Becoming a nurse requires completing an approved nursing education program, passing a national licensing exam, and meeting your state’s background check and application requirements. The fastest route takes about two years, while advanced roles can require a decade of education and clinical experience. Here’s what each step looks like.
Choose Your Education Path
There are two main entry points into registered nursing, and the one you pick shapes your timeline, cost, and early career options.
An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is a two-year program typically offered at community colleges, with some accelerated versions finishing in 18 months. The core curriculum covers prerequisites like chemistry, anatomy, biology, and psychology, then moves into nursing-specific courses: fundamentals, medical-surgical nursing, pediatric nursing, psychiatric nursing, and community health. This is the most affordable and fastest path to becoming an RN.
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a four-year program at a college or university. It covers everything in the ADN curriculum plus coursework in nursing theory, public health, ethics, and disease processes. Many employers now prefer or require a BSN, and the trend is accelerating. New York State enacted a law requiring new RNs to earn a bachelor’s degree or higher within 10 years of licensure. If you start with an ADN, RN-to-BSN bridge programs let you complete the bachelor’s degree later, often online and in 12 to 18 months.
Meet Prerequisite Requirements
Before you can enter a nursing program, you’ll need to complete a set of prerequisite courses with passing grades. The standard list includes anatomy and physiology, microbiology, general chemistry, English composition, and psychology. Most programs require a minimum GPA of 2.0 in prerequisite coursework, though competitive programs set higher bars. Some schools guarantee admission at a 2.5 cumulative GPA or above.
Many programs also require an entrance exam. The two most common are the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) and the HESI A2, both of which test reading comprehension, math, science, and English language skills. Check your target school’s specific requirements early, since prerequisite courses alone can take a full year to finish.
Complete Clinical Hours
Nursing is a hands-on profession, and every program includes supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, clinics, and community settings. There is no single national standard for clinical hours at the entry level. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing does not mandate a specific number for bachelor’s or associate programs, but individual state boards of nursing often set their own minimums. Your program will place you in rotations covering areas like medical-surgical care, maternity, pediatrics, and mental health, giving you direct patient contact before you graduate.
Pass the NCLEX
After graduating from an approved program, you need to pass the NCLEX-RN (for registered nurses) or NCLEX-PN (for licensed practical nurses) to earn your license. Registration is a two-step process. First, you apply for licensure through your state’s board of nursing, submitting proof of graduation, background check documentation, and a state application fee. Second, you register with Pearson VUE, the testing service, and pay the $200 exam fee.
Once both your state board and Pearson VUE approve your eligibility, you’ll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) by email. This is typically valid for 90 days. One detail that trips people up: your name must match exactly across your school records, NCLEX registration, and state application. Even small inconsistencies can delay or block your ATT.
The exam itself is computerized and adaptive, meaning the difficulty of questions adjusts based on your answers. It tests your readiness to practice safely as an entry-level nurse.
Clear Your Background Check
Every state board of nursing requires a criminal background check before issuing a license. You’ll submit fingerprints, and the board will review your criminal record report. A conviction doesn’t automatically disqualify you, but the board evaluates whether the offense is substantially related to your ability to practice nursing safely. The key factor is whether it suggests a present or potential risk to public health, safety, or welfare.
Criminal records are retained indefinitely, so you should disclose all convictions on your application. Failing to report a conviction that later shows up on your record creates a much bigger problem than the conviction itself. If you have concerns about your history, contact your state board before investing in a program to understand where you stand.
Understand Multi-State Licensure
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows nurses to practice across state lines with a single license. Currently, 43 states and jurisdictions participate. If you live in a compact state and meet the licensure requirements, you can apply for a multistate license that lets you work in any other compact state without obtaining a separate license. If you move to a different compact state, you have 60 days to apply for licensure in your new home state. Nurses in non-compact states need individual licenses for each state where they practice.
Timelines for Different Nursing Levels
How long the full journey takes depends on what type of nurse you want to be:
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): About one year. LPN programs focus on fundamental nursing skills and prepare you for the NCLEX-PN.
- Registered Nurse (RN) via ADN: About two years, plus any time spent on prerequisites.
- Registered Nurse (RN) via BSN: Four years, including prerequisites built into the degree.
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN): Six to ten years total. This includes earning a BSN, gaining clinical experience as an RN, and completing a graduate degree. Nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, and nephrology specialists fall in this range.
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): Eight to ten years minimum. You need a BSN, one to three years of critical care experience, and a doctoral degree.
- Director of Nursing: Fifteen years or more of combined education and experience.
The Shift Toward Doctoral Preparation
For nurses aiming at advanced practice roles, the educational landscape is changing. The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties has been pushing to make the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) the entry-level degree for nurse practitioners, with a target of 2025 for the transition. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing has endorsed this position since 2004 and reaffirmed it in 2023.
In practice, state laws still allow nurse practitioners to work with a master’s degree, and cost and time continue to make the master’s route more popular among students. If the DNP does eventually become mandatory for new nurse practitioners, those already licensed and certified with a master’s degree will not be required to go back for a doctorate. Still, if you’re planning a career as an NP, it’s worth knowing that the field is moving in this direction.
Keeping Your License Active
Once you’re licensed, you need to complete continuing education to renew. Requirements vary by state, but a common standard is 20 hours of approved continuing education every two years for RNs and LPNs. APRNs face a steeper requirement, typically around 80 hours per renewal cycle. These hours cover topics like patient safety, pharmacology updates, and ethics, and many can be completed online.