How to Become a Nurse

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.

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: $36,220, 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: $54,620 (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

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:

>> Show Me Online Nursing Programs

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.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

• Program Requirements: BSN & 2 years clinical experience
• Program Length: 1-2 years
• Annual Salary: $125,900 (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: $125,900 (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 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 $81,220 or $39.05 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 of all the types of nurses to learn about different nursing paths.

>> Show Me Online Nursing Programs

• 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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