How long does it take to become a LVN or an RN?
Asked by julie
I'm interested in becoming either LVN or RN. I dont know if its too late for me since i am getting old. I am 28 and I work full time. Is it possible for me to go back to school and study to become a nurse if i work ful time?

Best Answer:
I am in school right now for my BSN (RN). There are "old" students in our class. One of my lab partners is in her 40's so you being 28 is no where near old. Multiple students in my class have children and are older than you. The hard part is the working thing. I can honestly say with the amount of work I'm having to put in to school right now there is no way I could work full time. Part time would even be difficult at this point. I am having to take out a lot of student loans but looking at it as an investment. Yes, I have to take out loans to live on right now but in another year I will be making enough money to pay those loans back easily AND I'll have a career where I can make a difference. Not many jobs can say they actually hands on make a difference everyday in someone's life. Oops! Your original question: how long does it take? A BSN to become an RN is a 4 year degree. The first two years are pre-requisite classes (all of your science, english, math, etc) and the last two years are strictly nursing courses and clinical work. Part time and maybe even full time work is feasable during your pre-reqs but very difficult during the second half of schooling.

It took me a year to get my practical nursing degree. I had classes Monday-Thursday 8am-4pm.
Answered by Heart

To become a RN around where I live its a 2 year program. First year is classroom and second is clinicals (hands on kind of stuff). People I know in the program do work full time and go to school, just have to make your schedule work.
Answered by ken_raa

First of all you are too NOT old, in school I had 50 year olds taking nursing courses with me. To become an RN or LVN you must take pre-req classes (takes about 1 year to complete), for RNs you must take extra courses to get your degree (ADN or BSN) this usually takes two years, then another two years of strictly nursing courses for an ADN, three years of strictly nursing courses for a BSN (4-5 years in total for an RN degree, 2.5 years for LVN) Of course this is basing off of California. Check with career counselors at the school to really understand how long it will take based on your state. And yes you can work full time, but I wouldn't recommend it, nursing school is HARD, but worth it.
Answered by jemsrn