The demand for skilled nurses is higher than ever. Despite several nurses quickly entering the field during the pandemic to address this demand, healthcare facilities are reevaluating what education is needed to provide high quality care. As a result, fast educational pathways in nursing have become critically important.
Whether you're a recent graduate or a registered nurse with an associate's degree aiming to advance your qualifications, here’s a closer look at how long it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing and the ways you can expedite the process.
Download our guide to discover which nursing degree is right for you.
How long does it take to get a bachelor’s degree in nursing?
The length of a bachelor’s in nursing program depends on several factors, but perhaps the most important is your educational background and what prerequisite courses you’ve completed.
“It really depends on what the student's background is prior to applying for the RN to BS program,” says Sharon Higgins, Interim Dean of Regis College’s Young School of Nursing. “For example, if they have their associate's degree, the duration of the program is going to take longer because they won’t have the prerequisite credits.”
Another example of how your timeline can be different from fellow nurses is whether or not you also have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Those students can complete the program in as little as 12 to 16 months.
However, with so many factors contributing to your educational timeline, here are a few ways you can expedite your bachelor’s degree in nursing.
How to Expedite Your Bachelor's Degree in Nursing
1. Maximize your transfer credits.
The more credits you can transfer from previous degrees, the faster you’ll be able to complete your bachelor’s degree in nursing. During the admissions or onboarding period of your program, work with academic advisors to evaluate your existing credits and maximize how many you can apply to your nursing degree.
At Regis, the admissions team thoroughly reviews each transcript to determine which credits students are qualified to transfer. Those with an associate's degree in nursing and an active RN license are given 45 credits toward Regis College’s RN to BS program.
“Some students will choose to take those prerequisites elsewhere in preparation for the nursing courses,” Higgins says. “So if they have the ability to do that—even during their associate's degree—that will have an impact on the length of their bachelor’s degree program.”
2. Plan your course schedule.
Before mapping out your courses, it’s crucial to meet with an advisor to calculate what your credit load per semester should be for an optimal schedule. This is particularly important if you’re considering how much time you can commit to the program.
If you’re interested in earning your degree as quickly as possible, enrolling in a bachelor’s degree program like the one at Regis College can offer you a higher credit allocation, while only taking one class at a time. This can be a lot of work, but will certainly pay off in the long run.
Another reason planning your course schedule is important to your graduation date is because of the timing of required courses. While most of the essential courses are offered every semester, there may be some that are only offered during certain times of the year. To ensure you don’t have to wait for course offerings, it’s important to find a nursing program with a curriculum that aligns with your availability.
3. Take advantage of summer sessions.
Taking courses all year round can also shorten the length of your bachelor’s degree. That means, in addition to the fall and spring semester you enroll in summer sessions. Not all institutions have a robust summer program for nurses, so if this is one way you intend to expedite your degree, make sure you do your research first.
Programs like Regis offer exemplary summer sessions, constantly helping their students complete their degree as soon as possible.
4. Choose a program that does not require clinical.
Some bachelor’s degree in nursing programs require a clinical component, which often adds more time to your degree completion. However, not all programs require this type of coursework—making it another way to expedite your nursing degree.
For example, Regis’ RN to BS program does not require a clinical component to earn your degree.
“We chose not to have a clinical component because working nurses are gaining their clinical experience in their work,” Higgins explains. “So we felt that a clinical component wasn’t necessary. The goal is to take the content that they learn within this program and utilize it in their current working environment.”
5. Seek academic support.
Academics can be difficult, especially in the health sciences. You may not feel you have the time to study, write a paper, or even read a chapter of your textbook if your job demands are too great.
However, your academic performance directly influences your ability to earn your degree quickly. If you fail a course and have to retake it, that time is added on to your degree timeline—stalling your progress.
Try building relationships with professors and take advantage of resources such as the library, writing center, tutoring center, and new student orientation if you’re struggling in the classroom. This ensures that when you do face difficulties, you have the support system to seek help.
Why Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
Despite the struggles and difficulties of earning a degree, many people continue to strive to complete it because of the benefits a bachelor’s degree in nursing presents.
Some advantages you can expect from earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing include:
- Job opportunities: Many health organizations, including magnet hospitals, require their RNs to have a BS in Nursing as a prerequisite. This degree level allows RNs to specialize in a medical area of their interest, such as pediatrics or maternity.
- Earning potential: RNs with a BS degree get paid more on average than their counterparts who do not. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, professionals with a bachelor’s degree earn approximately 42 percent more than those with an associate’s degree.
- Leadership positions: Earning a BS in Nursing can open doors to leadership and supervisory jobs, which also offer higher pay.
- Advanced education: If you’re hoping to advance your education even further, like earning an MS in Nursing, getting your bachelor’s degree gets you one step closer to that goal.
In addition to all these professional advantages, it’s important to note that earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing might soon be a requirement in the field, rather than supplemental education. In fact, as the number of registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree continues to increase year over year, hospitals are starting to rethink whether a bachelor’s degree should be required education.
It’s Never Too Late
A bachelor’s degree in nursing can accelerate your nursing career, but, like any advanced degree, you need to be prepared to invest time and money. To minimize that investment, consider an expedited RN to BS degree completion program—like the one at Regis College—that can help you reach your career goals with flexible, part-time options for working nurses.
“We have tailored the RN to BS program so students can complete it in a shorter amount of time while also maintaining work-life balance,” Higgins says. “As a working professional, they’ll be able to succeed in this program.”
To learn more about the program benefits, contact the admissions team for information about the curriculum, cost, and prerequisites.
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