How to become a registered nurse

Reviewed by Keegan, RN · ER & NICU travel nurse

Updated June 19, 2026

Becoming a registered nurse comes down to three things: graduate from an approved nursing program, pass the NCLEX-RN, and get licensed by your state. There is more than one route in, from a two-year ADN to a four-year BSN to a fast-track accelerated degree. Here is the full roadmap, the honest truth about ADN versus BSN, and how long each path takes.

The roadmap, step by step

Choose a nursing program

Pick a route that fits your starting point: an ADN at a community college, a four-year BSN, an accelerated BSN if you already hold a bachelor's, or an LPN-to-RN bridge if you are already a practical nurse. Make sure the program is approved by your state board of nursing and accredited.

Graduate from your program

Complete the coursework and supervised clinical hours. Whichever route you choose, graduation from an approved program is what makes you eligible to sit for the licensing exam.

Pass the NCLEX-RN

Take the NCLEX-RN, the single national licensing exam every RN candidate must pass. It is the same exam whether you hold an ADN or a BSN; programs differ in pass rates, not in which exam or license you earn.

Apply for your state license

Apply to your state board of nursing for licensure by examination. You submit proof of completing an approved program, pass the NCLEX, and meet your state's requirements. The exam is national, but your license is granted by the state.

Start practicing, and consider a BSN later

Once licensed you can work as an RN. If you started with an ADN, an RN-to-BSN bridge lets you earn a bachelor's later, often online while working, which many employers increasingly prefer.

Path confirmed against the NCSBN (NCLEX) and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Your route options

Every route below leads to the same NCLEX-RN and the same RN license. Pick the one that matches your starting point and timeline.

Route	Typical time
ADN (associate degree, community college)	About 2 to 3 years
BSN (bachelor's degree)	About 4 years
Accelerated BSN (you already hold a bachelor's)	About 12 to 18 months
LPN/LVN-to-RN bridge	About 1 to 2 years
Diploma program (now rare)	About 2 to 3 years

Typical durations, not guarantees. Prerequisites, waitlists, and part-time study change the timeline, which also varies by program and state.

ADN vs BSN: the honest truth

Both an ADN and a BSN make you a licensed RN through the same exam and the same license. There is no universal law requiring a BSN to be an RN. What is true is that many employers, especially acute-care and Magnet hospitals, increasingly prefer or requirea BSN, a trend that traces to the 2010 Institute of Medicine recommendation that 80% of the nursing workforce hold a bachelor's. The practical takeaway: an ADN gets you licensed and working sooner and for less money, and an RN-to-BSN bridge lets you upgrade later, often online while you work.

Pay and job outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual wage of $93,600 for registered nurses (May 2024), with the lowest 10% earning under $66,030 and the highest 10% over $135,320. Employment is projected to grow about 5% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. Pay varies widely by state, setting, and experience.

General educational information, not academic or career advice. Program approval, eligibility, and timelines vary by state and program and change over time. Confirm current requirements with your target program and your state board of nursing.

Becoming an RN FAQ

How long does it take to become a registered nurse?: It depends on the route: about 2 to 3 years for an ADN, about 4 years for a BSN, and about 12 to 18 months for an accelerated BSN if you already hold a bachelor's in another field. After graduation, the NCLEX and state licensure add a few weeks. An LPN-to-RN bridge typically runs about 1 to 2 years.
Do I need a BSN to become an RN, or is an ADN enough?: An ADN is enough to become a licensed RN. ADN and BSN graduates take the same NCLEX-RN and earn the same RN license; there is no universal legal requirement to hold a BSN. That said, many employers, especially acute-care and Magnet hospitals, increasingly prefer or require a BSN, and you can earn one later through an RN-to-BSN bridge. The BSN is an employer and market preference, not a licensure rule.
What is the NCLEX-RN?: The NCLEX-RN is the national licensing examination, developed by the NCSBN and used by every U.S. state board of nursing. All RN candidates must pass it for licensure by examination. You apply to a state board, receive authorization to test, then schedule and sit the exam.
Does my nursing program need to be accredited?: Your program must be approved by your state board of nursing to make you eligible for licensure, and attending an accredited program (ACEN accredits all levels; CCNE accredits bachelor's and graduate programs) supports both eligibility and your later options, like RN-to-BSN or graduate admission. Confirm a program is both board-approved and accredited before you enroll.
How much do registered nurses make?: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual wage of $93,600 for registered nurses (May 2024), with the lowest 10% under $66,030 and the highest 10% over $135,320. Employment is projected to grow about 5% from 2024 to 2034. Pay varies by state, setting, and experience.

