Yes, one can become an RN without a four-year degree, but with prerequisites and taking board examination–it’s closer to three years. Engineering degrees take four years, far short of the better part of a decade that you’re citing above. Furthermore, many RNs continue their education (and I’m not writing about continuing state-mandated hours) while working to complete their BSN and MSN.
(eta: the better part of that @namenotreserved had in the quote above, which I understand better to mean six or more years)
