Becoming a Registered Nurse: Education and Requirements

Embarking on a career in medicine as a Registered Nurse (RN) is a journey filled with both exhilarating opportunities and challenging obstacles. An RN is a licensed medical professional who works alongside doctors to provide hands-on care, patient education, and emotional support. Becoming an RN involves several key steps, and while the requirements are generally consistent across the country, the process can vary slightly depending on your location. This article outlines the key steps to becoming a Registered Nurse, guiding you through everything from selecting the right educational program to mastering the licensing process.

Educational Pathways to Becoming an RN

To become an RN, one must earn an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Registered nurses usually take one of three education paths: a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an associate’s degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. The length of a nursing education depends on which degree you pursue. Programs for licensed practical nurses (LPNs), for example, can last about 12-18 months. BSNs typically take four years to complete. ADNs fall in the middle, taking around two years to finish. These programs have distinct curriculums that prepare students for different nursing roles. There are far fewer diploma programs than there are BSN, ADN, and ASN programs.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Earning an ADN is a popular option-it’s the fastest path to becoming a registered nurse without any prior nursing education. An associate degree is a faster means to gain foundational knowledge and skills required of nursing. In two years, students log hours in the classroom and in clinical settings.

Admission requirements: In addition to a high school diploma or GED, most ADN programs require you to complete general education courses in biology, anatomy, physiology, chemistry, English and more before applying to the program.
Curriculum and skills learned: ADN programs consist of classes such as general nursing practice, healthcare policy, maternal nursing, pediatric nursing, mental health nursing, surgical nursing, ethics, skills labs and on-site clinical courses. Skills labs give students direct, tactile experience practicing patient care. On-site clinical courses allow students to use those skills in real patient settings.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

A bachelor’s degree offers a more comprehensive and advanced education, including classroom and clinical training. If you want a more comprehensive education that could open more doors in your nursing career, earning a BSN is another great option. These programs take longer to complete but give you a nursing education with greater breadth and depth than an ADN. BSN programs, like programs in some other healthcare and related fields, typically take 4 years to complete. In addition to science courses, bachelor's degree programs usually include education in communication, leadership, and critical thinking.

Admission requirements: Just like ADN programs, BSN programs require prospective students to complete certain prerequisite courses in relevant subjects.
Curriculum and skills learned: BSN programs cover the same topics as ADN programs, and then continue to build on that knowledge and skill. More advanced topics that you may learn from a BSN might include population health and nursing research. Some BSN programs also offer specializations as part of your degree.

Accelerated Programs

There are several different programs that give you a nursing education in less time than a traditional ADN or BSN.

Read also: Becoming a Psychiatric Nurse

LPN-to-RN bridge programs: These are intended for existing LPNs who wish to advance their career to become an RN. LPNs assist RNs and doctors with a variety of patient care duties. They’ve already completed an LPN educational program, which teaches them introductory nursing skills and topics and typically lasts about 12 months. Since both take into account the knowledge learned in an LPN program, they take less time to complete than a standalone ADN or BSN.
Paramedic-to-RN bridge programs: Paramedics are not nurses, but they do have experience treating people in emergencies and providing basic patient care. Paramedic-to-RN bridge programs prepare paramedics for a career in nursing while taking into account their existing medical knowledge. Like LPN-to-RN bridge programs, you can do either a Paramedic-to-ADN or Paramedic-to-BSN program.
Accelerated BSN (ABSN) degrees: ABSN degrees are intended for people who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field but want to make the switch to nursing. They have a rigorous, fast-paced curriculum that allows you to finish with a BSN in a fraction of the time, typically 1-2 years.

Curriculum Overview

Nursing education programs usually include courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology psychology, and social and behavioral sciences.

The NCLEX Examination

To become a registered nurse, individuals must complete an approved nursing program and successfully pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). The NCLEX is a standardized test that is required to obtain nursing licensure. This test is used to determine whether you’re prepared for entry-level nursing. In order to sit for the exam, you’ll need to apply for a nursing license from your state board of nursing. There are two versions: NCLEX-RN, for registered nurses, and NCLEX-PN for practical nurses. Register for the exam online, through the Nursing Regulatory Body (NRB) and Pearson VUE. The cost for each version of the test is $200. After three failures of the same level of examination (RN, LPN), regardless of jurisdiction, the applicant must successfully complete a Florida Board of Nursing approved remedial training program. The program includes classroom and clinical components, and proof of completion must be submitted at the time of application for the fourth attempt. After successfully registering for the NCLEX and receiving your Authorization to Test (ATT), you have a certain window of time to take the test. The average ATT length is 90 days.

