Learn how to become a nurse with these steps: choose a nursing program, talk with an admissions advisor, finish prerequisites, take the entrance exam, apply to nursing school, graduate with a BSN, pass the NCLEX, and become licensed. An ABSN program can take as few as 16 months to complete.
Many nurses followed the traditional route to their nursing career by enrolling in a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program after high school; however, this isn’t the only way to become a nurse. Aspiring nurses with college credits and work experience in non-nursing fields can follow nontraditional routes to their careers. For example, you could learn how to become a nurse with an accelerated BSN program for career switchers.
If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 college credits, you might qualify for Averett University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program in Norfolk, Virginia, where you can earn a BSN in as few as 16 months. Via our hybrid accelerated nursing program, you can fast-track your journey to nursing and start your career sooner.
Before diving into the process of how to become a registered nurse (RN), you’ll want to make sure you find a nursing program that suits your needs. Talk to an admissions advisor before starting the admission requirements. Then, earn your nursing degree and pass the licensure exam, the NCLEX-RN.
1. Choose a Nursing Program That’s Right for You
When considering how to become a nurse, take time to research your nursing school options. First, consider your background and eligibility to help you find the right program. For example, Averett’s hybrid ABSN program’s admission requirements include a prior bachelor’s degree or at least 60 college credits, with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.8.
Here are a few other considerations when looking at nursing programs:
- Accreditation and state approval: Before looking at a program further, ensure it is accredited and approved by the state board of nursing.
- Length of program: Generally, ABSN programs span between 16 and 20 months.
- Number of start dates: If the program offers more than one start date each year, you’ll likely be able to start school sooner. Averett offers three start dates.
- Online learning: Choose a program that features online coursework and allows for flexible, independent studying.
- Faculty support: Choose a program where you’re more than just a number and the faculty are easily accessible for questions. At Averett, you’ll enjoy our small class sizes.
What are the benefits of online learning in nursing school?
2. Talk to an Admissions Advisor
Once you’ve researched nursing program options, it’s time to contact an admissions advisor. Your Averett admissions advisor will provide more information about the program and determine if you’re eligible to apply. Your advisor will also want to learn why you want to become a nurse. Forming a connection with your advisor will give you an ally who will help you navigate the admissions process.
3. Finish Any Remaining Prerequisites
Your admissions advisor will help you devise a plan to finish any remaining prerequisites in time for your target nursing school start date. Completing prerequisite courses before you begin the nursing curriculum is important preparation because it ensures students start with a common knowledge base. Prerequisite courses include anatomy, microbiology, and more.
What are the prerequisites for accelerated nursing school at Averett?
4. Take the Entrance Exam
Many accelerated nursing schools require applicants to pass an entrance exam. Averett requires the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam. You must achieve a score of at least 65% within a year of applying to the program.
5. Apply to Nursing School
While in your last semester of prerequisite classes, you can start the ABSN application process. Applying consists of completing an online application and providing supplemental materials.
6. Graduate With a BSN
After you're accepted into nursing school, it’s time to work hard and earn your degree. Averett’s ABSN program consists of a 16-month curriculum that uses both online and in-person methods.
Online Coursework
In the online courses, you’ll learn about important nursing concepts. These include health assessments, global health, clinical management of disease, and more. Online coursework gives you the freedom to complete assignments when and where it’s most convenient for you; however, you must still meet deadlines and take in-person proctored exams.
Nursing Labs
Averett ABSN students also have in-person skills and simulation labs, which teach the skills and techniques you’ll need as a nurse. During skills labs, you’ll practice essential nursing skills, such as performing head-to-toe assessments and providing wound care. You can visit the labs as much as you want outside of required hours to refine your skills and gain confidence.
During simulation labs, you’ll work in small groups to develop appropriate nursing responses to various patient care scenarios. You and your group members will be required to assess a medical manikin, which is a replica of a real patient that can simulate a range of conditions and physiological responses. You’ll practice treating everything from allergic reactions to bleeding.
Learn 10 pieces of advice to help you succeed in nursing school.
Clinical Rotations
The third component of nursing school is clinical rotations. You’ll be placed at nearby healthcare facilities, where you’ll work shifts alongside RNs and provide patient care under the watchful eye of your nursing instructor and preceptor. Our nursing students work through a variety of nursing specialties to gain an inside look at career possibilities. These include critical care, mental health, community health, and adult health.
7. Take the NCLEX-RN and Get Licensed
Next, choose the location where you want to work and apply for a nursing license in that state. The state Board of Nursing (BON) will then give you approval to take the NCLEX, the entrance exam for professional nursing.
Once you pass the NCLEX, assuming you’ve met all other requirements for licensing in your state, you should be able to receive your RN license.
8. Start Your First Nursing Job
Now that you’ve earned a BSN, passed the NCLEX, and are licensed as an RN, you can start working as a professional nurse. Because you have a bachelor’s degree, you are equipped for nursing roles in a variety of places, including hospitals, clinics, and non-clinical settings.
RNs can choose from a wide range of nursing specialties. These include:
- Acute care
- Behavioral health
- Critical care
- Dermatology
- Medical-surgical
- Oncology
- Pediatrics
How Do You Become a Nurse? Common Questions to Consider
Before you start working toward becoming a nurse, you’ll want to answer all your questions. Some of the most common ones about the nursing career include:
How Long Does It Take to Officially Become a Nurse?
The time required varies depending on your starting point and your choices. If you lack prior college education, you’ll need to enroll in a traditional four-year BSN program. Then, it may take at least a couple of months to take the NCLEX licensure exam.
If you qualify for Averett’s ABSN program, you may still need a few months to complete any needed prerequisites. Then, you can graduate with a BSN in as few as 16 months and take the NCLEX soon after.
Which Soft Skills Are Important for Becoming a Nurse?
Nurses can benefit from having strong soft skills and personal characteristics such as:
- Adaptability
- Attention to detail
- Communication skills
- Emotional resilience
- Empathy and compassion
- Ethics and professionalism
- Interpersonal skills
What Degree Do Nurses Need?
It’s possible to become a nurse with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which typically takes two years to complete, but employers generally prefer to hire nurses with a BSN. This is because BSN-prepared nurses are associated with better patient outcomes compared to ADN-prepared nurses, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). In addition, a BSN prepares you to pursue graduate-level nursing education and career advancement.
Discover How to Become an RN at Averett
Averett’s 16-month ABSN program makes the transition to nursing smoother, offering three start dates each year and no waitlist. We’re dedicated to supporting your success by providing Academic Success Coaches and facilitating small class sizes, so you can benefit from personalized attention.
Contact an admissions advisor to learn how Averett’s ABSN program can help you take the first steps toward becoming a registered nurse.