Becoming a nurse starts right here. This Article will link every step of your path to TEAS, Nursing School, and NCLEX so you can make a plan with confidence and learn more efficiently with Testavia. 

Nursing school refers to an accredited course or degree that helps you prepare to be licensed (RN or LPN) through instruction in the classroom, including clinical rotations, as well as the use of simulation labs. In this article, you’ll examine the various types of programs and timelines, discover the admission requirements (including the TEAS), explore the local options, and learn how your studies will contribute to NCLEX success.

Nursing School Overview: Programs, Requirements & Pathways

What you choose to pursue depends on where you are starting, your timeframe, and your career goals. The CCNE or ACEN must accredit the programs listed below to allow you to be licensed.

Nursing School Pathways at a Glance

LPN/LVN Certificate (Practical Nursing)

Length: ~12-18 months.

Results: Eligible for the NCLEX-PN entry-level practical nursing tasks with a scope that is supervised.

The next step is for many LPNs to connect with RNs through LPN-to-RN Bridge Programs.

ADN/ASN (Associate Degree in Nursing)

Length: ~2 years.

The result: You are eligible for the NCLEX-RN fastest route to RN licensure by attending an institution of higher learning.

Consider the following:

Some employers prefer BSN, and many ADN graduates complete RN-to-BSN programs after licensure.

BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)

Length: 4 years (traditional).

Results: Eligible for the NCLEX-RN; more extensive coursework (leadership research, leadership, and health in the community) and more career options.

Accelerated BSN (ABSN)

Length: 12-18 months (for students who have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree).

Results: NCLEX-RN eligibility, with an intense schedule.

Each of the top programs blends didactic courses, skill labs, high-fidelity simulations, and clinical rotations spanning pediatrics, medical-surgical, newborn mental health, and community health.

Start your Nursing school Prep as this will Strengthen Your Application.

Nursing School Requirements: GPA, TEAS & Admission Criteria

Admissions assess academic readiness and professional potential.

Common requirements

• GPA: Most programs require a cumulative GPA of 2.75-3.3+, or in the sciences, prerequisites.
• Prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry, College Math/Statistics, English Composition, Psychology, and Human Development.
• Standardized exams: Most programs require the TEAS exam (some accept the HESI A2).
• Non-academic components: Personal statements or recommendation letters, resumes, and, in some instances, an interview or a situational judgement test.
• Compliance with the requirements of vaccinations, background checks, Drug screening, and BLS certification (often before clinical).

The importance of TEAS

Schools use TEAS to assess the purpose of academic placement and to prepare students for cohorts. High scores can help offset weaker areas and improve performance in programs.

See admission paths and TEAS requirements for practical nursing programs

How Long Is Nursing School? Timeline by Degree Type

The typical duration

• LPN: 12 to 18 Months (certificate).
• ADN/ASN: less than 24 months (often 4 to 5 semesters).
• BSN: ~48 months (8 semesters), excluding remedial/prereq time.
• ABSN: 12-18 months (intensive; minimal breaks).

Factors that affect the timing of events.

• Credit transfer: Prior credit can be used to reduce general-ed and elective load.
• Bridge tracks: LPN-to-RN or RN-to-BSN — reduce duplication.
• Pacing: Full-time vs. part-time summer term, summer, and availability at the clinical Site.

Make plans ahead: Once you have been accepted, make sure you align your study schedule with Testavia’s NCLEX goal postings. 

See How Long Is Nursing School? to find a breakdown of degrees by degree.

Nursing Schools Near Me: Finding Accredited Programs

You must be accredited and have state approval. Follow these steps:

1. Verify Accreditation: Confirm CCNE and ACEN Accreditation on the program’s official website.
2. Verify the state’s approval: Check the State Board of Nursing’s list of approved programs.
3. Compare the formats: hybrid, campus, or online theory that includes the in-person clinics.
4. Filter by outcomes: NCLEX pass rates, clinical partnerships, student-to-faculty ratios. Start by using our search strategies for Nursing Schools in the USA: Guide, and keep an eye out for city guidebooks (e.g., Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta).

Best Nursing Schools in the U.S. (2025 Rankings & NCLEX Pass Rates)

Rankings should reflect students’ outcomes, not a gimmick. Consider:

• NCLEX passing rates (multi-year, not one-off).
• Clinical hours and Partnerships (breadth of assignments).
• The credentials of faculty and the ratios.
• Labs and simulation capabilities.
• Cost, scholarships, and graduation rate.

