How To Become A Registered Nurse: Steps, Time, Cost And First Jobs

You need to graduate from an approved nursing program, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics says graduates of all three program types qualify for entry-level jobs. Every program combines science coursework with supervised clinical experience in a healthcare setting.

Diploma programs are run by hospitals or medical centers, and there are far fewer of them than ADN and BSN programs. Licensed practical nurses can also move up through an LPN-to-RN program.

Both degrees lead to the same NCLEX-RN exam and the same license. The difference is length, depth and how some employers view them.

This is how to become an RN without a BSN: finish an ADN, get licensed and start working. Many nurses then complete an RN-to-BSN program while they work.

The NCLEX-RN is the National Council Licensure Examination, overseen by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Passing it is required for an RN license in every state.

You apply to your state board of nursing first, then register for the exam with Pearson VUE. Once the board confirms you are eligible, you receive an Authorization to Test, and only then can you book an exam appointment.

You get a license from the board of nursing in the state where you will work, after you graduate and pass the NCLEX-RN. Other requirements, such as a criminal background check, vary by state, so check your board's own list.

If your legal home is in a Nurse Licensure Compact state, you can hold a multistate license that lets you practice in other compact states without extra licenses. If you live in a noncompact state, you hold a single-state license and need a separate license for each state where you work.

It depends on the program. Check each ADN or diploma program's published length and its prerequisites, because courses you must finish before you start count toward the total time.

The fastest route depends on where you start. If you already hold a degree in another field, the BLS notes that accelerated nursing programs exist for people in your position, which is how to become a registered nurse with a bachelor's degree in something else.

If you are already a licensed practical nurse, an LPN-to-RN program builds on what you know. Applying to your board of nursing as soon as you are allowed also keeps the licensing step short.

Not entirely. Even where a school offers some coursework online, every approved program includes supervised clinical experience, which takes place in person in hospitals and other healthcare settings.

A nurse residency program is structured onboarding for newly licensed nurses, with a preceptor and planned learning on the job. The NCSBN calls this transition to practice and recommends programs last at least six months, with support from the employer for a year.

Some hospitals hire new graduates straight into intensive care, usually through a residency with extra training. Search for ICU new grad or critical care residency and read each posting for the training it includes.

It depends on your area and how flexible you are on shifts and settings. Applying broadly, including to long-term care, clinics and night shifts, widens your options while you build experience.

New graduates usually start toward the lower end of the advertised range for registered nurses and move up with experience. Compare offers on the registered nurse salary page, or see a state such as registered nurse salary in California or Texas.

Many postings list an hourly rate. Use the hourly to salary calculator to convert an hourly RN rate to annual pay.

Travel nurses do the same clinical work as staff RNs, but on short-term assignments away from home. The BLS notes that some nurses travel to care for patients in places where there are not enough healthcare workers.

• An active RN license that is valid where the assignment is
• Recent experience in the specialty the assignment asks for
• Any certifications the employer lists, such as CPR or advanced life support

A multistate license under the Nurse Licensure Compact makes it easier to work in other compact states. It is issued by your primary state of residence, so your legal home must be in a compact state.

Travel nurse pay is set per contract, so it changes with location, specialty and how urgently a facility needs staff. The table below shows advertised pay for travel and staff roles side by side.

Comparing travel nurse salary vs regular nurse pay is not exact, because contracts may also include housing or stipends. Read what each offer includes before you compare the hourly rate.