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Becoming a nurse takes seven clear steps: choose the type of nurse you want to become, meet prerequisites, apply to a program, sit for required admissions exams, complete coursework and clinicals, pass the NCLEX, and earn your state license. The exact path varies depending on whether you’re aiming for an LPN/LVN, an ADN, or a BSN, but the structure looks similar across each one.
This page walks the journey end-to-end so you can see what each step asks of you and roughly when it happens. We point to deeper resources at every stage, including prerequisite planning, TEAS preparation, program comparisons, NCLEX strategy, and licensure by state. If you already know which credential fits your situation, jump to the step that matches where you are now.
A note before we start: nursing school is real work. Thousands of students complete this path every year, and the steps below are well-trodden. Knowing what’s coming is most of the battle.
Three credentials open the door to bedside nursing practice. Practical Nursing (PN), called Vocational Nursing (VN) in Texas and California, prepares you for the NCLEX-PN and entry-level licensed practical nurse roles in roughly twelve months. An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) prepares you for the NCLEX-RN and registered nurse practice in about two years. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) covers the same RN scope with added coursework in leadership, community health, and research, completed in three to four years depending on the program.
You aren’t locked in. ADN Bridge and RN to BSN pathways let practicing nurses add credentials later, and graduate programs like the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) open advanced practice and leadership roles. For a side-by-side comparison, see Nursing Programs.
Many nursing programs require a foundation of college-level coursework before you can apply or begin the core nursing curriculum. Common prerequisites include anatomy and physiology, microbiology, English composition and introductory psychology. Some programs also require chemistry, statistics or developmental psychology.
At many schools, completing these prerequisite courses can add six to 12 months to your overall timeline and increase the total cost of earning your degree.
At Galen, it’s different. You don’t need to complete prerequisite courses before applying or starting your program. Instead, prerequisite coursework is built into our nursing programs, so you can begin working toward your nursing degree right away. Because these courses are included in the curriculum, they don’t extend the length of our programs. That means you can complete your education in as little as 2 years for an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or 3 years for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), helping you save both time and money on your path to becoming a nurse.
If you’re comparing nursing schools, understanding how prerequisite requirements affect your timeline can help you choose the program that’s right for you. We go deeper at Nursing School Prerequisites.
A complete nursing school application usually includes official transcripts, a GPA that meets the program’s minimum, scores from an admissions test like the TEAS or HESI, letters of reference, and a personal statement.
Application timing is worth understanding early. Many nursing programs, including ours at Galen, accept applications for multiple start dates per year rather than a single annual cycle. A missed deadline doesn’t mean a lost year. Plan to submit your application a few months before your target start date so you have time to retake an exam if needed.
The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is the standardized admissions exam used by most U.S. nursing programs. It covers four sections: reading, mathematics, science and English. The full exam runs about three and a half hours.
Score requirements vary widely. Some programs accept scores in the 60s; competitive programs can require 80 or higher. The TEAS is designed to predict whether you can handle the academic load of nursing school, which means it tests preparedness more than knowledge you’ll memorize on the way in.
Plan to take the TEAS several months before applying so you have time to retest if your score lands below your target program’s range.
Once you’re in, the program itself is where the work happens. You’ll move through classroom instruction in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and nursing care across specialties; lab work in skills and assessment; simulation in increasingly complex clinical scenarios; and clinical rotations at partner hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Program length depends on the credential: about twelve months for Practical/Vocational Nursing, two years for an ADN, and three years for Galen’s BSN, faster than the typical four-year university route because the curriculum focuses on nursing without the wider general education requirements.
Clinical rotations are where classroom learning meets bedside practice. At Galen, clinicals frequently take place at HCA Healthcare facilities, which gives students hands-on exposure to high-acuity environments alongside practicing nurses. For program-specific length and content, see Nursing Programs and How Long Is Nursing School?.
After you graduate, you sit for the National Council Licensure Examination. LPN/LVN graduates take the NCLEX-PN; ADN and BSN graduates take the NCLEX-RN. The exam is computer-adaptive, which means it adjusts question difficulty based on your performance as you go.
Most graduates schedule the NCLEX within one to three months of completing their program, while the material is still fresh and study habits are intact. Your school’s NCLEX pass rate is one of the more useful data points to ask about during your program search, because it reflects how well the curriculum prepares students for the exam.
Galen’s curriculum is built around NCLEX readiness from the first term, and we support graduates with preparation resources through testing. See NCLEX and Licensure and Best NCLEX Prep Resources for prep strategy and what to expect on test day.
Passing the NCLEX is one half of becoming licensed. The other half is application to the board of nursing in the state where you intend to practice. Each state board sets its own requirements, but applications generally include exam results, a background check, fingerprinting, and licensing fees.
Once your state board approves your application, you receive your license and can practice as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse within that state’s scope of practice. Many states participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact, which allows nurses to practice across participating states under a single multistate license.
Galen’s program prepares you for the NCLEX. The NCLEX and your state board of nursing grant your license. We mention this distinction because it matters: no nursing school issues a license. State licensure is what makes you a nurse.
The application list looks long the first time you see it. Once you break it down, most pieces are straightforward.
Academic prerequisites. Most ADN and BSN programs expect you to have completed courses like anatomy and physiology, microbiology, English composition, and introductory psychology. At Galen, these prerequisite courses are built into our nursing programs, so you can start your nursing education without completing them before you apply.
