The world doesn’t have enough nurses. One of the reasons might be that it takes a long time to make them. For the last fifteen years or so, colleges have been working hard to improve recruitment efforts.
Not just to find more nursing students, but to identify the best possible candidates. Who will not only do this job but stick with it for a long time?
Even the best recruitment campaign will take a minimum of four years to bear results. At least through traditional nursing pathways. Does becoming a nurse need to take so long?
In this article, we take a look at ways that nursing students can get the job a little quicker.
The Standard Path
First, let’s examine the route most people take when becoming a nurse. The majority of the time, people begin their journey at around the age of eighteen, enrolling in a traditional four-year program. Through a standard BSN program, it is possible to complete the coursework quicker, but not much quicker.
For example, if you go in having completed some credits in high school and are willing to take summer courses, you might finish in three years instead of four.
Either way, the path to employment is not lightning-fast.
As you go through the program you will need to complete clinical rotations. Basically, you’ll work directly with patients in the hospital setting.
Upon graduation, you will need to pass the NCLEX before you can begin working as a nurse. Generally, this will require you to wait forty-five days. Most people do pass the NCLEX on their first try, but it is important to take the test seriously.
After all that, you will finally be able to start working as a nurse. Totaled, you’ll spend at least four years getting there. In many parts of the country, undergraduate degree completion times is actually ticking steadily upward. It’s not at all unusual for people pursuing their BSN to spend 5-6 years at it.
Associates Degree
You also have the option to get an ASN. Associate degrees take two years to complete. While you can get them at any university, most people choose to go to community college to get their ASN.
Not only are community colleges more flexible learning environments—often featuring curricula designed to accommodate the schedules of students who also work—but it is infinitely more affordable.
You could save tens of thousands of dollars at a community college compared to what you would spend getting an undergraduate degree.
Quicker and cheaper? Why isn’t everyone doing this? The main reason is that you can’t necessarily do very much with only an ASN. For one thing, most hospitals have historically put a big priority on seeking BSNs.
Granted, in the current hiring landscape there are probably more openings available for ASNs. You’ll still find many hospitals that won’t even consider your application if you don’t have your bachelor’s degree.
If you can find a job at a hospital that will hire you, you’ll still have reduced responsibilities.
Many people use their ASN as a way to get their foot in the door. Start working after only two years. Go to night school to earn your BSN. Not only will this allow you to start earning money faster, but you may get employer-assisted tuition.
Accelerated Degrees
Accelerated programs are a great way to complete your degree requirements a little bit quicker. An ABSN will often allow you to become certified as a nurse in as little as 18 months.
The catch is that these programs are generally only possible for people who already have a college degree. Basically, your original degree satisfies all of the general requirements, allowing you to focus only on the nursing components of the coursework.
The curriculum will be specially designed with a priority on speed. This is ideal for people who want to pivot into nursing as a second career.
The problem is that it will take up pretty much all of your energy. It's hard to pursue an ABSN while working a different job. Accelerated programs are rigorous, and because they pack an entire nursing education into a shorter time frame, they can be mentally and physically demanding.
It's not uncommon for students to juggle intense coursework, clinical hours, and personal commitments all at once, making it challenging to maintain a work-life balance.
However, if you're committed and have the ability to dedicate yourself full-time, an ABSN can be a fantastic option for rapidly transitioning into the nursing profession. The key is preparation: knowing that you'll be immersed in this program for the duration and being ready to invest the time and energy needed to succeed.
Note: there are similar opportunities available for other professions that require specialized certifications. Educators, social workers, and pharmacists all have accelerated pathways for people already holding a degree.
Beyond Your Bachelor's
There are, of course, educational opportunities beyond just getting your BSN. If you want to work as an advanced practice nurse—like an NP—you will need to get your master's degree. Though this usually takes 2-4 years, there are ways to speed things up a bit.
The best way is to bundle your graduate degree and undergraduate studies into one package. Not every school will let you do this. Even those that do will probably only allow top-performing students to pursue the option. Still, it's a good way to knock a year or two off the completion timeline.
Remember that the quickest possible path to completion simply isn't going to be best for everyone. While it's nice to get your degree quickly, you want to make sure that you are getting the most out of your education. Doing things right is more important than doing them quickly.
