How to Become an RN Fast Without Starting From Scratch: 5 Proven Shortcuts to a Life-Changing Career

What if you didn’t have to start all over to become an RN? If you’ve already put in the work – maybe as a CNA, medical assistant or other healthcare field or you have already earned a degree, taken classes, you don’t have to start from scratch. The good news? If you believe your calling is to become an RN, then your path may be easier than you might expect. 

Thousands of aspiring RNs are discovering faster, smarter and more affordable ways of joining the nursing workforce. In this guide, you’ll learn five of the best shortcuts for fast-track your nursing career; be it testing out of college courses, leveraging prior credits or selecting a flexible online option, we’ve got you covered. 

You might just discover your graduation is closer than you think. And remember, Achieve is here for you when you need us to accelerate your college education and career with our flexible nursing bridge pathways and credit-by-exam options. So let’s begin so you can get on the road to success, without starting from scratch! 

1. Test Out, Don’t Burn Out: Credit-by-Exam Programs

Why sit through what you already know? With credit by exam, you can bypass semester-long credit hours by taking one 90-minute, standardized exam that gives you fast college credit for subjects you have already mastered. Consider some of the easiest CLEP exams for starters. 

If you have completed prior college coursework, experienced life skills or a healthcare background that lends itself to prior learnings, this efficient pathway would be a great fit for you. Save time, tuition and hassle and pass your CLEP or DSST exams.   

 How Achieve Can Help

Achieve specializes in fast-tracking busy, adult learners’ nursing education with our LPN to RN, LPN to BSN and CNA to RN bridge pathways among others. Our LPN to RN pathway, for example, helps you bypass lecture-heavy semesters with flexible, guided credit-by-exam solutions that are accepted by over 2900 accredited colleges. 

The result? You save time and expense without sacrificing quality outcomes for your accelerated career. Contact us today to discover how we can simplify your nursing education journey. 

2. Cash In on Prior Credits: Transfer-Friendly Nursing Programs

Don't let your already-earned college credits go to waste. If you’ve completed general education or prerequisite courses years ago, you may be in luck to transfer them to your ASN or BSN nursing program. Whether you started your college education previously but didn’t finish or pursued an altogether different degree, you could transfer your earned credits to shortcut your nursing education pathway. 

Many nursing programs are specifically designed to be transfer-friendly for your prior credit learnings so that you are on the fastest-track to your ASN or BSN. This could mean that you can shave off semesters and thousands in tuition with this option. 

Combine this with a smart program like Achieve that can help you evaluate your college credit earnings and position you for more credits transferred through credit-by-exam placement and you’ll be on the fastest pathway to career success. 

3. Leverage Your Experience: From LPN, CNA, Paramedic, EMT or MA to RN

Have you worked in the healthcare field? You’re not starting from scratch, you’re starting ahead. Whether you’re an LPN, CNA, paramedic, EMT or medical assistant, your pre-education career counts. Your patient care skills can be paid forward when you want to go back to school. 

What’s more, even if you want to continue working while pursuing an education, flexible supportive pathways like Achieve Test Prep can help you get ahead. Your clinical experience, practical patient care and healthcare skills are a foundational asset to fast-tracking your nursing school education. You can get ahead of traditional college semesters by having your practical experience count for the general education or prerequisite courses.

4. Work While You Learn: Flexible, Online and Hybrid Options

Are you worried you don’t have time to go back to school? Think again – flexible, online and hybrid options exist to make your nursing school experience easy and flexible around your busy schedule. With streamlined course loads and real-time support, these programs ensure you get ahead without falling behind on your life and work priorities. 

Plus there are local options to complete your clinicals so that you can keep your education convenient. Remember, online doesn’t mean you’re on your own. Many virtual options offer live instruction, peer interaction environments, guided coaching and real-time support so you never feel like you have to go it alone. 

For career changers, busy, working adults and those who want to get ahead, online programs might be your best bet to shortcut traditional college education. Consider Achieve’s trusted online nursing education pathways to get the support, guidance and accountability you need to fast-track your career.

5. Already Have a Degree? Get an Accelerated BSN

Your degree matters because it can be your biggest shortcut. If you’ve earned a college degree in any field, you may be eligible to accelerate your BSN program. By earning an accelerated BSN (ABSN) you can fast-track your graduation from nursing school and join the workforce sooner. 

In as little as 12-18 months, you can earn your ABSN and become RN-ready, even if you’re working part-time or managing a busy family. Although they are academically rigorous, they may be your fastest pathway yet to a better degree.

Ready to Become an RN Faster with Achieve? 

You don’t need to start from scratch if you partner with Achieve to accelerate your nursing education pathway. Whether you’re bringing previous credits, a prior degree or healthcare experience to the table, Achieve can help you get your way to a rewarding nursing career. Contact us today to discover how we can get you on the fastest pathway!