How to Become a Nurse in 6 Steps

Wondering how to become a nurse? Choosing to become a nurse is a big life decision. Here, we’ll explore the 6 steps it takes to make your nursing dreams a reality. Whether you’re inspired to help others or are looking for a stable, rewarding career in healthcare, you have many opportunities to make a difference if you decide to become a nurse. 

From initially determining what propels you towards nursing to securing your first job, we’ll guide you through the essential steps of how to become a nurse. So let’s begin!

Step 1: Determine if Nursing is the Right Fit for You 

Assess Your Motivation and Strengths

Making the decision about how to become a nurse requires that you first assess your personal motivations and strengths. Discerning your own “why” will not only guide you to your right answer but can also be something that you return to for inspiration throughout your career. Do you want to make a difference in others’ lives during their time of need? Are you searching for job stability in a fast-paced career that can give you upward mobility?

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Also, determine whether you possess key nursing strengths like empathy, resilience and effective communication skills. These qualities are essential to ensuring you thrive in a career where you’re constantly working with patients, their families and healthcare teams. 

Understand the Role

Nursing can be a demanding career that requires you to go beyond just bedside care. From overseeing patient health to administering medications and delivering patient care plans, a nurse is expected to respond to the many diverse healthcare demands made on her. 

They are required to work closely alongside doctors while maintaining the empathic poise to support and encourage patients every day. Fully understanding the roles nurses play will help you determine whether nursing is for you. 

Consider the Challenges

With the fast-paced environment, complete with emotional days and long hours, nursing can be overly taxing on the caregiver. Concerns about burnout and compassion fatigue can overwhelm a nurse in their day-to-day responsibilities. You will also be faced with on-demand, quick decision-making that might feel unending. 

Patients, doctors, families and care teams alike will turn to you for guidance and support. As such, weigh the challenges carefully to decide whether you can meet the moments that will come your way should you decide on how to become a nurse. 

Step 2: Decide Which Nursing Path to Pursue

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

If you are looking to enter the nursing field as quickly as you can, becoming a LPN might be your best bet. LPNs provide essential care, like monitoring vital signs, helping patients with everyday care and activities, and completing daily healthcare tasks under the supervision of doctors and registered nurses (RNs). Most LPN programs take a year to finish, enabling you to get valuable hands-on experience as quickly as possible.

Registered Nurse (RN)

As an RN, you’ll be responsible for a wider array of responsibilities and will also be able to work in a more diverse range of settings, from hospitals to outpatient care clinics. RNs are responsible for administering medication, developing care plans, providing patient assessments, and likely supervising LPNs and nursing aides. 

Most RN programs take 2 years (for an Associate Degree in Nursing or ADN) to 4 years (for a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing or BSN) to complete. The many advantages of becoming an RN is that you’ll have greater career opportunities, higher income potential and more work autonomy in their roles.  

Advanced Practice Nurse (APRN)

If you’re seeking more advanced specialization, then becoming an APRN might be the choice for you. APRNs, including Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS), graduate with a nursing master’s or doctoral degree and often specialize in pediatrics, anesthesia or family care practice. 

APRNs have greater independence, often being on their own to diagnose illness, complete prescriptions, and provide overall patient care. APRNs are typically in high demand, enabling them to take on leadership roles and earn higher salaries. 

Step 3: Apply to Nursing Programs and Prepare for the Journey

Ensure Completion of All Prerequisites

Before enrolling in your nursing program, ensure you complete all required prerequisites. You usually need to finish requirements in courses like biology, anatomy, English and chemistry. You also typically need to maintain a minimum GPA. Finally, many nursing schools require you to take a nursing school entrance exam, like TEAS, HESI or PAX-RN. 

It is worthwhile to mention that you can get college course credit by simply testing out of prerequisites rather than sitting for semester-long courses. Achieve Test Prep can help you succeed in completing your prerequisites with CLEP exam prep for these courses. Achieve can also support you in passing your nursing school entrance exam the first time.  

