How to Become a Registered Nurse: Step by Step

A clear, step-by-step roadmap to the RN path in the U.S. — from choosing a nursing program to passing the NCLEX-RN and getting licensed.

Reviewed by the Pop Nursing editorial team · Updated June 2026

What a Registered Nurse Is (and the Big Picture)

A registered nurse (RN) is a licensed healthcare professional who assesses patients, administers medications and treatments, coordinates care with the broader medical team, and educates patients and families. RNs work in many settings — hospitals, clinics, schools, home health, long-term care, and more — and the day-to-day work varies a lot by specialty and employer.

Becoming an RN in the United States generally comes down to three core steps: complete a nursing program approved by your state board of nursing, pass the NCLEX-RN licensure exam, and apply for a license through your state board. The details — admission requirements, costs, timelines, and paperwork — typically vary by school and state, so always confirm specifics with the programs and the board where you plan to practice.

Step 1: Choose Your Education Path

There are three common routes to becoming an RN. Each one prepares you to sit for the same national licensure exam, but they differ in length, depth, and how employers may view them.

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): Often offered at community colleges and typically takes about two years. This is frequently the fastest and lowest-cost route into RN practice.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): Typically about four years and includes more nursing coursework plus broader general education. Many employers — particularly larger hospitals and Magnet-designated facilities — often prefer or require a BSN, and some RNs later complete an RN-to-BSN bridge program.
• Hospital diploma program: A smaller number of hospitals still offer diploma programs, which are also an accepted pathway in many states.

Whichever route you choose, it is important to attend a program that is approved by your state board of nursing and, ideally, accredited. Eligibility to take the licensure exam often depends on graduating from an approved program, so verify a program's status before you enroll. Admission requirements, prerequisite courses, waitlists, and clinical-hour expectations vary by school.

Step 2: Complete Your Nursing Program

Nursing programs combine classroom coursework (anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, nursing fundamentals, and more) with supervised clinical rotations in real healthcare settings. Clinical hours are where you practice patient care under supervision, and the number and structure of these hours can vary by program and state.

While you are enrolled, it helps to track your grades, stay on top of prerequisites, and start getting familiar with the kind of clinical-reasoning questions the licensure exam emphasizes. Many students begin light NCLEX-style review well before graduation rather than waiting until the end.

Step 3: Apply for Licensure and Authorization to Test

After (or near) graduation, you apply for licensure through the board of nursing in the state where you want to practice and register for the NCLEX-RN. Common requirements often include proof of graduation from an approved program, an application fee, a criminal background check, and fingerprinting — but the exact steps, documents, and fees vary by state.

Once your application is approved, you typically receive an Authorization to Test (ATT), which lets you schedule your exam. Some states participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact, which can allow a multistate license, but rules differ, so check your specific state board's current requirements.

Step 4: Pass the NCLEX-RN

The NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) is the national exam every aspiring RN must pass to become licensed. Since April 1, 2023, it has used the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) format, which adds case studies and newer item types designed to measure clinical judgment — your ability to assess a situation, recognize what's changing, and decide what to do.

The NCLEX is a computer-adaptive exam, meaning the questions adjust to your performance, and the number of questions you see can vary. The same exam is used across all 50 states, though your board of nursing handles eligibility and licensing. If you don't pass on the first attempt, candidates are typically allowed to retest after a waiting period under rules set by NCSBN and your state. Pass rates shift year to year and by program, so treat published rates as general context, not a prediction of your result.

Step 5: Start Your Career — and Keep Growing

Once you're licensed, you can apply for RN positions. Many new nurses begin in hospital units or residency programs that provide structured onboarding. Over time, RNs often pursue certifications, specialties (such as critical care, pediatrics, or oncology), or advanced degrees that can open additional roles.

For general context on the field, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual wage of about $93,600 for registered nurses in May 2024, with the lowest 10 percent earning under roughly $66,030 and the highest 10 percent earning more than about $135,320. Employment of RNs is projected to grow about 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, with roughly 189,100 openings projected each year on average over the decade. These are national figures — actual pay and job availability vary considerably by state, city, employer, experience, and specialty, and individual outcomes are never guaranteed.

This article is for general educational purposes only and is not admissions, career, financial, or medical advice. Program length, cost, accreditation, and licensing requirements vary by school and by state — always confirm details with the school and your state board of nursing.