Once you are a nurse

New grad hub: your first license and first job

Where nursing can take you: career guides

License renewal and CE by state

Once you pass the NCLEX, we have got the rest

The day you get licensed, the renewal clock starts. RenewRN tracks your license renewal date and CE so nothing lapses, free, so your very first renewal is the easy one. Bookmark it for when you are licensed.

Start Tracking · Free

How to become a registered nurse

Reviewed by Keegan, RN · ER & NICU travel nurse

Updated June 19, 2026

The roadmap, step by step

Choose a nursing program

Graduate from your program

Complete the coursework and supervised clinical hours. Whichever route you choose, graduation from an approved program is what makes you eligible to sit for the licensing exam.

Pass the NCLEX-RN

Apply for your state license

Start practicing, and consider a BSN later

Once licensed you can work as an RN. If you started with an ADN, an RN-to-BSN bridge lets you earn a bachelor's later, often online while working, which many employers increasingly prefer.

Your route options

Every route below leads to the same NCLEX-RN and the same RN license. Pick the one that matches your starting point and timeline.

Route	Typical time
ADN (associate degree, community college)	About 2 to 3 years
BSN (bachelor's degree)	About 4 years
Accelerated BSN (you already hold a bachelor's)	About 12 to 18 months
LPN/LVN-to-RN bridge	About 1 to 2 years
Diploma program (now rare)	About 2 to 3 years

Typical durations, not guarantees. Prerequisites, waitlists, and part-time study change the timeline, which also varies by program and state.

ADN vs BSN: the honest truth

Pay and job outlook

Becoming an RN FAQ

How long does it take to become a registered nurse?

It depends on the route: about 2 to 3 years for an ADN, about 4 years for a BSN, and about 12 to 18 months for an accelerated BSN if you already hold a bachelor's in another field. After graduation, the NCLEX and state licensure add a few weeks. An LPN-to-RN bridge typically runs about 1 to 2 years.

Do I need a BSN to become an RN, or is an ADN enough?

An ADN is enough to become a licensed RN. ADN and BSN graduates take the same NCLEX-RN and earn the same RN license; there is no universal legal requirement to hold a BSN. That said, many employers, especially acute-care and Magnet hospitals, increasingly prefer or require a BSN, and you can earn one later through an RN-to-BSN bridge. The BSN is an employer and market preference, not a licensure rule.

What is the NCLEX-RN?

The NCLEX-RN is the national licensing examination, developed by the NCSBN and used by every U.S. state board of nursing. All RN candidates must pass it for licensure by examination. You apply to a state board, receive authorization to test, then schedule and sit the exam.

Does my nursing program need to be accredited?

Your program must be approved by your state board of nursing to make you eligible for licensure, and attending an accredited program (ACEN accredits all levels; CCNE accredits bachelor's and graduate programs) supports both eligibility and your later options, like RN-to-BSN or graduate admission. Confirm a program is both board-approved and accredited before you enroll.

How much do registered nurses make?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual wage of $93,600 for registered nurses (May 2024), with the lowest 10% under $66,030 and the highest 10% over $135,320. Employment is projected to grow about 5% from 2024 to 2034. Pay varies by state, setting, and experience.