Healthcare
How to become a Registered Nurse
Provides and coordinates direct patient care, and can administer medication and treatments an LPN cannot. From LPN or no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.
- Time to get there
- 2–4 years
- Typical pay
- $70k–$95k
- Starting from
- LPN or no experience
Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from LPN or no experience and includes any licence or programme legally required, not just course length.
Commonly asked for
- Associate or bachelor's degree in nursing required, no way around this one
- Many hospitals now prefer or require a BSN specifically
- NCLEX-RN licence required to practise in every state
The route
Choose ADN or BSN
ADN is two years and faster to the floor; BSN is four and required by many hospitals.
Typical titles at this level
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Patient Care Technician
Complete clinical rotations
Built into the degree — this is where you find the speciality you want.
Pass the NCLEX-RN
The gate. Pass rates are much better with structured prep than self-study.
Course that covers thisAce the NCLEX-RN Exam: Your Complete Prep CourseUdemy · around $19.99Get licensed in your state
Some states share a compact licence that lets you work across several.
- Browse jobs now
Destination
Registered Nurse
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