The 5 Steps to Become an RN

Nursing is a gratifying career that allows you to serve your community and profoundly impact your patients’ lives. Registered nurses (RNs) are highly compassionate professionals dedicated to lifelong learning and service to others. 

The steps to become an RN may initially feel daunting, especially if you have preexisting college credits. At Concordia University Irvine, we are committed to supporting our students in their education journey as they become the next generation of compassionate, holistic, and competent nursing professionals.

If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or a minimum of 65 college credits from an accredited institution, you can earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in as little as 15 months through our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program.

In this blog post, we will discuss how you can start taking the steps to become an RN.

Become a Nurse with an ADN or BSN

You can become an RN through a two-year associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a traditional four-year BSN program. While an ADN allows you to become a nurse faster than the traditional BSN route, earning a BSN has greater career benefits. 

BSN-educated nurses are in high demand because of the quality of education they receive. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, studies have indicated better patient outcomes in facilities with a higher proportion of BSN nurses.

This difference is so profound that many organizations have pivoted toward exclusively hiring nurses with a BSN for certain positions. Highly respected Magnet hospitals now require nurse managers and leaders to hold a minimum of a BSN, and the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force require active-duty RNs to have a BSN.

A BSN is also the minimum degree requirement for graduate nursing programs. To become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), such as a certified nurse midwife or nurse practitioner, you must first hold a BSN.

If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or preexisting college credits, enrolling in another four years of school may not be ideal. Fortunately, accelerated BSN programs, such as Concordia University Irvine’s ABSN program, make it possible to change careers and earn your BSN in less time than traditional BSN programs and, in some cases, ADN programs.

An accelerated BSN program offers the same quality of education as a traditional BSN. By building on your previous education, accelerated BSNs can expedite the timeline for graduation by focusing solely on nursing courses.

How to Become an RN

While programs vary by school, the pathway to become a nurse is straightforward. You must first complete a nursing degree and then pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to earn a nursing license.

Below is an in-depth exploration of the steps to become an RN.

1. Research Nursing Programs

Your nursing program is the foundation for launching your nursing career. While programs vary from school to school, most include nursing coursework, simulation labs, and clinical rotations. 

As you research nursing programs, there are several factors to consider:

• Accreditation and Board Approval: Is the program regionally accredited and approved by your state nursing board?
• Program Length: Does the timeline suit your educational background, circumstances, and career goals?
• Location: Will you have to relocate? Does the area offer healthcare opportunities?
• Admission Requirements: Are you eligible for enrollment?
• High-Tech Skills Labs: Skills labs are where you will practice core nursing skills. High-tech simulation technology will better prepare you for real-world health care settings.
• Clinical Rotations: Does the program offer clinical rotations in your preferred nursing specialty?
• NCLEX Pass Rates: A good indicator of a program’s quality is their NCLEX pass rates. Are students passing the licensing exam on the first try?
• Values and Philosophy: Does the program align with your values?

2. Apply to Nursing School

Once you have created a short list, the next step is contacting each program’s admissions team. At Concordia University Irvine, our admissions team is dedicated to helping you navigate the process.

Our admissions process is as follows:  

1. Contact an admissions counselor
2. Complete prerequisites and meet GPA and course requirements
3. Submit application
4. Participate in an admissions interview (if requested)

The first conversation with your admissions counselor will cover why you want to become an RN, your academic background, and your target start date. Be sure to have your transcripts on hand so you can accurately review your educational background to determine eligibility. Your admissions counselor will also help determine which course credits can be transferred to fulfill prerequisite requirements and develop a plan for meeting the others.

Many accelerated nursing programs, including Concordia University Irvine’s ABSN, require prospective students to complete science, biology, and other general education courses. This ensures all students enter the program ready to explore advanced science and nursing concepts.

After completing all admissions requirements, you are ready to submit your program application. Be sure to closely review the required supporting documents, as many schools require a personal essay. Your admissions counselor will guide you through the process and help you reach the finish line.

 

3. Earn Your Nursing Degree

Nursing school challenges students to meet the demands of a rigorous curriculum so they can provide competent patient care in their careers. While every nursing program is different, an accredited program instills in students the skills and knowledge to earn their nursing license and embark on their careers.

At the heart of Concordia Irvine University’s ABSN curriculum is the understanding that nursing is both an art and a science. Our curriculum is designed with three principles in mind:

• Caring: Nursing requires a philosophical and scientific approach to holistically treat those seeking care, prevent and manage disease, promote health, and provide health education.
• Compassionate: Nurses must be socially responsible and provide culturally sensitive patient care to diverse populations
• Competent: Our students are trained to be highly skilled clinical professionals, able to exercise their clinical judgment in various healthcare settings and scenarios.

Students enrolled in the ABSN program at Concordia University Irvine will participate in nursing coursework, simulation labs, and nursing clinicals. Coursework establishes a core nursing foundation, which students build on during simulation labs, where they practice nursing skills and exercise clinical judgment in simulated patient scenarios.

Lastly, students will participate in clinical rotations, applying what they have learned to real-world, direct patient care under the guidance of expert nursing faculty. This is where students can explore nursing specialties and build their professional network.  

Concordia also offers two learning modalities to our students: the hybrid program in Rancho Cucamonga and the campus-based program in Irvine. While both modalities include in-person simulation labs and 765 clinical hours, coursework is completed online in the hybrid program and in person in the campus-based programs.

Upon graduation, you will have earned your nursing degree and are ready for the next step: licensing.

 

4. Pass the NCLEX-RN to Become a Nurse

The NCLEX-RN is a nationally recognized licensing exam that assesses an applicant’s clinical judgment and nursing competency. The exam uses computerized adaptive testing, which determines the difficulty and total number of questions based on your previous answers.

The NCLEX-RN is a challenging exam that requires significant preparation. While your nursing program prepares you throughout your education, students must consistently study and prepare by reviewing practice questions and exams from the start of nursing school. After graduation, students should increase the intensity and frequency of study sessions as exam day nears.

Once you pass the NCLEX board exam, you can obtain your nursing license and register with your state board of nursing.

5. Apply for Nursing Jobs

Nurses work in various clinical settings, from hospitals and long-term care facilities to schools and private practice. The job outlook for RNs is strong. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, RN employment is projected to increase by 6% nationally from 2022-2032 and 11% in California from 2020-2030, significantly faster than the average for all occupations.

Additionally, RNs have high earning potential. As of May 2023, RNs earned a national median annual salary of $86,070, with the government and local, state, and private hospitals leading the highest-paying employers. RNs in California have even higher earning potential. California leads the nation in RN wages with an annual median salary of $137,690.

If you choose to become a nurse, there are many exciting positions to which you can apply. With dozens of specialties, nursing is an expansive and rewarding field full of opportunity.

Take the Steps to Become an RN with Concordia University Irvine

Becoming an RN opens a fulfilling career path with career advancement and opportunities. Whether you are a transfer student or a career changer, Concordia University Irvine’s ABSN program can help you take the steps to become an RN. Our talented faculty is committed to educating the next generation of healthcare leaders ready to provide holistic, culturally informed, team-based care. 

Contact an admissions counselor today to learn more about our ABSN program and how you can start your nursing career with Concordia University Irvine.