We combine public data and reports to create Best Nursing Schools in the U.S. (2025). Please use it in conjunction with your local search to evaluate fit and results. 

Once you’ve narrowed your list, move on to our NCLEX preparation materials to determine the final steps.

LPN Programs Near Me: Step-by-Step Enrollment Guide

Role & scope: LPNs provide foundational bedside care under RN/physician supervision. It’s a good way to accelerate your journey to healthcare and a smooth transition to RN.

Enrollment steps

1. Check for state-approved LPN programs. Confirm that the state has approved the LPN.
2. Admissions requirements and meet prereqs (may include HESI/TEAS).
3. The labs are complete, and the students have completed their clinical rotations.
4. Apply for NCLEX-PN or state licensure.
5. Make a plan for your LPN-to-RN pathway as early as possible if you are aiming for RN.

Nursing Schools That Don’t Require TEAS Exam

Some schools don’t require TEAS, and instead use HESI A2, GPA prerequisite interviews, or a comprehensive review. If you skip the TEAS, ensure you still demonstrate academic readiness especially in science and math.

• Check out the admissions criteria for nursing Schools that don’t require TEAS.
• If a school prefers HESI A2, take a look at our TEAS vs. HESI bridge.
• Whatever the exam, continue working on your fundamentals by practicing TEAS-style questions to improve performance on the first day of school.

BSN Degree Guide: Curriculum, Cost & Career Outlook

Course (core blocks)

• The fundamentals of Nursing and Nursing Math (calculations, Safety).
• Pathophysiology and Pharmacology (clinical reasoning, medications).
• Medical-Surgical Nursing; Maternal-Newborn, Pediatrics, Mental Health.
• Community/Population Health, Leadership & Management, Evidence-Based Practice.

The reason for the BSN is a broader range of clinical judgment, leadership, and the ability to take on more roles. 

Examine the tuition ranges, details, scholarships, and pay outlook from The BSN Graduation Guide. Be sure to align your studies with NGN-style clinical judgement from the beginning.

Nursing School Requirements vs LPN Bridge Programs

Entry into the standard entry (ADN/BSN) and bridge (LPN-to-RN) differ in terms of credit transfer, standing, and time-to-RN. If you have the current LPN license, bridges can reduce duplicate coursework and clinicals.

Snapshot of the decision

• Time and cost: Bridges often save both.
• Its scope: RN licensing expands the scope of responsibilities, as does pay.
• Fit: Consider your work schedule and local bridge availability.

Check out the details in the LPN-RN Bridge Program and ensure that it aligns with your long-term plans (RN BSN – BSN Specialization).

What to Expect in Your First Semester of Nursing School

Common course mix

• The fundamentals of nursing (skills and safety, as well as Care plans).
• Anatomy & Physiology refreshers; Dosage Calculations.
• Therapeutic and clinical communication techniques.
• Skills lab and simulation: Learn techniques and clinical judgement safely before patient care.

Tips for success

• Use study blocks that are structured (2-3 hours of deep-work sets), concept maps, and repeated space.
• Begin NCLEX-style questions early and train thinking, not only memorization.
• Prioritize the safety of patient content and health plans.

Please find out more in What to Expect in the First Semester, and our study materials for Fundamentals.

Bridge Articles (Contextual Connections)

Why Strong TEAS and NCLEX Prep Are Both Critical for Nursing School Success

A solid TEAS foundation will ensure more efficient performance in the first semester. At the same time, NCLEX-style exercises help develop the judgment needed to make decisions during clinical exams upon graduation. Training both: begin by doing TEAS drills for each section. Then, layer NCLEX items of the next generation when you’ve completed your fundamental classes.

Every course should align with the NCLEX’s Client Needs categories (e.g., Management of Care, Safety & Infection Control, Pharmacological Therapies). Utilize course objectives to select questions and scenarios that align with them.

Join Your Study Journey, the TEAS exam to NCLEX by using Testavia

The Final Step: Your Journey from student to nurse

Now you have the complete picture: select the best program, fulfill the admission prerequisites (ace the TEAS, if needed), then, pacing your schedule, choose a local accredited school, and start studying with the NCLEX’s outcomes in mind from the start. Testavia connects the entire process to specific exercises, checklists, and evidence-based studies.

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