Education Pathways to Become a Registered Nurse
To become a registered nurse, candidates typically complete an accredited nursing program and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. The three main educational tracks are the Associate Degree in Nursing, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and approved diploma programs from hospitals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for registered nurses was $81,220 in May 2023, and employment is projected to grow 6 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations Bureau of Labor Statistics Registered Nurses Outlook.
Most RNs enter the profession with an ADN or BSN, but the industry trend favors the Bachelor of Science in Nursing for leadership and specialty roles. Many hospitals and health systems now require or strongly prefer a BSN for new hires, a movement supported by initiatives such as the Campaign for Action, which aims to increase the proportion of nurses with a bachelor's degree to 80 percent by 2025 AACN BSN Preference Data.
Degree Requirements, Accreditation, and Licensure
All states require RNs to graduate from an accredited nursing program and obtain a license. Accreditation is granted by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Prerequisites for most programs include coursework in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and microbiology, and many schools use a competitive GPA and entrance exam process American Nurses Association Accreditation Overview.
After completing an approved program, graduates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, a computerized adaptive test that evaluates readiness for entry-level practice. The exam covers safe and effective care environments, health promotion and maintenance, psychosocial integrity, and physiological integrity. Candidates can apply for licensure through their state board of nursing, and some states participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact, allowing practice in multiple states with one license NCLEX-RN Exam Details.
Costs, Timeline, and Career Outcomes for RNs
An Associate Degree in Nursing typically takes two to three years and costs between $6,000 and $40,000 at public community colleges, while a Bachelor of Science in Nursing usually requires four years and costs from $20,000 to over $100,000 at private universities. Accelerated BSN programs for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field can be completed in 12 to 18 months, and many schools offer hybrid or online didactic coursework with in-person clinical placements Forbes Guide to Becoming a Registered Nurse.
Registered nurses work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, physicians' offices, home healthcare, and nursing care facilities, with the largest employers being general medical and surgical hospitals. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 193,100 openings for registered nurses each year, on average, over the decade, driven by retirements and the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations. Advanced practice roles, such as nurse practitioners, require additional education beyond the RN level, typically a Master of Science in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice