Your nursing journey will differ depending on your educational background, goals, and priorities. Luckily, the diverse field of nursing will almost certainly have a path that suits your needs.
In the following sections, we'll explore how to become a nurse your way, no matter what that looks like. Read on to learn more.
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Sponsored
The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN or BSN online, both designed to fit into your busy schedule.
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
At Purdue Global, discover a faster, more affordable way to earn your Nursing degree. Purdue Global is committed to keeping your tuition costs as low as possible and helping you find the most efficient path to your degree.
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
At Liberty, you’ll benefit from 30+ years of learning, growing, adapting, and innovating for the distance learner — and more than a decade of researching the needs of the online student. You can be confident that we’ve taken the time to learn what’s important to you.
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
How Do I Become a Nurse: A Step-By-Step Guide
Whether you attend a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or start with baby steps as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), there are four basic steps to becoming a nurse:
- Attend an Accredited Nursing Program: Accredited programs set you up for success in the job market and future educational endeavors. Read ournursing school accreditation guide to learn more.
- Become Licensed: All types of nurses need a license to practice, including licensed practical nurses (LPNs), registered nurses (RNs), and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). For LPNs and RNs, you must pass theNCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN, respectively, to earn your licensure.
- Earn Additional Certifications: Certain specialty areas of nursing require certifications. If you pursue a specialization, you may need to earn these additional credentials.
- Continue Your Nursing Education Journey: Each state has different nursing continuing education units (CEUs) that nurses must complete regularly to maintain licensure. Additionally, if you want to climb the career and salary ladder, you must return to school to earn higher degrees.
Nursing Programs & Requirements
Every nurse's journey begins with attending a nursing program. The following section explores how to become a nurse at every level, including major requirements, programs, and certifications.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Requirements: Accredited CNA Program and Certification/Licensure
- Program Length: 4-12 weeks
- Annual Salary: $38,130, via the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Certified nursing assistants are entry-level healthcare professionals who work under the direct supervision of an RN. Starting as a CNA is not necessary, but a great way to quickly enter the nursing field and learn whether it's right for you. CNA requirements include attending an accredited program and earning a certification or license, depending on the state.
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN)
- Requirements: Accredited LPN/LVN program and NCLEX-PN
- Program Length: 1-2 years
- Annual Salary: $59,730 (BLS)
LPNs and LVNs are entry-level nurses who provide essential care to patients and assist RNs and doctors. Becoming an LPN requires attending an accredited program and passing the NCLEX-PN exam. LPN programs are easy to get into and affordable, making them ideal for waitlisted students and aspiring nurses on a budget.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) - RN
- Requirements: Accredited ADN program and NCLEX-RN
- Program Length: 2-3 years
- Annual Salary: $80,321 (ZipRecruiter)
Earning an ADN is the fastest way to become a registered nurse. Most ADN programs last just two years and are available at community and technical colleges. At the end of the program, you take the same NCLEX-RN exam as those who complete a bachelor's education.Since some hospitals pay for RNs to earn a BSN, many nurses earn an ADN first to quickly enter the workforce and save money.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - RN
- Requirements: Accredited BSN program and NCLEX-RN
- Program Length: 4 years
- Annual Salary: $102,263 (ZipRecruiter)
A BSN is the gold standard in nursing degrees, allowing you to become a registered nurse in four years. Typically found at universities, BSN programs prepare students to take the NCLEX-RN exam and enter the workforce. Employers at coveted hospitals tend to prefer BSNs over ADNs, and the degree sets you up to easily advance your education later.
Second-Degree Registered Nurse
- Requirements: Accredited ABSN program and NCLEX-RN
- Program Length: 1-2 years
- Annual Salary: $102,263 (ZipRecruiter)
Attending an accelerated BSN (ABSN) program allows you to quickly and affordably change careers and become a nurse. Designed for students with non-nursing bachelor's degrees,ABSN programs qualify you to enter the nursing field in as little as one year.
