Fastest Way To Become a Nurse in North Carolina 2026

<h3 id="section---HighSchoolDiplomaOrGED">High School Diploma or GED</h3><p>The fastest way to become an RN always begins with finishing high school or obtaining a General Education Diploma (GED). These are the bare minimum requirements before entering a nursing degree program at a university or community college. Prospective nurses should focus on earning a high grade point average (GPA) during high school to qualify for college admissions and merit scholarships for nursing school. </p><h3 id="section---NursingEducation">Nursing Education</h3><p>There are several pathways to earning nursing credentials, but the fastest way to jumpstart your nursing career would be to enroll in a <a href="https://learn.org/articles/12_month_accelerated_nursing_programs.html">12-month accelerated nursing program</a>. We'll discuss how to accomplish this and other degree programs faster and more affordable in the sections below. </p><h3 id="section---NCLEXExam">NCLEX Exam</h3><p>First, make sure you select academic programs that offer the best chance of passing North Carolina's licensing exams. All nursing professionals must pass the National Council Licensure Examinations (NCLEX) for either nurse practitioners or RNs. There are two nurse licensure options: an NCLEX-PN or an NCLEX-RN, depending on your career path. </p><h3 id="section---NorthCarolinaLicensureRequirements">North Carolina Licensure Requirements</h3><p>The NCBON governs licensure requirements in North Carolina. For any nursing credential, license applicants must complete the appropriate education, such as nursing coursework for a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), and pass the NCLEX exam. </p><p>Then, you must apply for licensure, undergo a criminal background check, and submit licensure endorsements (if applicable). Finally, depending on which license you select, North Carolina may require further continuing education to maintain your license. </p><h2 id="section---FastestWaysToBecomeANurseInNorthCarolina">Fastest Ways To Become a Nurse in North Carolina</h2><p>Next, let's explore some of the fast-track ways to earn various nursing licenses. This will include how to earn an LPN, licensed vocational nurse (LVN), RN, BSN, as well as several ''bridge programs,'' which allow you to advance from one to another quicker than traditional programs. </p><h3 id="section---LPNProgram">LPN Program</h3><ul><li><b>Typical program length:</b> 12 to 18 months </li></ul><p>LPN programs offer hands-on specialized training for nurse aides and other professionals who provide bedside patient care for the sick, injured, or disabled. This is similar to an LVN certification, requiring students to take coursework to learn about basic patient care, disease management, medication management, and more. These programs prepare graduates to sit for the NCLEX exam. </p><h3 id="section---AcceleratedBachelorOfScienceInNursing">Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing</h3><ul><li><b>Typical program length:</b> One year </li></ul><p>A BSN degree is a more advanced credential than the LVN or LPN and requires a student to complete a bachelor's degree from an accredited school of nursing. This would ordinarily take two to four years to complete, but now, more universities allow nurses with previous education and clinical experience to earn the BSN faster through accelerated programs. These include RN-to-BSN programs, which enable nurses to advance their careers by completing a bachelor's degree within 12 to 16 months. </p><h3 id="section---RNToBSNBridgeProgram">RN-to-BSN Bridge Program</h3><ul><li><b>Typical program length:</b> One to two years </li></ul><p>RN-to-BSN bridge programs make it possible to finish pre-licensure education much sooner. What normally takes four years to complete, nurses can do within 12 to 24 months of a fast-paced curriculum. There are even many online or hybrid RN-to-BSN opportunities, making it easier to complete your credentials without setting foot on campus. </p><h3 id="section---LPNToRNBridgeProgram">LPN-to-RN Bridge Program</h3><ul><li><b>Typical program length:</b> One to two years </li></ul><p>If you wish to progress from the role of nurse's aide to full-time professional nursing, then you can do so faster by entering an LPN-to-RN bridge program in North Carolina. RNs earn higher salaries, perform provider duties rather than just bedside care, supervise other LPNs, and make important patient-care decisions. </p><p>Some positions, such as nurse anesthetists, require an RN for employment. LPN-to-RN programs can help you become an RN in one or two years rather than four. After that, you could elect to go one step further by training to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) and enjoy even more career options. </p><h3 id="section---AssociateDegreeInNursing">Associate Degree in Nursing</h3><ul><li><b>Typical program length:</b> Two years </li></ul><p>You can enter an associate degree program as soon as you earn your high school diploma or GED and enroll in an accredited community college nursing school. Prospective nurses might pursue either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) with a nursing emphasis. Both prepare students to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to earn important credentials. </p><h2 id="section---FastestNursingDegreesInNorthCarolina">Fastest Nursing Degrees in North Carolina</h2><p>Let's explore some institutions that offer these fast-track degrees in North Carolina. We have identified five accelerated nursing programs you should consider. </p><h3 id="section---1.EastCarolinaUniversity">1. East Carolina University</h3><p>East Carolina University (ECU)'s ABSN program lets nurses finish the essential BSN credential in as little as 12 months. This allows graduates to become an RN if they weren't already and counts as a ''second degree'' for most program participants. This is an