Explore and Choose the Best Accredited Nursing Programs

Research programs that best fit your nursing career goals. ACEN or CCNE accreditation is also helpful so that you can get a quality accreditation that future employers would value. Other important factors to consider include the program length, costs, specialization options and clinical experience possibilities. When you locate the best program for your goals and intentions, you position yourself to thrive in your nursing career from the outset.  

Submit Applications with a Well-Planned Strategy

Applying to nursing school can be a competitive process. Ensure that you have a good blend of reach and safety schools so that you strategically prepare for all possibilities. Make sure that all of your application materials, like transcripts, personal statements and letters of reference are in good order and make your candidacy shine. 

Put your best foot forward as you step onto your nursing career so that you can make your dream a reality. Things are about to get exciting!

Step 4: Graduate from Your Nursing Program

Master Theoretical Nursing Knowledge

You’re in! So give nursing school the attention and love only someone with the passion for making a difference in people’s lives can bring. Mastering theoretical nursing knowledge positions you with the confidence you need to do so. This means you have the required nursing competence and can apply that to real-world situations with ease. 

From learning the ethics of patient care to understanding patient anatomy, your coursework prepares you for complex healthcare realities of your profession. Upon graduation, you will have the informed judgment and critical thinking skills to make informed decisions that are in the best interests of your patients.   

Gain Practical Experience through Clinical Rotations

Clinical rotations offer you the hands-on opportunity to apply your theoretical expertise towards real-world patient care. Under the supervision of doctors and practiced nurses, you gain practical experience in a diverse range of clinical settings, like hospitals and specialized care environments. 

Clinical rotations give you more confidence to realistically work in patient care surroundings because you receive experience in patient communication, assessment and treatment. You also gain first-hand expertise in the everyday, dynamic demands of being a nurse.

Step 5: Earn Your Nursing License

Prepare and Pass the NCLEX Exam

The NCLEX, taken after graduating from nursing school, licenses you to become an RN. Preparing yourself for passing the NCLEX exam is a critical step to your nursing career success. This comprehensive exam evaluates the essential skills you have gained throughout your education. 

To be successful, you need to master prep materials, take practice exams and understand the exam structure. Achieve Test Prep is here for you when you are ready to take your NCLEX and pass the first time. 

Meet State-Specific Licensure Requirements

Every state has specific requirements beyond the NCLEX like background checks, continuing education or extra certifications. Familiarize yourself with your state’s licensing requirements so that you can prepare ahead of time for any last-minute requirements to avoid any unnecessary delays. 

Step 6: Begin Your Career and Continue Professional Growth

Secure Your First Nursing Job

Congratulations – you’ve arrived! You’ve landed your first job as a nurse. You’ve completed a journey that begins your nursing career. After leveraging your network, professional experience and career resources towards securing a nursing job, you’ve found that great opportunity that aligns with your career goals. 

Whether you are working in a hospital, clinic or specialized care environment, you’ve made the first, best step toward a promising nursing career. Make it matter by making a difference in the lives of your patients every day. 

Pursue Specializations to Enhance Your Expertise

Never stop learning and sharpen your expertise in specializations like pediatrics or critical care. This opens the door to more advanced opportunities, boosts your value and earning potential and can certainly lead to better job satisfaction. By pursuing a specialization you love and enjoy, you can become a more in-demand nurse in your career journey.  

Commit to Lifelong Learning

Your commitment to lifelong learning will help you keep pace with the ever-evolving healthcare world. Your commitment to nursing best practices will prime you to give your best to your patients every day and will orient you better towards a growth mindset for patient care. 

From earning further education certifications to attending specialization workshops, you can make a better difference in your patients’ lives in their healing and restoration. This can also be a real difference maker in your own professional journey and life. 

Curious About How to Become a Nurse with Achieve Test Prep’s Support? 

Take your first step towards an exciting nursing career with Achieve today. With Achieve’s comprehensive support for your nursing education journey, you can fast-track your career and make your nursing dreams a reality. Let us help you achieve your career aspirations with programs like LPN to RN, LPN to BSN, CNA to RN, RN to BSN and many more options to help you earn your nursing degree. Don’t just take our word for it, hear what so many satisfied students have to say about succeeding with Achieve.