How Do I Become a Nurse?

Becoming a nurse can be challenging, but if a nursing career is your passion, the journey can be extremely rewarding. Let’s follow the path to how you can become a registered nurse (RN) and embark on an impactful career.

What Do RNs Do?

First, let’s look at the duties of a registered nurse (RN). The American Nurses Association (ANA) offers this overview:¹

“In a field as varied as nursing, there is no typical answer,” ANA explains on its website. “Responsibilities can range from making acute treatment decisions to providing inoculations in schools. The key unifying characteristic in every role is the skill and drive that it takes to be a nurse.”¹

The ANA offers this list of key responsibilities:¹

• Performing physical exams and health histories before making critical decisions
• Providing health promotion, counseling and education
• Administering medications and other personalized interventions
• Coordinating care in collaboration with a wide array of healthcare professionals

“Through long-term monitoring of patients’ behavior and knowledge-based expertise, nurses are best placed to take an all-encompassing view of a patient’s well-being,” the ANA says.¹

Nurses’ Non-Clinical Duties

Many of us think of nurses working at the bedside, but RNs also serve in a variety of administrative roles. Some of these include:

• Management, including supervising other RNs, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs)
• Budgeting
• Policy development
• Quality assurance

Types of Registered Nurses

There are multiple career paths to pursue as an RN. And as you advance your nursing education, you’ll find even more opportunities. RNs work in these and other areas:

• Emergency department
• Labor and delivery
• Hospice and palliative care
• Public health
• Occupational health
• Oncology
• Pediatrics
• Travel
• Education
• Home health
• Intensive care
• Schools
• Operating room
•  
• Informatics

How to Become a Nurse: What You Should Know

Does nursing sound like the right career choice? If so, let’s explore how you can achieve your goal. Let’s look at the various paths to determine your best route to becoming an RN:

Diploma in Nursing

Hospital-based nursing schools award nursing diplomas. Though once widespread, there are few locations supporting this type of program today. Coursework typically centers on hands-on experiences in medical facilities and does not involve the broader general education classes found in traditional colleges. Full-time students can complete a diploma program in an average of three years.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Earning your ADN is a relatively quick way to put yourself in line for taking the NCLEX-RN and becoming a nurse. Most programs can run two to three years, depending on how many courses you take in a semester. These programs usually offer general education coursework, which gives graduates a knowledge base to build on if they choose to earn a bachelor’s in nursing.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

A BSN is a three- or four-year degree earned at an accredited college or university. These programs require additional general education courses that help prepare nurses to engage in the full scope of professional nursing practice across all healthcare settings. Like both the diploma and ADN programs, the BSN program is entry-level and features clinical learning experiences. Earning your BSN can give you the foundation to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree in a specialty of your choice such as nurse practitioner or a non-clinical track like nurse educator or nurse executive.

What You’ll Need to Apply to Nursing School

When applying to a nursing program, you may need some or all of the following:

• High school diploma (or GED)
• Minimum GPA set by the nursing school or program
• Scores from recognized standardized tests such as the SAT, ACT, and HESI Admission Assessment (A2)
• Completed application
• Essay
• Background check and drug test
• Interview

Nursing school requirements vary. Some programs may require other information or materials not listed here. Be sure to check with the institution of your choice before applying. After submitting the necessary materials, a committee will review your qualifications. Many schools have a limited number of seats available and may not be able to take all qualified applicants.

Before enrolling in any nursing program, make sure you understand what nursing certifications or RN licenses your state requires.

After Earning Your Nursing Degree

Once you’ve completed a nursing program, you’ll need to take the NCLEX-RN to receive your RN license. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) developed and administers the exam. It’s designed to test the knowledge, skills and abilities needed for safe and effective practice.

The NCLEX-RN covers four categories surrounding client needs. Here is the structure:²

1. Safe and Effective Care Environment

• Management of Care
• Safety and Infection Control

2. Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. Psychosocial Integrity
4. Physiological Integrity

• Basic Care and Comfort
• Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
• Reduction of Risk Potential
• Physiological Adaptation

The NCLEX-RN test is administered by computerized adaptive testing (CAT), which allows each candidate’s test to be uniquely created as the exam itself proceeds. The exam includes a minimum of 75 and a maximum of 145 questions during a five-hour period. Question formats include multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank and ordered response. Questions also may involve multimedia such as charts, tables, graphics, sound and video.³

“The test begins with easier questions that increase in difficulty as you answer them correctly. If you get a question wrong, they get easier and then increase in complexity again. When you consistently answer questions at a specific baseline, you pass. If you don’t, you fail the exam,” the ANA explains.³

How soon will you get your results? NCLEX-RN results are usually available approximately six weeks later, although the ANA says some states can deliver results in 48 hours.³

In 2023, 79.16% of people taking the test for the first time passed; of repeat test-takers, 47.19% passed.⁴ Nursing experts say you shouldn’t be discouraged if you don’t pass on your first attempt. Check with your state board of nursing to learn its policies for retaking the exam.

“Since starting nursing school, you’ve been preparing for the exam and have worked hard to get here. Don’t rush through your preparation,” the ANA advises. “Go into the NCLEX exam with a positive attitude to increase your odds of success.”³

Reasons to Become a Nurse

As we noted, becoming a nurse can be rewarding and meaningful. If you’re still not sure whether it’s the right career for you, here are some additional good points:

• Providing life-saving care: Brett Dodd, who earned a BSN and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) online from Chamberlain University, realized a dream of becoming a flight nurse. “I just wanted to take care of these really sick patients that were in need and needed transport by air.”
• Finding flexibility: “The high demand for nurses means a nursing career can offer a lot of flexibility,” the ANA ⁵ Through 2033, employment of RNs is projected to grow 6%.⁶
• Enjoying a versatile career: “The versatility of nursing is what has really been wonderful for me,” said Melanie O’Neill, whose nursing education includes associate, MSN and doctoral degrees. “Going from a direct care nurse to a nurse supervisor to a nurse educator to a manager to a director… It’s just all the different things you can do as a nurse.”
• Serving the greater good: “I just feel that nursing is a way that you’re able to give of yourself,” said Donna Crockett, who earned a BSN, MSN and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). “To me, it’s the greatest gift in life. Every day you get to go to work and make a difference in the life of a stranger. What else is better?”

Get Started on Your Nursing Degree

You can lay the groundwork for a nursing career by enrolling in an online degree program at an accredited university. Chamberlain University, the nation’s largest nursing school, offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs

Chamberlain’s online nursing degrees are designed with flexibility that lets adult professionals create the school-life-work balance that allows them to earn a degree. Coursework is 100% online and available 24/7. This lets you work on your timetable, with a laptop and internet connection.

Do you want to learn more about becoming a nurse? Contact a Chamberlain Enrollment Representative at 877.751.5783 for more information. As a nurse, you’ll contribute to the health and well-being of your community. Start your journey now and become a beacon of care and support, and an agent of social change.

Chamberlain University, an HLC-accredited institution, offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and certificate programs in nursing and healthcare professions. With a growing network of campuses and robust online programs, Chamberlain continues to build on more than 130 years of excellence in preparing extraordinary healthcare professionals.

¹Source: www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/what-is-nursing

²Source: www.nclex.com/files/2023_RN_Test%20Plan_English_FINAL.pdf

³Source: www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/becoming-a-nurse/tips-for-passing-the-nclex-exam/

⁴Source: www.ncsbn.org/public-files/NCLEX_Stats_2023_Q4_Factsheet.pdf

⁵Source: www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/becoming-a-nurse/why-is-nursing-a-good-career-choice/

⁶Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-1

By Chamberlain University