If you’d like to know how to become an RN fast, start by researching the nursing profession to ensure it’s right for you. Then, choose a nursing program and complete the admissions requirements, such as prerequisite courses. After applying, you’ll complete your degree and pass the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.
If you’re considering a career change to nursing, you may wonder how to become an RN fast. The fastest RN programs shorten the time needed to earn a nursing degree and enter the workforce. Although an accelerated pathway may not be the easiest way to become an RN, it provides a high-quality nursing education that prepares you to care for patients.
To learn how to become an RN quickly, consider accelerated programs. With the Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program at Averett University, you can earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in as few as 16 months.
Explore how to become a nurse fast by reviewing the process from applying to nursing school through earning your degree. Learn what to expect from an accelerated program and a nursing career.
What Is the Quickest Way to Become an RN?
There are several pathways to a nursing career, including traditional and accelerated BSN programs. A traditional BSN program typically takes four years to complete, while an accelerated program can take much less time. Averett’s ABSN program can be completed in as few as 16 months after students finish required prerequisites.
1. Research the Nursing Profession
Before exploring how to become a registered nurse fast, determine whether the career is right for you. Talk with nurses to learn about their experiences or volunteer or work as a nursing assistant or patient care aide to experience clinical environments.
Nursing can be physically and mentally demanding, as nurses carry significant responsibility; however, nursing is also highly rewarding. The career allows you to make a difference in your patients’ lives and also offers diverse work settings and specialties.
Consider whether you are compassionate, patient, a strong communicator and able to maintain the emotional and physical stamina the work requires. If so, nursing may be a good fit
Benefits of Becoming a Nurse
In addition to personal fulfillment, nursing offers high earning potential and stability. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for RNs was $97,550 in May 2025.
The BLS also projects registered nurse employment to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035. This is due to an aging population, rising rates of chronic conditions and nurse retirements contributing to a nationwide shortage of registered nurses.
The career also offers many opportunities for advancement. Nurses can pursue leadership roles, such as becoming a charge nurse, or earn a graduate degree to become an advanced practice registered nurse. Nurses can also move away from bedside patient care and pursue roles in nursing informatics or telehealth.
Learn more about the prerequisites for accelerated nursing school.
2. Select the Right Nursing Program
Once you decide to pursue a nursing degree, the next step in learning how to become an RN fast is to choose the right program. Consider the following as you research programs:
Accelerated BSN Programs
Accelerated BSN programs are one of the fastest ways to earn a nursing degree. Through an ABSN, students can graduate in under two years by applying their previously earned college credits toward a nursing degree. These programs are designed for career changes or transfer students looking to transition into nursing.
If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 college credits, you can earn a BSN in as few as 16 months in Averett’s ABSN program.
Program Accreditation and State Approval
Accreditation indicates that a program has met established standards for quality and integrity. Two organizations that accredit nursing programs in the U.S. are the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The program you choose should also be approved by the appropriate state board of nursing (BON).
The ABSN program at Averett University is accredited by the CCNE and approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing.
3. Complete the Admissions Requirements
As you plan how to become an RN quickly, review the admissions requirements and prerequisites with an admissions advisor. Your advisor can help you create a personalized application plan.
Requirements vary across programs, but there are often similarities. As an example, the admissions requirements for Averett’s ABSN include:
- A non-nursing bachelor’s degree OR at least 60 non-nursing credits from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative 2.8 GPA
- Completion of all prerequisites
- A score of at least 65% on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
- A grade of C or better on all math and science courses
- No prior nursing program dismissals
- A certified criminal background check
4. Apply to Nursing School
After ensuring you meet the requirements, you will need to progress through the application steps. If applying to Averett’s ABSN program, you can submit your nursing school application during your final semester of prerequisites. Your admissions advisor will guide you through this process and help you remain on track.
5. Complete Your Nursing Degree
If you want to become a nurse quickly, expect the fastest RN program to be intensive. You’ll need to manage a full schedule of classes, labs, clinicals, assignments and study sessions.
At Averett, the ABSN instructors provide personalized guidance and mentorship, and each nursing student can work one-on-one with an Academic Success Coach throughout the program. While you will be challenged in nursing school, you will be supported throughout your education.
What to Expect From a Fast Nursing Program
Nursing programs combine didactic coursework with hands-on learning. Averett’s blended curriculum includes online coursework, hands-on skills and simulation labs and in-person clinical placements. This combination provides the knowledge and practical skills you need to sit for the NCLEX-RN and begin your nursing career.
Wondering what online learning is like in nursing school? Here are some benefits of online classes.
6. Pass the NCLEX-RN and Become Licensed
After graduating from nursing school, you must pass the NCLEX-RN licensure exam to become a licensed registered nurse. The exam evaluates your knowledge of nursing topics and your ability to apply critical thinking to clinical decisions. For example, you may encounter a question that presents a clinical scenario and requires you to choose the most appropriate nursing intervention.
Averett’s ABSN program begins preparing you for the NCLEX-RN early in the curriculum, but you should plan additional study time before your test date. Students generally study full-time for one or two months after graduation before taking the exam.
After passing the NCLEX-RN and meeting any other requirements from your state BON, you’ll be eligible for an RN license and can begin working as a nurse.
7. Start Your First Nursing Job
After completing your BSN and receiving your RN license, you can begin your career. RNs work in specialties such as pediatrics, oncology, emergency care, women’s health and medical-surgical nursing. Choose a specialty that aligns with your interests and strengths.
After gaining clinical experience, consider earning a specialty certification or pursuing a leadership role.
Is There an Easy Way to Become an RN?
Becoming an RN requires commitment, regardless of the pathway. An accelerated pathway is especially intensive, and students can expect a commitment level similar to that of a full-time job.
Nursing is also a highly rewarding career, offering high earning potential and opportunities for advancement. While the path to becoming a career is not easy, it’s possible to achieve through support and commitment.
Become an RN Fast With Averett University’s ABSN Program
With Averett University’s ABSN program, you can become a nurse quickly while participating in a values-based curriculum. Dedicated instructors, Academic Success Coaches and a close-knit nursing cohort provide support throughout the program.
Request info today to connect with an admissions advisor and take the first step toward becoming a nurse fast.