Can You Become a Nurse with a GED? What To Know

Attend a Community College

While some four-year colleges accept GEDs for admissions, community college is often a better option for GED students. Community colleges have open admissions policies. This means they allow all students meeting the minimum requirements to attend. Community colleges usually offer diploma, certificate, and associate degree programs. They're a good way to complete your general education coursework, as they cost less in tuition than four-year institutions.

Complete the General Education Coursework Requirements

General education courses are core courses most students must take to earn their degree. They usually include:

• a public speaking course
• an English composition course
• a math course

In most cases, you'll need to complete your general education courses before pursuing the courses for your major. However, some community colleges and nursing schools offer an Associate Degree in nursing (ADN) that requires very few general courses. Speak to an advisor to learn more.

Speak to an Academic Advisor

When trying to go from a GED to a nursing degree, your college or university's academic advisors will be your biggest help. They'll ensure you take all necessary prerequisite courses to prepare for your degree. Prerequisites include general education courses, but may also include some biology and chemistry courses. Your academic advisor can also help determine if an ADN or Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) degree is for you.

Apply and Enroll in a Nursing School Program

Two primary types of programs lead to licensure as a registered nurse: an Associate Degree in nursing and a Bachelor of Science in nursing. ADN programs take about two years, while BSN programs take about four.

These programs usually cover concepts like:

• anatomy and physiology
• medical ethics
• medical terminology
• patient care

The educational requirements for undergraduate nursing programs also include clinical practice hours. These allow students to get hands-on practice in nursing to prepare them for their nursing jobs. Because an ADN and a BSN lead to licensure, some students opt to earn their associate degree, get licensed, and begin working as a registered nurse. They then return to school to earn their bachelor's degree through an RN to BSN program.

Pass the NCLEX and Gain Nursing Licensure

In addition to holding a nursing degree from an accredited nursing program, all states require registered nurses to earn a passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to obtain their RN license. Additional licensing requirements vary by state. For example, your state may require you to pass a background check or to be certified in CPR or basic life support (BLS).

Once you've obtained your license, you must work as a registered nurse. You'll be required to periodically renew your license, which may include completing continuing education hours or retesting.

Consider a Graduate Degree in Nursing

Some students choose to further their nursing career by continuing their nursing education and earning a graduate degree in nursing. Students can earn a Master of Science in nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

These degrees allow you to pursue a career path as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), also called a:

• nurse practitioner
• certified nurse midwife
• nurse anesthetist

These nurses can do things that standard RNs cannot, like prescribe medicine or act as primary care providers. The admissions requirements and application process for these degrees vary but generally include meeting a minimum GPA requirement and holding a current RN license. They may also include entrance exams or RN work experience.

FAQs About Becoming a Nurse With a GED

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about becoming a nurse with a GED.

Is a High School Diploma Better Than a GED for Becoming a Nurse?

In some cases, a high school diploma may be better than a GED as not all nursing schools accept the GED. However, many community colleges and four-year colleges accept the GED and offer nursing programs.

Can You Become a Registered Nurse if You Didn't Do Well in High School?

It is possible to become a registered nurse if you didn't do well in high school. Depending on your GPA, you may need to start at a community college or take an entrance exam to be accepted into a nursing program, but with hard work, you can raise your GPA enough to be accepted into nursing school.

What Is a Good GPA for Nursing School?

The minimum GPA you'll need for nursing school is usually a 3.0. However, more competitive nursing programs may require a GPA of 3.7 or higher.