Nursing stands out as a trusted and high-demand career in healthcare. If you’re thinking about how to become a registered nurse, expect a clear path that takes real dedication. From choosing the right educational path to passing the licensing exam, every step matters. Whether you’re a high school student exploring careers or someone considering a career change, this guide breaks it down for you.
Why Become a Registered Nurse?
Before getting into how to become a RN, it helps to know why nursing is such a popular career. First, there’s strong demand, nursing jobs are expected to grow about 6% through 2033, which means steady work and plenty of opportunities. The pay’s solid too, with an average salary around $93,600 a year, and room to earn more based on where you work and your specialty.
Nurses also have a lot of flexibility. You can work in hospitals, schools, the government, the military, or even remotely. But more than anything, people choose nursing because it matters. You’re helping others every day, and that kind of impact is hard to find in most jobs.
Steps to Become a Registered Nurse
Becoming a registered nurse requires careful planning and dedication. These steps will help you navigate the path to earning your RN license.
Step 1: Understand the RN Requirements
To start, you need to meet some basic RN requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- Clean background check
- Physical and mental health fitness
- Legal right to work in the U.S. (for licensure)
Some nursing programs may also require certain high school courses, like biology, chemistry, and math. You’ll also need solid communication skills and the ability to handle emotional pressure.
Step 2: Choose the Right Nursing Education Path
There are three main educational paths that lead to becoming a registered nurse. It all comes down to your goals, how fast you want to start working, and what you can spend on school.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- Takes 18 to 24 months
- Offered at community colleges and some universities
- Most affordable option
- Prepares you to take the NCLEX-RN exam
This is a good route if you want to enter the workforce quickly or if you’re planning to work while earning your bachelor’s degree later.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Takes 3 to 4 years (or less with accelerated programs)
- Offered at colleges and universities
- Preferred by many hospitals and employers
- Includes leadership, research, and public health courses
A BSN opens more doors, including supervisory roles, specialties, and higher pay.
Direct Entry or Accelerated BSN Programs
- Designed for those with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree
- Usually 12 to 18 months of full-time study
- Intense, fast-paced curriculum
These are ideal if you’re changing careers and already hold a degree in another field.
Step 3: Get Clinical Experience
All RN programs include real-world experience through clinical rotations, where you practice skills in actual healthcare settings. You’ll work under supervision in hospitals, clinics, or long-term care facilities.
This is where you put classroom learning into action, doing patient assessments, giving meds, caring for wounds, and communicating with both patients and medical staff.
You’ll rotate through different specialties, like pediatrics, psych, emergency, or surgery, which helps you figure out your interests early on.
Step 4: Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam
After completing your nursing program, you’ll need to pass the NCLEX-RN, an exam required in every state and overseen by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
The exam tests you on:
- Safe and effective care
- Health promotion and maintenance
- Psychosocial integrity
- Physiological integrity
The NCLEX-RN is a computer-adaptive test, so the difficulty adjusts based on your answers. You’ll have up to five hours to finish it.
Most students take a review course or practice with online test banks before sitting the exam.
Step 5: Apply for Your RN License
Once you pass the NCLEX-RN, the next move is applying for your license through your state’s board of nursing. The process may vary slightly by state, but generally includes:
- Submitting an application
- Providing proof of education
- Paying a fee
- Background check/fingerprinting
This is how to get your RN license officially. After you’re approved, you can officially start working as a registered nurse in your state.
Some states are part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows you to work in multiple states with one license.
Step 6: Get Your First Nursing Job
Now that you’re licensed, it’s time to enter the workforce.
You can apply to:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Long-term care facilities
- Rehabilitation centers
- Schools
- Public health departments
Most employers will support continuing education and offer a structured orientation program for new grads.
Consider applying for nurse residency programs. These are paid, post-graduate training opportunities that help you transition into full-time nursing with extra support.
Step 7: Keep Your License Active
Getting licensed is just the start. To stay current, you’ll need to:
- Renew your RN license every 1 to 4 years (depending on your state)
- Complete continuing education (often around 20–30 hours per cycle)
- Keep up with CPR/BLS certifications
Failing to meet these requirements could lead to license suspension or revocation.
Step 8: Advance Your Career
Once you’re working as an RN, you can grow your career by:
Earning Certifications
Specializing in areas like:
- Critical care (CCRN)
- Pediatrics (CPN)
- Oncology (OCN)
- Emergency nursing (CEN)
These certifications boost your credibility and pay.
Pursuing Higher Education
Go back for a:
- Bachelor’s (if you started with an ADN)
- Master’s (to become a Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, etc.)
- Doctorate (for advanced research or executive roles)
More education usually means more responsibility and higher income.
Registered Nurses Drive Change Beyond the Bedside
Looking ahead, becoming a registered nurse puts you at the crossroads of healthcare’s biggest changes. With technology evolving fast and patient needs growing more complex, nurses aren’t just caregivers; they’re problem solvers, innovators, and advocates shaping the future of medicine.
This career invites you to be part of a larger movement, pushing healthcare to become more compassionate, efficient, and accessible. If you’re willing to embrace constant learning and step up when it counts, nursing offers a unique chance to influence how care is delivered, not just today, but for generations to come.