on-campus only option and must involve a full-time commitment. </p><ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $12,000 </li><li><b>Program length:</b> 12 months </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) </li></ul><h3 id="section---2.UniversityOfNorthCarolinaCharlotte">2. University of North Carolina - Charlotte</h3><p>The University of North Carolina - Charlotte lets you complete an ABSN within 16 months — two fall semesters, one spring semester, and a summer session. Enrolled students automatically qualify for consideration to receive competitive scholarships, and graduates finish the program with the necessary education to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. </p><ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $15,000 </li><li><b>Program length:</b> 16 months </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> CCNE </li></ul><h3 id="section---3.UniversityOfNorthCarolinaWilmington">3. University of North Carolina - Wilmington</h3><p>The University of North Carolina - Wilmington has a four-semester ABSN program, allowing you to finish within 16 months with a chance to earn generous scholarship funding. This program only opens once per year, beginning in the summer, and is not automatically available to all pre-nursing students. You must apply by the December deadline to receive admission consideration. </p><ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $18,000 </li><li><b>Program length:</b> 16 months </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> CCNE </li></ul><h3 id="section---4.WesternCarolinaUniversity">4. Western Carolina University</h3><p>Western Carolina University has a second degree nursing option, which boasts a 100% pass rate among graduates who take the NCLEX. The program website lists several mandatory prerequisites, most of which you must finish before applying. The program also requires a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for admissions. </p><ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $15,000 </li><li><b>Program length:</b> 16 months </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> CCNE </li></ul><h3 id="section---5.NortheasternUniversity">5. Northeastern University</h3><p>Northeastern University offers an ABSN program, which requires in-person attendance for experienced labs and proctored exams, but you can do some of the coursework online. </p><p>Although this university's tuition costs are higher, it offers significant scholarship funding to attract students to its program, which serves areas with substantial nursing shortages. </p><ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $88,000 </li><li><b>Program length:</b> 16 months </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> CCNE </li></ul><h2 id="section---HowWeRankSchools">How We Rank Schools</h2><p>Here's an explanation of how we rank nursing schools. These programs must satisfy the following three criteria: accreditation, reputation, and program length. </p><ul><li><b>Accreditation:</b> Nursing schools must possess accreditation from CCNE. </li><li><b>Program reputation:</b> Each program should have experienced faculty, solid training options at healthcare facilities, and a variety of important nursing courses in its curriculum. </li><li><b>Program length:</b> These rankings identify the fastest nursing programs, which take less than two years to complete for full-time students. </li></ul><h2 id="section---FAQsAboutTheFastestWayToFinishNursingSchoolInNorthCarolina">FAQs About the Fastest Way To Finish Nursing School in North Carolina</h2><p>Check out these frequently asked questions (FAQs) for fast-track nursing programs. This section discusses topics related to program length and degree costs. </p><h3 id="section---HowLongIsNursingSchool">How Long Is Nursing School?</h3><p>Program length depends on the credential and program type you select. A standard LPN, LVN, or RN program might take two years to complete, whereas accelerated formats could reduce that to a single year of fast-paced learning. The BSN degree normally takes four years to complete after graduating high school, but the fastest bridge programs let you finish within a year or two if you've already completed nursing prerequisites. </p><h3 id="section---HowMuchDoesANursingDegreeCost">How Much Does a Nursing Degree Cost?</h3><p>Even a fast-track program may cost over $10,000 in tuition alone, so it's important to obtain financial aid to offset some expenses. You should start by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Fortunately, there are several <a href="https://learn.org/articles/online_colleges_accept_fafsa_north_carolina.html">cheap online colleges that accept FAFSA</a>, including reputable nursing programs. </p><p>Be aware that there are several other miscellaneous expenses involved in nursing education. You should budget for textbooks and equipment, including a reliable computer for online coursework. We recommend searching for the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/best_laptops_nursing_students.html">best laptops for nursing students</a> who enroll in online education. </p><h3 id="section---CanYouBecomeAnRNInOneYear">Can You Become an RN in One Year?</h3><p>Yes, if you enroll in a reputable accelerated program, such as an LPN-to-RN program, it is possible to finish school within a year. Keep in mind that this approach typically works best for experienced healthcare professionals who have already completed the necessary academic prerequisites and competencies. Also, you cannot accomplish this by only attending school part-time. </p><h2 id="section---FindAnOnlineNursingDegree">Find an Online Nursing Degree</h2><p>We invite you to use our website to find everything you need related to online nursing degree programs. Learn.org has a plethora of resources for accelerated BSN degrees, ADN programs, APRN programs, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs, and more.</p>