GPA. Minimum GPA requirements vary. ADN programs commonly require a 2.5 or higher; BSN programs often look for a 3.0 or higher. Competitive programs can sit above that. Your prerequisite GPA, calculated only from the required science and core courses, sometimes matters more than your overall GPA.
Admissions exams. Most programs require the TEAS or HESI. Some accept either; some specify one.
Non-academic requirements. Once you’re admitted, expect a background check, drug screening, current immunizations, and CPR or Basic Life Support certification before clinical rotations begin. Most programs ask for these after acceptance, not at the application stage.
Letters and statements. Two or three letters of reference and a personal statement are common at other nursing schools. At Galen, they aren’t required in your application.
We cover all admission requirements in detail at Nursing School Admission Requirements and prerequisite-specific information at Nursing School Prerequisites.
The TEAS, short for Test of Essential Academic Skills, is the most common admissions exam for U.S. nursing programs. The HESI A2 is the other widely used test, and a smaller number of programs accept the Kaplan Nursing Entrance Exam or either of the major tests.
The TEAS measures four areas: reading comprehension, mathematics, science (including anatomy, physiology, life science, and chemistry) and English. The exam runs about three and a half hours and is administered both in person at testing centers and remotely with proctoring.
Score requirements depend on the program. A score in the low 60s might meet the minimum for some programs; competitive programs can require 80 or higher. Composite score matters most, but some programs also look at section scores.
When should you take it? Most applicants test two to six months before applying. That window gives you time to study, sit for the exam, and retake it if needed. You can retest the TEAS, though most programs limit how many attempts they’ll consider and require a waiting period between sittings.
The end-to-end timeline depends on which credential you’re working toward and where you start. A few common paths:
The full-program timeline also includes time between graduation and licensure. Most graduates sit for the NCLEX within one to three months of finishing the program, and state boards usually issue licenses within a few weeks of receiving exam results.
We break down program-specific timelines on our How Long Is Nursing School? page.
Acceptance isn’t the finish line for the application process. There’s usually one to three months of follow-up tasks between your acceptance letter and your first day of class.
Most programs ask new students to complete:
Some programs also require additional certifications or readings before clinical placements start, and a few campuses host on-site orientation days that introduce you to instructors, classmates, and the facilities you’ll use.
This phase is mostly logistics, but it matters. Clinical sites have their own compliance requirements, and a missing immunization record or expired BLS card can delay a first rotation. Most programs send a detailed checklist with your acceptance materials so you can work through it methodically.
If you’ve been accepted to a Galen program, your admissions advisor will walk you through campus-specific next steps and timelines.
Galen is a nursing-focused college with a single mission: preparing competent, confident, compassionate nurses who advance healthcare and strengthen communities. Today, that mission takes shape across 25 campuses in 13 states, with programs from Practical Nursing through Doctor of Nursing Practice.
A few things worth knowing about applying to Galen:
Multiple start dates per year. Most Galen campuses run several program start dates throughout the year rather than a single annual intake. The next application window is usually within a few months, not a year away.
Clinical placements built around HCA Healthcare. Galen has a deep partnership with HCA Healthcare, one of the country’s largest health systems. Many of our students complete clinical rotations at HCA facilities, which gives you hands-on time in real hospital environments alongside practicing nurses.
Program selection by campus. Not every program runs at every campus. Use the campus locator to see which programs are offered where, and to find the campus nearest you.
Admissions advisors who know your path. Application requirements vary by program and state, and your advisor can walk you through what your specific journey looks like. They can also tell you about TEAS expectations, prerequisite options, and start dates at your campus of interest.
When you’re ready, the next step is short: schedule an info session, request information, or find your nearest campus.
Depends on path. Twelve months for Practical/Vocational Nursing; two years for an ADN; three to four years for a BSN, including Galen’s three-year program. Bridge programs are faster for nurses already licensed at a lower credential.
Practical/Vocational Nursing programs don’t require a prior college degree. ADN programs are typically offered through colleges, including Galen, and BSN programs through universities and nursing-focused colleges. Every nursing credential requires formal education.
Not for every path. Practical Nursing and ADN programs don’t require a prior degree. Accelerated or second-degree BSN options are built for people who already hold a bachelor’s in another field. If you’re starting from scratch, you have options at every level.
Different licenses, different exams, different scope of practice. LPNs and LVNs provide patient care under the supervision of RNs and physicians, often in long-term care, clinic, and home health settings. RNs have broader clinical autonomy and a wider range of career paths. See Nursing Programs for more.
Yes. It’s academically demanding, and clinical rotations add physical and emotional weight that traditional coursework doesn’t. Most students describe it as the hardest thing they’ve done. They also describe finishing it. Thousands of nurses come out of nursing programs every year, and the work is genuinely doable with planning and support.
It varies by program type, location, and how much aid you qualify for. The sticker price is rarely what students actually pay. See Paying for Nursing School for typical ranges and the most effective ways to lower your total cost.
The licensure exam every nurse in the United States must pass to practice. There are two versions: NCLEX-PN for Practical Nursing (LPN/LVN) candidates, NCLEX-RN for Registered Nurses. Passing the NCLEX, along with meeting your state’s other requirements, is what turns a graduate into a licensed nurse. See NCLEX and Licensure.
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