as little as 12 months of full-time study for people who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field. University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (WI): 12 months, at a published tuition of $50,338.^[s_uwo] BLS lists accelerated programs among the routes into nursing for people with a degree in another field.^[ooh_rn]

How long is LPN school?

LPN school takes about one year: BLS says practical nursing programs typically take about 1 year to complete, and they end with a certificate or diploma and the NCLEX-PN.^[ooh_lpn] MiraCosta College (CA): 14 months full-time (24 part-time); Manatee Technical College (FL): 1,350 hours, about 11–13 months (day).^{[s_miracosta][s_manatee]} LPNs who go on to become RNs can use bridge programs that credit their training; see LPN to RN.

How long is CNA training?

CNA training takes at least 75 clock hours under federal rules, with at least 16 hours of supervised clinical practice, and several states require more.^[ecfr152] Most programs finish in a few weeks to one semester; details and state hour rules are on how to become a CNA.

How long is nurse practitioner and CRNA school?

Nurse practitioner school takes about 2 years or more after a BSN, depending on whether the program awards an MSN or a DNP and how many courses you take each term; nurse anesthesia school takes at least 3 years of full-time doctoral study after at least 1 year of critical care work.^{[ooh_aprn][coa]} Arkansas State University (AR): as few as 24 months, 41 credits; Texas State University (TX): as few as 24 months, 43 credits.^{[s_astate][s_txst]} Requirements and costs are on nurse practitioner school and CRNA school.

Total time from day one to each role

Adding the steps together, the fastest route to registered nurse pay is about 2 to 3 years through an ADN including prerequisites, and the route to the highest nursing pay, CRNA, is roughly 8 years through a BSN, one ICU year and a 3-year doctorate.^{[ooh_rn][coa]} Costs for each route are compared on nursing school cost, and pay for each role is on registered nurse salary and nurse salary by state.