How to Become a Registered Nurse

Overview

Being a registered nurse (RN) is a challenging but potentially rewarding profession that requires both academic and practical training. Registered nurses work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, doctor's offices, schools and private business, and serve patients in many different area of care, such as surgery, emergency care, pediatrics and mental health. To become a registered nurse, you must complete a nursing degree or diploma and obtain a state license through your state's board of nursing.

Step 1

Find out what types of degrees your state accepts and requires to obtain an RN license. The AllNursingSchools website, linked below, has a list of state boards of nursing and their requirements. Most states accept an associate's degree, bachelor's degree or a diploma program in nursing, while a few, such as California, also accept an LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) 30 Unit Option.

Step 2

Decide what type of nursing degree you would like to pursue from those you have discerned in Step 1. In general, associate's degrees and diplomas take two to three years to complete, while a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) can lead to more job opportunities in areas such as research, administration, teaching and consulting. Many nursing schools also offer RN-to-BSN programs for students with an associate's degree who later choose to earn a bachelor's.

Step 3

Consider whether you would like to become certified in a nursing specialty, such as surgery or oncology. According to AllNursingSchools, nurses who are certified in a specialty earned about $9,200 more than RNs with no specialty.

Step 4

Select a program that offers the type of nursing degree you want. You can find a list of nursing programs, including those that offer online degrees, on the AllNursingSchools website linked below. Find out as much as possible about the nursing school's program, including courses required, types of internships or practicums offered, nursing specialties available, types of financial aid available, and job search support.

Step 5

Complete the necessary course prerequisites and application requirements for the nursing program. Most programs require a high school diploma with four years of English, three or more years of math, two to four years of biology and chemistry, and three to four years of social studies, or equivalent college coursework. Some colleges offer nursing programs especially for those who already have degrees in other fields.

Step 6

Apply for financial aid if necessary. Since registered nurses are often in high demand, students can find many opportunities for scholarships, loans and grants through websites such as Discover Nursing, linked below.

Step 7

Work with an advisor to complete the necessary coursework and practicum requirements for the nursing degree. Most programs include basic courses such as anatomy and physiology, as well as hands-on learning in hospital or clinical settings. Look for a practicum that will give you experience in the type of environment you want to work in, or that will introduce you to a variety of health care settings.

Step 8

Apply to take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCLEX) examination about six to eight weeks before graduation, or within the time period required by the state board.

Step 9

Pass the exam and complete any other state licensing requirements, such as a criminal background check. Pay the RN license fee, which ranges from $50 to $200 in most states.

How to Become a Registered Nurse by the-professionals.net