How to become a registered nurse in Alabama – RN in Alabama

The mission of the Alabama Board of Nursing is to safeguard and promote the health, safety and welfare of the public through licensing and approval of qualified individuals and adopting and enforcing legal standards for nursing education and nursing practice.

The Alabama Board of Nursing strives to promote and safeguard the health of the public through regulatory excellence.

Official website: https://www.abn.alabama.gov

Steps to Become a Registered Nurse in Alabama

1. Take college prep classes in high school:

In addition to a U.S. high school education or the equivalent, to become a registered nurse (RN) in Alabama you should take the following classes in high school and you will have a head start on your nursing class prerequisites at college:
– English – 4 years
– Math – 3-4 years (including algebra and geometry)
– Science – 2-4 years (including biology and chemistry; physics and computer science are recommended)
– Social Studies – 3-4 years
– Foreign Language – 2 years

Check out nursing prerequisites at colleges you are considering. Individual nursing schools vary in their nursing course prerequisites. Talk to your high school guidance counselor and check out the nursing schools you are considering.

2. Choose the type of nursing school you want to attend

Usually there are three types of pre-licensure nursing programs:

– Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) – Takes 2-3 years. Offered at many community colleges. Prepares you to provide registered nursing care in numerous settings.
– Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – Takes 4 years. Also referred to as Baccalaureate degree. Offered at many State Universities and some private colleges. Prepares you to provide registered nursing care in numerous settings and to move to administrative and leadership positions.
– Entry Level Masters Program in Nursing (ELM) – Designed for adults who have a baccalaureate degree in another field and wish to become registered nurses. Takes 1-2 years depending on how many nursing course prerequisites you have already completed. Graduate receives a masters degree.

3. Select a college and apply for admission

Visit the website’s and campuses of the colleges in the geographic areas of interest to you. Find out which entry exams are required at the colleges you are considering. Apply at more than one college to give yourself options. Many colleges have limited space for nursing students.


Approved RN Programs list in Alabama: https://www.abn.alabama.gov/Content.aspx?id=197

4. Apply for financial aid

Opportunities abound for scholarships, loans and loan forgiveness programs.

5. Obtain an RN license

To practice as an RN in Alabama, you must be licensed by the Alabama Board of Nursing. You must meet educational requirements, pass a criminal background check and pass the national licensing examination.

To apply for licensure: https://www.abn.alabama.gov/abnonline/Examination.aspx

To register for the NCLEX exam please visit: https://portal.ncsbn.org/