How Long Is Nursing School?

If you’re thinking about becoming a nurse, you might have wondered, “How long is nursing school?” The good news is that you might be closer to a career in nursing than you think! Whether you’re interested in our fast and flexible LPN/LVN program or fast-tracking your career with one of our proven accelerated nursing programs, we can help you find a track that works for your goals and timeline. 

Here’s how it breaks down. 

Pre-licensure refers to nursing education programs you can take before earning your RN or LPN license. Galen’s pre-licensure program options vary by campus, so be sure to check out which campus is closest to you to see if the program you are interested in is available.

Average time to earn your degree: one year full-time, or 21 months part-time. 

This is our fastest program, allowing you to start building work experience in as little as one year. Many nursing students begin with this program so they can sit for the NCLEX-PN to obtain an LPN or LVN license. This gives them the opportunity to get to work as soon as possible, with the flexibility to advance their career later. LPNs/LVNs are vital members of a patient care team, often in charge of lifting and transport, taking vital signs, giving injections, and many other tasks that support the patient care team. 

Average time to earn your ADN Bridge program degree: 18 months.  

The LPN/LVN to ADN Bridge program is designed for students who are already licensed practical/vocational nurses and want to become a fully licensed RN. This bridge program offers flexibility for working students who hold a practical nursing license. You can gain valuable experience as an LPN/LVN and then return for your ADN, allowing you to sit for the NCLEX-RN when you’re ready. 

Average time to earn your ADN degree: 2 years.  

ADN programs are the fastest way to earn an Associate Degree in Nursing without any prior experience. This popular option is an excellent choice for people who want to hit the ground running. Galen has high NCLEX^® pass rates for first-time test takers, and this program can give you the experience you need to pass the NCLEX-RN^® to become an RN. This degree may allow you to work in a wide range of facilities: hospitals, doctors’ offices, birth centers, clinics, and more. As an RN, you’ll work alongside doctors and other medical professionals and may perform patient health assessments, administer IVs, and coordinate care plans. This role works directly with patients, and a Galen-educated nurse will provide compassionate care, expertise, and support to the entire patient care team. 

Average time to earn your BSN degree: 3 years.  

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing gives you the education to tackle many nursing challenges, and nurses with BSN degrees are widely sought after to fill roles in hospitals and specialty clinics. You may also find a telehealth role, allowing you to work from home as you help patients. Nurses with BSNs often work closely with doctors as a core part of their team to prepare patients for treatments, administer medications, and provide support.    

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing gives you the education to tackle many nursing challenge,s and nurses with BSN degrees are widely sought after to fill roles in hospitals and specialty clinics. You may also find a telehealth role, allowing you to work from home as you help patients. Nurses with BSNs often work closely with doctors as a core part of their team to prepare patients for treatments, administer medications, and provide support.    

Post-licensure refers to nursing education programs you can take after earning your RN license. Galen’s post-licensure programs are all online, so you can continue your nursing career while you further your education.  

Average time to earn your Online Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree: 12-16 months. 

This program is designed for students who already hold an RN license and wish to advance their career with a BSN. This option is great for working RN’s who are seeking upward career mobility. Depending on prior qualifications and education, you could earn your BSN in as little as one year. If you opt for a more flexible track, you can complete your courses in 16 months.  

Average time to earn your degree: 2-3 years 

If you’re an RN with a Bachelor’s degree and want to take on more leadership and responsibility, the MS degree could be an excellent option. If you attend without interruption, you can complete the program in 24 months. We offer a Nursing & Healthcare Leadership program for those who want to take a leadership role, and a Nurse Educator program for those who want to teach the next generation of healthcare workers.  

Average time to earn your degree: 2 years. 

The DNP degree is a terminal degree, meaning the highest level of practice-based nursing education you can get. It’s designed for working RNs who already have a Master’s degree. Unlike a PhD, the DNP is a hands-on degree focusing on clinical practice. The DNP is designed for dedicated nurses seeking to advance their practices, offering two specialized tracks: the Executive Leadership Program for those interested in higher-level administrative roles, and the Academic Leadership Program for those interested in higher-level roles in nursing education. 

Galen takes a hands-on approach to learning, meaning many of our classes include clinic hours. Once a certain number of A&S hours have been hit, you may be working in various healthcare settings under close supervision, from learning the basics (if you’re just getting started) to perfecting your specialties (if you’re well into your career).  

Most clinical rotations are several days a week throughout the semester and can range from a 4-hour shift to a 12-hour shift. On average, students have from 500 to 1,000 clinical hours during their education.

While you’re not doing clinical hours, you’ll be in the classroom learning the theory behind the practice. Our award-winning faculty will take you through courses designed by nurses, for nurses, to build your confidence and practical skills.  

Galen takes a hands-on approach to learning, meaning many of our classes include clinic hours. The number of hours you spend in the clinic will depend on your program and location. You can contact a Galen advisor to learn more about your specific program and the estimated clinical hours vs. academic hours you’ll be expected to complete. 

Nursing needs you, and we want to help turn your dreams into a career. Whether you’re just thinking about getting into nursing or you’re already an RN looking to gain new skills and responsibilities, Galen can help make that happen. We can discuss options for completing a degree quickly or a more flexible timeline for students with outside commitments. Whatever you need, we’re here to support you.