Applying for Licensure

After passing the NCLEX, you’ll need to apply for a nursing license with the state board where you plan to practice. Each state’s board of nursing provides specific requirements. Additional licensing requirements, including criminal background checks, may vary by state. In Florida, applications for licensure as a Registered Nurse by Examination are now exclusively accepted online. Click the "Apply Now" button below to begin the online application process.

Florida-Specific Requirements

Florida passed House Bill 975 following the 2024 legislative session, which requires this profession to complete electronic fingerprinting. Your application cannot be approved until this requirement, along with all other licensure criteria, has been met. Applicants for initial licensure must use a Livescan service provider to have their fingerprints submitted electronically to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for conducting a search for any Florida and national criminal history records that may pertain to applicant. The results will be returned to the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse) and made available to the Department for consideration during the licensure process. The Livescan fingerprints submitted by the applicant will be retained by FDLE and the Clearinghouse. All costs for conducting a criminal history background screening are borne by the applicant. The Department cannot accept hard fingerprint cards or results. It is important to use the correct Originating Agency Identification (ORI) when submitting fingerprints. Applicants can use any FDLE approved Livescan service provider to submit their fingerprints. The applicant is fully responsible for selecting the service provider and ensuring the results are reported to the Department. Please take the Electronic Fingerprinting Form with you to the Livescan provider. Please check the service provider’s requirements to see if you need to bring any additional items.

Applicants for initial licensure must use a Livescan service provider to have their fingerprints submitted electronically to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for conducting a search for any Florida and national criminal history records that may pertain to applicant. The results will be returned to the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse) and made available to the Department for consideration during the licensure process. The Livescan fingerprints submitted by the applicant will be retained by FDLE and the Clearinghouse. All costs for conducting a criminal history background screening are borne by the applicant. The Department cannot accept hard fingerprint cards or results. It is important to use the correct Originating Agency Identification (ORI) when submitting fingerprints. Applicants can use any FDLE approved Livescan service provider to submit their fingerprints. The applicant is fully responsible for selecting the service provider and ensuring the results are reported to the Department. Please take the Electronic Fingerprinting Form with you to the Livescan provider. Please check the service provider’s requirements to see if you need to bring any additional items. A letter from a licensed health care practitioner, who is qualified by skill and training to address the condition identified, which explains the impact the condition may have on the ability to practice the profession with reasonable skill and safety. The letter must specify that the applicant is safe to practice the profession without restrictions or specifically indicate the restrictions that are necessary. Any applicant who has ever been found guilty of or pled guilty or no contest/nolo contendere to any charge other than a minor traffic offense must list each offense on the application. Failure to disclose criminal history may result in denial of your application. Staff cannot make determinations in advance as laws and rules do change over time. Violent crimes and repeat offenders are required to be presented to the Board of Nursing for review. For Felony Disqualifying Offenses (regardless of adjudication), you would not be eligible for an Exemption until 2 years have passed since the completion of any non-monetary obligations (confinement, probation, community service, etc.). All fines, fees, restitution, etc. Final Dispositions/Arrest Records - Final disposition records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. Completion of Probation/Parole/Sanctions - Probation and financial sanction records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. Parole records for offenses can be obtained from the Department of Corrections or at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. Agency Records - All relevant documentation regarding the action should be sent to the board office by the licensing agency. Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under Chapter 409, F.S., (relating to social and economic assistance), Chapter 817, F.S., (relating to fraudulent practices), Chapter 893, F.S., (relating to drug abuse prevention and control) or a similar felony offense(s) in another state or jurisdiction unless the candidate or applicant has successfully completed a drug court program for that felony and provides proof that the plea has been withdrawn or the charges have been dismissed. ss. ss. Once all materials are submitted, an application specialist will review them. If eligibility requirements are met applicant will receive Eligibility letter with instructions regarding registration with Pearson VUE. Upon passing the licensure examination, the initial licensure notification is issued within 7-10 days.

Licensure by Endorsement

The process is different for out-of-state RNs who have already passed the NCLEX. Applications for licensure as a Registered Nurse by Endorsement are exclusively accepted online. Click the "Apply Now" button below to begin the online application process. Contact the state board(s) in which a license has been held to request License Verification be sent to Florida. When moving (changing primary state of legal residence) to a new NLC state, it is the nurse’s responsibility to apply for licensure by endorsement. This should be completed upon moving and the nurse should not delay. There is no grace period. The nurse may not wait until the former license expires to apply in the nurse’s new state of legal residency. The nurse may practice on the former home state license only UNTIL the multistate license in the new NLC home state is issued. Proof of residency such as a driver’s license may be required. The nurse is responsible for applying for licensure by endorsement in the new state of residence. The nurse may apply before or after the move. The multistate license of the former NLC state is changed to a single state license upon changing legal residency to a noncompact state. The nurse is responsible for notifying the board of nursing (BON) of the former NLC state of the new address and to request a change in status to “single state”.

Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)

Note: Virginia participates in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), which allows nurses living in compact states to practice in all other compact states with a single multi-state license. You can view an Implementation Map to determine if your state participates in the compact. Florida became part of the NLC on January 19, 2018.

Continuing Education

Florida has a mandatory continuing education (CE) requirement for all RNs. You will need to provide proof of completed CE hours and pay a renewal fee.

Finding a Job

When you’ve received your nursing license, it’s time to start looking for employment opportunities. Be sure to check with the careers services sector of your school, which may be able to provide you with job placement assistance or alumni connections. Registered nurses work in hospitals, physicians’ offices, home healthcare services, and nursing care facilities.

Additional Roles in Nursing

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): Learn basic patient care, which you will perform under the supervision of an RN while on the job. LPNs are responsible for keeping families updated on a patient’s condition and helping them understand, in lay terms, what level of care is required. In certain states and certain certifications, they are authorized to start intravenous (IV) fluid drips and administer IV medications.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): Assist with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating, along with monitoring vital signs and patient mobility. The CNA role is crucial in providing foundational support and comfort to patients.

Advanced Nursing Roles

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): An MSN degree can position you closer to your goals of joining advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) in primary and specialty roles alike. You may elect to narrow your focus within an MSN program - perhaps with a focused MSN in Healthcare Quality and Safety, Population Health or Nurse Executive Leadership.
Master's in Nursing Education: For nurses with an aptitude for teaching or mentoring, a master's in nursing education can let you train and teach current and future nurses. While the demand for nursing programs is great, many institutions lack prepared nurse educators, said Moriarty-Litz. According to the AACN, 78,191 qualified applications for nursing school were turned down in 2022 due in part to a faculty shortage. “Nursing education is a wide-open field with needs for instructors in face-to-face as well as online educational programs," Moriarty-Litz said.
Dual Degree Programs: These programs let you specialize by combining an MSN with a second advanced degree, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Public Health (MPH) and other related master’s degrees.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): Neither the PhD or DNP are currently available at SNHU, but the former trains scientists and researchers, while the latter targets practitioners. Yet both advance nursing practice, wrote Shaké Ketefian and Richard W.
Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) are a type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). They provide direct patient care in one of many nursing specialties, such as psychiatric-mental health or pediatrics. CNSs also provide indirect care by working with other nurses and medical staff to improve the quality of care that patients receive. They often serve in leadership roles and may educate and advise other nursing staff. CNSs must earn a master’s degree in nursing and typically already have 1 year or more of work experience as an RN or in a related field. CNSs must satisfy additional state licensing requirements, such as earning specialty certifications.
Some RNs may become nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, or nurse practitioners, which, along with clinical nurse specialists, are types of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). APRNs need a master’s degree but many have a doctoral degree.

Essential Skills and Qualities for Registered Nurses

Critical-thinking skills.
Communication skills: Registered nurses must be able to communicate effectively with patients in order to understand their concerns and evaluate their health conditions. Nurses need to clearly explain instructions, such as how to take medication.
Compassion.
Detail oriented.
Emotional stability.
Organizational skills: Nurses often work with multiple patients who have a variety of health needs.
Physical stamina: Nurses should be comfortable performing physical tasks, such as lifting patients.

Job Outlook and Salary

The median annual wage for registered nurses was $93,600 in May 2024. Demand for healthcare services will increase because of the large number of older people, who typically have more medical problems than younger people. Job growth is expected across most types of healthcare settings, including hospitals and outpatient care centers that provide same-day services, such as chemotherapy, rehabilitation, and surgery. for RN employment with 189,120 registered nurses earning an average annual salary of $82,320. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Read also: Becoming a Nurse Practitioner

Flexibility of Online Programs

Nursing is a hands-on profession, but both ADN and BSN degree programs can be completed at least partly online. Clinical hours are the exception. Clinicals are hands-on requirements that place a nursing student directly in a healthcare setting. If you’re a nursing student in a rural area with no classroom programs within reach, an online program can give you access to a wide range of educational opportunities across the country.

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