Want to Be a Registered Nurse? Here’s How Long It’ll Take

Exploring One of the Most Trusted and Rewarding Careers in Healthcare

If you're passionate about patient care, thrive in fast-paced environments, and want to make a tangible impact in people’s lives, a career in nursing might be your calling. Registered Nurses (RNs) are at the forefront of modern healthcare, working alongside physicians in hospitals, clinics, schools, and community health centers. With flexible training pathways, a growing demand, and diverse specializations, nursing offers a fulfilling career and multiple entry points for aspiring professionals.

In this guide, we’ll explore how long it takes to become a registered nurse, the education options available, salary expectations, job outlook, and how a pre-nursing internship abroad with Go Elective can give you a powerful head start.

> Explore Go-Elective Nursing Electives Abroad

Why Nursing Is Still a Top Career Choice 

1. A Critical Role in Patient Care

Registered nurses serve as the bridge between patients and physicians, providing hands-on care, education, emotional support, and follow-up across all stages of treatment. They’re often the most trusted healthcare professionals in a patient's journey.

2. Diverse Career Pathways

From neonatal intensive care and emergency trauma nursing to public health and palliative care, there are countless specializations. This flexibility allows RNs to align their work with personal interests and lifestyle goals.

3. Fast Entry and Strong Earning Potential

Unlike medical doctors, who spend over a decade in training, RNs can begin working in as little as 2 to 4 years, with opportunities for continued growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for RNs in 2025 is estimated at $89,500, with top earners exceeding $130,000.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Registered Nurse?

The timeline depends on the educational path you choose. Here are the most common routes:

1. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) – 12 to 18 Months

A fast-track entry into nursing, LPN programs typically take about one year and are available at community colleges and technical schools.

• Licensure: Requires passing the NCLEX-PN exam.
• Limitations: LPNs work under the supervision of RNs or doctors and have a more limited scope of practice.
• Median Salary: ~$60,000 annually (BLS 2023).

Why Choose LPN?

Ideal for students seeking rapid employment and a stepping stone toward RN licensure through LPN-to-RN bridge programs.

2. Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) – 2 to 3 Years

An ADN is the quickest pathway to becoming an RN. Most ADN programs are completed in 2 years, with an additional 6–12 months for prerequisites if needed.

• Licensure: Prepares you for the NCLEX-RN.
• Median Salary: ~$85,000 annually.
• Cost: Around $6,000–$20,000 total (community college tuition).

Why Choose ADN?

Affordable and efficient for those eager to enter the workforce, though BSN-prepared nurses may have broader opportunities.

3. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – 4 Years

A BSN is a four-year degree that provides comprehensive clinical and leadership training. Many hospitals and health systems now prefer or require BSN-prepared nurses.

• Accelerated BSN (ABSN) options exist for students with a prior bachelor’s degree (12–18 months).
• Curriculum includes ethics, leadership, research, and cultural competence in addition to clinical rotations.
• Median Salary: ~$95,000 or more depending on region and specialty.

Why Choose BSN?

Higher earning potential, leadership opportunities, and eligibility for graduate programs such as Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS).

Other Factors That Affect the Timeline

• Prerequisites: Not having prior coursework in anatomy, microbiology, or chemistry may extend your timeline by 6–12 months.
• Part-Time Study: Working students may take 3–6 years to complete their programs.
• NCLEX-RN Prep and State Licensure: Can take 1–3 months post-graduation to complete.

Registered Nurse Salary and Job Outlook Today 

Salary Expectations

Top earners, especially those in critical care or advanced practice, can make well over $130,000 annually.

Job Growth

• Projected growth (2023–2033): 6%
• New jobs added annually: ~194,500
• Driving factors: Aging population, chronic disease, rural shortages, expanded telehealth

Work Settings for RNs

RNs are employed in a wide range of environments:

• Hospitals (over 60% of RN employment)
• Community health centers
• Home healthcare and hospice
• Military and correctional facilities
• Schools, NGOs, and telemedicine platforms

With new models of care emerging, nurses now play roles in case management, public health outreach, and global health initiatives.

Enhancing Your Nursing Journey with Go Elective

Global Pre-Nursing Internships

Interested in making a difference while preparing for nursing school? Go Elective offers pre-nursing internships in Kenya and Tanzania, designed for high school, college, LPN, and RN students.

• Shadow nurses and physicians in real clinical settings
• Participate in community outreach, maternal health, and pediatric care
• Explore nursing specialties including trauma, critical care, orthopedics, and infection control
• Gain hours for your application while building cultural competence

Whether you're pursuing your ADN or BSN—or already working as an LPN or RN—this experience offers meaningful exposure to global healthcare systems and underserved populations.

Final Thoughts: Your Path to Becoming an RN

How long it takes to become a registered nurse depends on the path you choose:

• LPN: 1 year to start working in basic care roles
• ADN: 2–3 years to become an RN
• BSN: 4 years (or 12–18 months if accelerated) for long-term growth and leadership

No matter your starting point, nursing offers flexibility, purpose, and professional rewards. And with healthcare needs growing globally, nurses will continue to play a vital role in improving lives—both at home and abroad.

Take the First Step

Apply for a Go Elective Nursing Internship to explore the nursing profession in East Africa, gain valuable clinical hours, and experience life-changing personal and professional growth.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Nursing Internships,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Jun 16, 2025