How to Become a Registered Nurse

Nursing is one of the most respected careers out there, and one of the hardest to picture from the outside. If you're searching for how to become a registered nurse, you've probably run into a pile of conflicting advice about degrees, exams, and licenses, and it's hard to know where to begin. InsiderRN was built for nursing students and new grads, and everything we do starts from this same point: the moment you decide you want to be a nurse.

This guide walks through the full path to an RN license in the United States: the education options, the licensing exam, how long it takes, and what happens once you pass. It keeps things practical, so you can see the whole road before you take the first step.

The Short Answer (TL;DR)

To become a registered nurse (RN) in the U.S., you complete an approved nursing program, pass the NCLEX licensing exam, and get licensed by your state's board of nursing. The program can be a bachelor's degree, an associate degree, or a hospital-based diploma. Everything else, from prerequisites to your first job, builds around those three requirements.

Step 1: Choose Your Education Path

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses usually follow one of three education paths, which you can read about in the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for registered nurses:

• A bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN)
• An associate degree in nursing (ADN or ASN)
• A diploma from an approved nursing program

A BSN typically takes about four years, and diploma programs, which are usually run by hospitals or medical centers, take roughly two to three years. Associate degree programs are often offered at community colleges and are generally shorter than a bachelor's program, though the exact length depends on the school. All three paths include supervised clinical experience, which is where you practice real patient care before you graduate.

If you already hold a bachelor's degree in another field, accelerated nursing programs exist for exactly that situation. And if you start with an associate degree or diploma, you can come back later for an RN-to-BSN program while working.

Step 2: Get Into a Nursing Program

Admission requirements vary a lot from school to school, so check each program directly. Many programs ask for prerequisite science courses such as anatomy and microbiology, a minimum GPA, and sometimes an entrance exam or application essay. Some are competitive, with more applicants than seats, so it helps to apply to more than one.

Two details are worth confirming before you commit. First, make sure the program is approved by your state, since you can't sit for the licensing exam without graduating from an approved one. Second, ask about the program's clinical placements and how they're scheduled, because those hours will shape much of your experience.

Step 3: Complete Your Coursework and Clinical Hours

Nursing coursework usually covers anatomy, physiology, microbiology, psychology, and the social and behavioral sciences, alongside nursing-specific classes. Bachelor's programs often add communication, leadership, and critical thinking.

The clinical side is where nursing starts to feel real. You'll spend time in hospitals and other care settings, working with patients under supervision. Treat these rotations as more than a requirement. They're how you discover which kinds of units you enjoy, and later they become the experience you'll talk about in job applications.

Step 4: Apply for Your License and Take the NCLEX

After you graduate from an approved program, you apply to your state's board of nursing for licensure, and you take the National Council Licensure Examination, known as the NCLEX. Licensing requirements beyond the exam, such as a criminal background check, vary by state, so your state board's website is the place to confirm the details.

The NCLEX is the exam that stands between you and your license, so it deserves a plan. Give yourself enough time to prepare, and use the study resources your school offers. Many new grads apply for jobs while they're waiting to test, and employers understand that timing.

Step 5: Earn Your Certifications and Start Applying

Once you're licensed, you're a registered nurse. Most RNs also need a few additional credentials to get hired. Many nursing positions require CPR, basic life support (BLS), or sometimes advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification. Specialty certifications are usually voluntary, though some employers prefer or require them, and you can earn them later as your career develops.

This is also the moment to start thinking about where you want to begin. Most registered nurses start out as staff nurses in hospitals or community health settings, and hospitals employ the largest share of RNs.

ADN or BSN: Which Path Is Better?

Both lead to the same license, and graduates of any of the three program types can qualify for entry-level staff nurse jobs. That said, the trend favors the bachelor's degree. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports in its Nursing Workforce Fact Sheet that most RNs enter practice with either a bachelor's degree or an associate degree, and that as of 2024, 72.9 percent of the RN workforce held a bachelor's or higher as their highest nursing degree.

Hospitals in particular may prefer or require a bachelor's degree, so a BSN can open more doors. Hospitals that hold ANCC Magnet designation may have internal requirements for a certain percentage of their RNs to hold a bachelor's degree. These hospitals tend to focus on professional development for nurses and encourage you to earn your BSN if you're hired with an ADN or a nursing diploma.

On the other hand, an ADN can get you into the workforce sooner and often costs less up front, and the RN-to-BSN route lets you add the degree later, sometimes with help from an employer. The right choice depends on your finances, your timeline, and the kind of job you want.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Registered Nurse?

For most people, it takes somewhere between two and four years of nursing education, plus the time to apply for your license and pass the NCLEX. A bachelor's degree is on the longer end, while diploma and associate programs are usually shorter. If you're also completing prerequisites first, add that time to your plan. Accelerated programs for people who already hold a degree can shorten the nursing portion, though they're intense.

