How long will it take to become an RN?

Question

I'm turning 18 and if I now start studying to become an RN, how long will it take to become a level 3 neonatal nurse? And what requirements do I have to have? I'm also going to have a Associates Degree in Therapeutic Massage.

Answer 1

For Neonatal you will need a BSN degree or MSN to start working as a neonatal nurse level 1.  Then you can work your way up with expierience to level 3.   So, since you are going for your Associate degree for therapeutic massage, you can use some of class credits and start building your prereqs to get in to a nursing program.   I am not sure what you had to take for AS for TM, but for nurisng you will need Anatomy, phisiology, microbioloy, chemistry, psychology, sociology, english composition, some math and I believe a foreign language.  This is all depending on the BSN program you are applying for.  Once you are in, it is an additional 3 years for your BSN.  So, you may have some of the prereqs already form you AS in TM, so it will take you 1 1/2 years to finish the RN prereqs, then applied to an RN program with an additional 3 years for BSN so about 4 1/2 years to get your RN and start working in neonatal.  Good luck and don't give up, the road is hard but so so worth it!