Education Pathways to Becoming an RN
Becoming an rn typically requires completing an accredited nursing program and passing a national licensing exam. The three main educational routes are the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and accelerated BSN programs for career changers with a prior bachelor's degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses held about 3.1 million jobs in 2023, making it one of the largest healthcare occupations.
ADN programs usually take two to three years at community colleges, while traditional BSN programs take four years at universities. Accelerated BSN programs, such as those offered by institutions like Duke University and Vanderbilt University, can be completed in 12 to 18 months for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field. Many hospitals, including those within the Mayo Clinic Health System and Kaiser Permanente networks, increasingly prefer or require a BSN for new hires.
Licensing, Exams, and Certification Requirements
After graduating from an accredited program, candidates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to obtain a state license. The NCLEX-RN is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories require passing this exam for licensure. Each state board of nursing sets additional requirements, such as background checks and clinical hour minimums.
Beyond the NCLEX-RN, some RNs pursue specialty certifications through organizations like the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). Common specialties include medical-surgical, pediatric, critical care, and oncology nursing. Certification is often preferred or required by employers such as HCA Healthcare and CommonSpirit Health for certain units and roles.
Job Outlook, Salary Data, and Top Hiring Employers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of registered nurses to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations, with approximately 193,100 openings per year. The median annual wage for registered nurses was $81,220 in May 2023, according to BLS data, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $120,250.
Major employers of registered nurses include the U.S. government (such as the Department of Veterans Affairs), HCA Healthcare, UnitedHealth Group's Optum division, and large academic medical centers like Johns Hopkins Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital. Remote and telehealth nursing roles are also expanding, with companies like Teladoc Health and American Mobile Healthcare offering positions that allow RNs to provide virtual patient care across state lines, often requiring an active RN license in the patient's state.