>> Related: Top Online Nursing Programs for Non-Nurses
Choosing a Nursing Speciality
Your professional goals will largely influence which nursing specialty, if any, you'll select. For example, aspiring nurse-midwives will need obstetrics experience before attending a graduate program.
Some common specialty areas for new graduates include the following:
- Ambulatory care
- Cardiac care
- Dermatology
- Diabetes
- Emergency room
- Genetics
- Geriatrics
- Home health
- Hospice
- Medical-surgical
- Metabolic
- Neurology
- Neonatal
- Occupational health
- Operating room
- Orthopedics
- Pulmonology
- Wound care
>> Show Me Online Nursing Programs
AdvancingYour Nursing Education
Continuing your nursing education allows you to expand your scope of practice, take on leadership roles, and earn higher salaries.
RN to BSN
- Program Requirements: Active & Unencumbered RN License
- Program Length: 1-2 years
- Annual Salary: $102,263 (ZipRecruiter)
As an ADN-RN, you can take the skills and experience you already have and use them in an accelerated RN-to-BSN program. Some RN to BSN programs don't include clinical hours, and you may complete them entirely online.
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Sponsored
The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN or BSN online, both designed to fit into your busy schedule.
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
At Purdue Global, discover a faster, more affordable way to earn your Nursing degree. Purdue Global is committed to keeping your tuition costs as low as possible and helping you find the most efficient path to your degree.
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
At Liberty, you’ll benefit from 30+ years of learning, growing, adapting, and innovating for the distance learner — and more than a decade of researching the needs of the online student. You can be confident that we’ve taken the time to learn what’s important to you.
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- Program Requirements: BSN & 2 years clinical experience
- Program Length: 1-2 years
- Annual Salary: $129,480 (BLS)
MSN degrees open advanced opportunities in clinical, education, information, and administrative fields. While traditional MSN programs require a BSN, you may also attend an RN-to-MSN program or, if you have a bachelor's in another field, a direct-entry MSN.
>> Show Me Online MSN Programs
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Program Requirements: ADN, BSN or MSN & 2 years clinical experience
- Program Length: 2-6 years (Previous education dependent)
- Annual Salary: $129,480 (BLS)
A DNP is a terminal nursing degree for APRNs. DNP graduates are leaders in advanced nursing practice who bring evidence-based knowledge to clinical and academic settings. While many DNP degrees require a BSN or MSN, RN-DNP programs exist for qualified ADN-RNs.
>> Show Me DNP Programs
Why Should You Become a Nurse?
Why do you want to become a nurse? Many aspiring nurses are driven by a desire to help others and make the world a better place. But there are several other reasons why becoming a nurse is a practical and exciting career move:
- High Demand: Nurses and APRNs are some of the most in-demand careers nationwide. The BLS predicts RN jobs will grow by 6% over the next decade, and APRNs will grow by 38%.
- Recession-Proof:When the nation faces mass layoffs and recessions, healthcare and nursing jobs remain due to their necessity and demand.
- Good Money:The BLS reports that all RNs earn a median annual salary of$86,070 or $41.38 per hour. This figure reflects a higher-than-average annual income compared to all other professions.
- Diverse Opportunities: You'll never get bored working as a nurse because there are so many lateral and advancement opportunities in the field. Check out this list ofall the types of nurses to learn about different nursing paths.
>> Show Me Online Nursing Programs
How to Become a Nurse FAQs
How long does it take to become a nurse?
- Becoming a nurse takes two to four years, depending on whether you attend an ADN or BSN program. However, this timeline may change depending on your ability to attend classes full-time and prior education.
What is the job outlook for nurses?
- The BLS predicts RN jobs will grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032, while APRN jobs will grow by 38% in that time. These predictions are much faster than the average growth of all other professions.
What are the most popular nursing specialties?
- The most popular nursing specialties include maternity, neonatal intensive care nursing, cardiac catheterization lab, pediatrics, and post-anesthesia care nursing.
Where do nurses work?
- Most commonly, nurses work in hospitals. However, they can also work in outpatient care centers, surgery centers, academia, nursing care facilities, home healthcare, and nontraditional nursing settings.
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