How to become a registered nurse (RN)
The two school routes, the NCLEX-RN, getting licensed, and what your first job search looks like.
Pick a school route
There are two common ways in. An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) usually takes about two years at a community college. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) usually takes four years, or 12 to 18 months as an “accelerated” program if you already have a bachelor’s in something else. Both let you sit the same licensing exam.
Many hospitals prefer or require a BSN, especially for new grads. Home health, clinics and long-term care are often more open to ADN nurses, and plenty of nurses start with an ADN and finish an RN-to-BSN online while working.
Pass the NCLEX-RN
After graduating you take the NCLEX-RN, the national licensing exam run by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). You register with your state board of nursing, then book the test.
Get your licence
Your state board issues the licence. If you live in a Nurse Licensure Compact state, you can get a multistate licence that lets you work in other compact states too, which matters for travel and telehealth jobs. Check NCSBN’s current compact map for your state.
Land the first job
Look for “new grad” or “residency” roles: they come with structured training and a preceptor. Home health agencies hire new grads too, often with paid orientation. The national median RN wage is $45.00/hr ($93,600/yr).
General information, not legal or licensing advice. Requirements change; your state board of nursing has the final word. Pay figures: BLS OEWS May 2024 national medians.