Wondering how to become a nurse? You must apply to a nursing program, take courses, complete labs, and work through clinical rotations to earn your nursing degree. Then, take the NCLEX exam to obtain your nursing license. An ABSN program accelerates the process, allowing you to start your career earlier.
Many people want to switch careers to nursing because of the competitive salary, opportunities for advancement, and their desire to help others. They might hesitate at the thought of committing to four years of school, however. You should know that it’s possible to fast-track your degree if you explore how to become a nurse with an accelerated bachelor’s degree program.
The primary advantage of Utica University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is that it allows you to use your non-nursing bachelor’s degree or prior college credits, so you can earn your nursing degree more quickly. Plus, the hybrid curriculum at Utica provides the support and flexibility you need to meet the challenges of nursing school head-on.
Is nursing a good career? Here’s some food for thought.
Before deciding to begin the process of how to become an RN, take a closer look at what nurses do and what your career options are. Then, learn the five steps you’ll need to navigate to make your career transition happen.
What Does a Registered Nurse Do?
A registered nurse’s duties will often depend on their chosen nursing specialty. Pediatric nurses, for example, may spend more time administering vaccinations and providing parent caregiver education. In contrast, medical-surgical nurses often set up IV lines, administer pain control and other medicines, and provide wound care to patients recovering from surgery.
Some common tasks across many nursing specialties include:
- Collecting and recording vitals
- Equipment set-up and operation
- Medication and other treatment administration
- Patient assessments
- Patient education
What Are the Different Types of Nurses?
There are different levels of nursing. For example, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) provide basic nursing care, such as monitoring vital signs and assisting with the activities of daily living (ADLs). Registered nurses are higher up on the ladder, with a broader scope of practice authority than LPNs. Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) serve as nurse leaders, mentors, and change-makers at the highest level.
RNs can choose from a broad range of nursing specialties. They include:
- Behavioral health nursing
- Critical care nursing
- Dialysis nursing
- Labor and delivery
- Trauma nursing
There are many career possibilities to consider as you dive into how to become a nurse.
How to Become a Registered Nurse
How long does it take to become an RN? A traditional B.S. in Nursing program typically takes four years to complete. In contrast, Utica’s ABSN program can take as few as 16 months to complete, following any outstanding degree requirement courses. Then, you’ll take the licensing exam within months of graduation. Upon passing it, you can get an RN license.
The first step is to find the right nursing program.
1. Find the Right Nursing Program for You
For many students, Utica’s ABSN program is the right choice for their nursing transition. Most notably, it offers the opportunity to graduate in as few as 16 months. Other common reasons why students choose our ABSN program include:
- Academic Success Coaches
- Dedicated admission representatives
- Hybrid curriculum, with flexible online coursework
- No waitlist
- Supportive nursing instructors
- Two ABSN sites in Utica and Albany, New York
2. Meet All Admission Requirements
Utica’s ABSN program requires a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 65 college credits from an accredited school. Applicants should have a minimum GPA of 2.8. No prior nursing experience is required.
Take a closer look at the nursing school GPA requirements.
You must also complete several degree requirement courses, unless your prior college education fulfills them. Your admission representative will determine which courses you may need to take prior to submitting your application. With Utica’s PREP program, you can complete degree requirement courses online in just weeks.
3. Apply to the ABSN Program
Once you meet all admission requirements, it is time to submit your application. At Utica, we offer three start dates per year: January, May, and August. Plus, you won’t have to worry about being placed on a waitlist.
You’ll also need to decide which program site to attend. Our site in Albany accommodates ABSN students, while the site on our main campus in Utica offers the ABSN and Advanced Standing B.S. in Nursing program.
4. Successfully Complete the Program
Once accepted into nursing school, it’s time to focus on your studies. Our ABSN program features three learning components: online coursework, in-person skills and simulations labs, and clinical rotations.
Online Nursing Coursework
This portion of the program will teach the knowledge you will later apply in your skills and simulations labs, clinical rotations, and, ultimately, your nursing career. Utica’s e-Learning platform allows students to complete nursing theory courses anytime, anywhere.
While you must adhere to assignment deadlines and attend on-site labs, online coursework offers flexibility for busy adults. Students still have the support of their instructors and classmates through chat rooms, email, and other forms of communication.
Skills and Simulations Labs
During your in-person skills and simulation labs, you will practice those nursing theory concepts in a risk-free, yet life-like setting. Students at Utica interact with real hospital equipment and high-tech medical manikins to practice specific nursing skills and run through realistic simulations to prepare for treating real patients. Students will also learn how to effectively collaborate and work as a team during these labs.
Clinical Rotations
The clinical rotation portion of the program allows students to see what they learned in their coursework and practiced in skills labs play out in real life. Clinical rotations, while being a fantastic learning opportunity, also provide a chance for you to network with healthcare professionals and potentially even line up a job for after graduation.
Utica’s ABSN students work at clinical rotations at various healthcare facilities throughout Central New York. Some of the nursing specialties our students are introduced to include:
- Acute care
- Adult health
- Community health
- Mental health
- Pediatrics
5. Take the NCLEX-RN Exam
After graduating with a B.S. in Nursing, you’ll be ready to take the NCLEX-RN. This exam tests candidates on a wide range of nursing knowledge, ensuring that those who pass are qualified to practice on real patients. In addition to teaching our students the material they need to know for the test, we offer Academic Success Coaches to provide individualized support needed to prepare for the exam.
After passing the NCLEX, you can apply for your state-issued RN license and begin looking for nursing jobs.
Explore 10 alternative nursing careers that will take you outside the hospital.
Ready to Get Your Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing?
When you’re ready to explore how to become an RN, take the first step at Utica University. Our ABSN program is designed specifically to facilitate career transitions quickly, while providing a high-quality nursing education that prepares future RNs to tackle complex challenges in the field. With no waitlist, three start dates per year, and the opportunity to graduate in as few as 16 months, Utica puts your nursing career within reach.
Contact an admission representative today and start earning your B.S. in Nursing.
