How to Become an RN Fast With an Accelerated Nursing Program

You’ve decided you want to become a nurse. Now what? You might be wondering how to become an RN fast. If you have some college experience, you may be able to fast-track your path to a career in nursing through Concordia University, St. Paul’s Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program in as few as 16 months.

Earning your degree through an ABSN program and passing the NCLEX is among the fastest ways to become a registered nurse, and it’s simple to get started if you meet the eligibility requirements. Here’s how to become a nurse fast with an ABSN program.

The Fastest Way to Become a Nurse: Insights on the ABSN Program

Before diving into the ABSN admission process, you’ll want to learn more about the program like how it works and whether it’s the right choice for you. Here’s what you need to know:

Why Choose an ABSN Program?

First, why choose an ABSN program over a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program? The traditional route toward a BSN usually takes four years of full-time undergraduate study. In contrast, the ABSN program at CSP Global can take as few as 16 months following the successful completion of prerequisites. That means you can graduate sooner, obtain your nursing license and enter the job marketplace sooner. If you already have at least 54 non-nursing college credits, a shorter route to becoming a nurse is available.

An ABSN program offers the same quality of education and the same rigor of nursing skills instruction as a traditional BSN program, and a BSN-prepared nurse will be ready to tackle nursing responsibilities regardless of whether they graduate from an ABSN program or a traditional BSN program.

Another perk of an ABSN program is the hybrid approach to learning. Traditional BSN programs tend to consist entirely of in-person learning components. In contrast, ABSN programs like CSP Global’s often offer online coursework paired with in-person experiential learning.

Challenges of ABSN Programs

Although ABSN programs can be a great choice, they do offer certain challenges. Because of the accelerated timeline, students need to be able to keep up with a rapid pace of learning. You’ll need to plan on committing yourself to a full-time workload with long hours of study. That’s one reason why it’s important to choose an ABSN program with dedicated faculty members like those at CSP Global.

How Long Does an ABSN Program Take?

Every student’s journey is a little different. In general, however, our ABSN program is designed to be completed in as few as 16 months. This timeline does not include the time required to complete any necessary prerequisite courses.

Structure of an ABSN Program

Before enrolling, it’s a good idea to learn about the basic structure of an ABSN program. At CSP Global, you’ll participate in:

• Online coursework includes rich media experiences, interactive presentations and case studies, written assignments based on textbook readings, online discussions, a variety of ways to interact with your faculty while organizing your personal and academic life.
• On-campus skills labs provide you with in-person practice for basic to complex nursing skills, such as checking vital signs, examining patients and inserting IVs. Labs offer the opportunity to learn in a safe and supportive environment.
• Clinical learning experiences under the guidance of clinical instructors are an important component to nursing education because they help you gain the knowledge and clinical reasoning you’ll need to make a smooth transition to professional nursing.

How to Become a Nurse Fast With an ABSN Program

Now that you’re familiar with the basics of the ABSN program, take a look at how to become an RN fast:

Find a Program and Talk With Admissions

Becoming a registered nurse (RN) begins with finding the nursing school and program that fits your needs. That means weighing factors that matter to you, such as:

• Your timeline: Though not for everyone, Accelerated BSN programs offer qualified candidates a quicker path to earning a BSN degree than traditional, four-year programs. Whether you can relocate: Depending on where you live, relocating could be your best option for getting into nursing school.
• Required background: If you have at least 54 credits or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, you can earn your BSN degree in as few as 16 months.
• Number of start dates: Look for a program that offers multiple start dates per year so you can begin sooner. Our ABSN program offers three start dates per year at both our Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Portland, Oregon, sites.

Once you’ve decided on a program that sounds right for you, it’s time to contact an admissions advisor. During your initial call, they will go over the admissions requirements and ask you about:

• Your reason(s) for wanting to be a nurse
• Why you think the program is a good fit
• Your previous education (including grades, major, etc.)
• Your background (including anything that might be of concern)

Fulfill the Admission Requirements

Following a transcript review, your admissions advisor will work with you to create an individualized plan for meeting any outstanding requirements. The requirements for the ABSN program include:

• Completion of 54 non-nursing college credits or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree with a cumulative college GPA of 3.00
• Completion of the required prerequisite courses with at least a grade of C or higher and have a 3.0 GPA of combined science prerequisites (microbiology, human anatomy and physiology I and II and chemistry for health sciences)
• Completion of the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam with a minimum score of 65% within a year prior to your application to the program (only two attempts allowed per year).

Many nursing students have previous experience in science-related fields of study, and as a result, they do not need to take all the prerequisite courses. While general education credits do not expire, required math and science courses must have been taken within the past seven years.

Any applicants who do not hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree are also required to complete several general education requirements. You’ll work with your admissions advisor to create an individualized plan for completion.

Apply to Nursing School

While every school is a little different, once you have met the requirements, you can typically go ahead and apply for the program. At Concordia University, St. Paul, the application process includes submitting an online application, a professional resume, official transcripts and a criminal background check.

Our admissions process is based on a rolling schedule, which is a plus for those seeking how to become a nurse fast. Rolling admissions means we’ll review your application as soon as we receive it and respond with a decision within a few weeks. After acceptance into the program, you’ll be able to enroll and begin this exciting new educational path!

Earn Your Nursing Degree

Where you earn your nursing degree matters, because you need an education to thoroughly prepare you for the challenges you’ll face working in today’s increasingly complex healthcare environment. Over the course of 16 months as a CSP Global ABSN student, you’ll participate in coursework and experiential learning opportunities that are designed to prepare you to confidently sit for the licensure exam and become a practice-ready nurse.

Take the NCLEX-RN and Get Licensed

The final steps to becoming an RN are to apply for licensure and take the NCLEX-RN® exam. Fortunately, registering is not as complicated as it might seem.

Upon conferral of your BSN degree from CSP, you will apply for RN licensure by examination with the board of nursing in the state where you plan to work. After doing so, you’ll receive emailed instructions on how to complete your background check and register to take the NCLEX. Once this process is complete, you’ll receive authorization to sit for the NCLEX.

While it’s true that the NCLEX is difficult, you’ll graduate well-prepared. Remember that passing the NCLEX will require dedicated studying. Our ABSN program prepares you for the NCLEX-RN from the very first semester. You will have tutorials, practice questions, additional resources and proctored assessments that are similar to the content on the licensure exam. Each semester, you will prepare to be successful.

Once you pass the NCLEX and meet any other state requirements including background checks, you’ll receive your registered nurse license. With your BSN and RN license in hand, you’ll be ready to start your first nursing job.

Make Your Nursing Dream a Reality

Now you know how to become an RN fast, so if nursing is your calling, don’t wait to enter this rewarding field. With the Accelerated BSN at CSP Global in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Portland, Oregon, you may be able to earn your nursing degree in as few as 16 months.

Reach out to our ASBN admissions advisors today. We’ll walk with you step-by-step through the journey to a professional nursing career.