Do You Need Healthcare Experience Before Nursing School?

Usually no work experience is required. That said, many applicants find it helpful to get a little exposure first, whether through volunteering, shadowing, or working as a nursing assistant or patient care technician. It can confirm that nursing is right for you, and it gives you something real to talk about in your application process.

Can You Become an RN Online?

Partly. Some programs offer coursework online, which can help if you're balancing work or family. But every approved program includes supervised clinical experience, and that hands-on training happens in real care settings, not on a screen. If a program claims to be entirely online with no clinical component, treat it as a red flag, since it may not qualify you for licensure. Always confirm a program's approval with your state before you enroll.

How Do You Pay for Nursing School?

Cost is a real concern, and it's worth planning early. Start by talking to the financial aid office at any school you're considering, and look into scholarships, grants, and federal aid. Community college associate programs are often a lower-cost way to begin, and some students finish a bachelor's later through an RN-to-BSN program. Some employers also offer tuition reimbursement, which is one way nurses fund further education, so it's worth asking about during your job search.

Qualities That Help You Succeed as an RN

Nursing school teaches knowledge, but a few personal strengths make the work easier. Skills like critical thinking, communication, compassion, attention to detail, emotional stability, organization, and physical stamina are among the qualities that matter. You don't need all of them on day one. Most nurses build them over time, and the first year of practice teaches a great deal.

What Does an RN Earn, and Is the Job Market Strong?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for registered nurses was $97,550 in May 2025, and employment is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, which is faster than the average for all occupations. Pay varies by employer, setting, experience, and location, so treat the median as a starting point, not a promise. It's also worth knowing that hospital nurses often work shifts that include nights, weekends, and holidays, while nurses in offices and schools usually keep more regular hours.

What Happens After You Pass the NCLEX?

Most guides stop at the license, but this is where many new nurses feel the most lost. Passing the exam gets you the credential. It doesn't teach you how to choose a hospital, evaluate a unit, or handle your first interview. Those decisions shape your first year far more than most people expect, and nursing school rarely covers them.

That gap is why InsiderRN exists. Steph, PhD, MSN, RN, has spent more than 20 years in nursing and has hired hundreds of nurses, and her co-founder Maddie is a new grad RN who is living this transition right now. You can learn more about both of them on our About page.

If you're nearing graduation, Set 01 inside InsiderRN, "Before the Badge," focuses on landing the right first job, and it's included in our membership plans for students and new grad nurses who want guidance that goes beyond what a blog post can offer.

Do You Have to Choose a Specialty Right Away?

No. You don't need to know your specialty before you start nursing school, or even before your first job. Your clinical rotations will expose you to different units, and many nurses change their minds once they see the work up close. After you're licensed, the path can branch in many directions, from bedside care to education, leadership, or advanced practice roles that require further degrees. For now, the goal is simply to earn your license and learn as much as you can along the way.

Mistakes to Avoid Along the Way

A few missteps are easy to prevent. Choosing a program without confirming that your state approves it can create serious problems at licensing time. Waiting until graduation to think about jobs leaves you scrambling, so start networking and researching units during your clinicals. Assuming the exam is the finish line can also catch people off guard, since the first year of practice brings its own learning curve. And comparing your path to someone else's can be discouraging. A longer route, like starting with an associate degree and finishing a bachelor's later, is just as valid.

Where to Go From Here

Learning how to become a registered nurse comes down to a clear sequence: choose a program, get in, complete your clinicals, pass the NCLEX, and get licensed. None of it is easy, but all of it is doable, and thousands of people complete the same path every year.

If you're still deciding which route fits your life, or you're close to graduating and want to talk about what comes next, reach out through our contact page and we'll point you in the right direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become a registered nurse?

Most people spend about two to four years in a nursing program, depending on the path they choose. A bachelor's degree typically takes about four years, while diploma and associate programs are usually shorter. You'll also need time to apply for your license and pass the NCLEX.

Do you need a bachelor's degree to become an RN?

No. You can become an RN with a bachelor's degree, an associate degree, or a hospital diploma. Some employers, especially hospitals, may prefer or require a bachelor's degree, and you can complete an RN-to-BSN program later (sometimes paid for by your hospital or health system).

What is the NCLEX?

It's the National Council Licensure Examination, the exam you must pass to become a licensed registered nurse. You take it after graduating from an approved nursing program and applying to your state's board of nursing.

Can you become a registered nurse if you already have a degree in another field?

Yes. Accelerated nursing programs are designed for people who already hold a bachelor's degree in another subject and want to move into nursing.

What do you do after you become a registered nurse?

Most RNs begin as staff nurses in hospitals or community health settings. Many new nurses also earn certifications such as BLS and later specialize or pursue advanced degrees as their careers grow.