How long does it take to get a traditional BSN?

jennylouwho · Apr 15, 2011

It depends upon how the college is set up. You usually can't double up on nursing courses, so if there are nursing courses for four years, it's pretty much four years unless that school allows doubling in areas. That said - there are some schools that are set up differently. Cleveland State University, for instance, you start as a Sophomore nursing student.

FLhusker · Apr 15, 2011

If you already have the pre-reqs done, most traditional BSN programs you can finish in 2 years.

UVA Grad Nursing · Apr 16, 2011

Curricula vary from school to school. In general, a BSN degree (as with any undergraduate degree) will have 120-130 total credits.

At my University, we admit applicants directly from high school for a 4-year nursing degree. Some schools have 1 year of general education/pre-reqs and then three years of nursing. A majority of BSN programs in the US are on what is called a 2+2 model --- two years of liberal arts and prereqs, and then 2 years of nothing but nursing classes.

KareBear0609 · Apr 16, 2011

It really depends on the school. If you have no pre reqs to complete, some where around 2-3 years. The school of my choice is 5 semesters, no summers... so 2.5 years to complete just for the core nursing classes.

xraytech · Apr 18, 2011

Do you already have a bachelors degree? The first two years of a traditional BSN is usually gen. ed. courses anyway. Most schools don't begin the nursing courses/clincials until the last two years. If you already have a bachelors, then it would probably take about 2 years to finish, and you could transfer in. Or, you could apply for an accelerated BSN (for people with a bachelors in another field) which takes even less time (around 15 months average). If you don't have a bachelors degree... then about 3-4 years?