Becoming an NP while already an RN?

How many years would It take to go from an LNA to a RN?

• I am becoming a LNA in high school. After high school, I want to go on to be an RN. After I become a RN I want to be a NP. Do I have to go the normal 4 years to become a RN or is it not as long because I am already a LNA? Thanks!

• Answer:

  No, I don't think it will take you 4 years to earn your RN. Check with your local community college. Most community colleges offer a 2 year RN program. I am not sure if your LNA will count for anything there, but it never hurts to check it out. I would advise you to call your local community college and make an appointment to sit down with an academic advisor. They can tell you what classes you must take and how many semesters it will take you to complete your associates degree in nursing. After you finish your RN certification you can then work a few years if you would like to save up some money so you don't have to take out big loans when you go back to school to finish your bachelors degree in nursing. Here is a hint, my best friend's mother is a head nurse on a cardiac floor. She says that sometimes a hospital will pay a big chunk of a nurse's tuition if they decide to go back to school and further their education. Most of the classes you have already taken at the community college will transfer to a 4 year college/university so that will cut off a big chunk of time that you will have to be in school once you start your bachelors degree. Then your next step will be to earn your masters degree in nursing which is required for NPs. That will take you another 2 to 3 years and will be very expensive. I hope this helps good luck with school! I am sure you will do very well! We need more good nurses!