Registered nurse (RN): every route to the RN license
Three education paths lead to the same NCLEX-RN and state license: a bachelor's in nursing (BSN), an associate's degree (ADN/ASN) or a hospital diploma. Many nurses also climb the ladder from nursing assistant or LPN.
For: Students who like science and want direct patient care, can handle stress and long shifts, and may later want advanced practice (NP, midwife, anesthetist).
Route 1: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Hospitals may require it
Straight from high school; employers, particularly hospitals, may require a bachelor's degree.
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Start here
High school diploma
BLS
Registered Nurses — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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About 4 years
BSN program
Courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, psychology and social sciences, plus supervised clinical experience.
BLS
Registered Nurses — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
NCLEX-RN
The national licensure exam used by U.S. boards of nursing.
NCLEX-RN exam pageNCSBN
Next Generation NCLEXNCSBN- Checked
- 7 Oct 2026
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License
State RN license
Issued by the state where you work; other rules, such as a criminal background check, vary by state.
RN license stepsBLS
Registered Nurses — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Registered nurse
BLS
Registered Nurses — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Route 2: Associate's degree (ADN/ASN) or hospital diploma Also qualifies
Licensed graduates of any of the three program types qualify for entry-level staff nurse jobs.
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Start here
High school diploma
BLS
Registered Nurses — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Program
ADN, ASN or diploma program
Diploma programs, usually offered by hospitals or medical centers, typically take 2 to 3 years; there are far fewer of them than BSN and ADN programs.
BLS
Registered Nurses — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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License
State RN license
RN license stepsBLS
Registered Nurses — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Optional
RN-to-BSN program
Nurses with an ADN, ASN or diploma may go back to school for a bachelor's degree; some employers offer tuition reimbursement.
BLS
Registered Nurses — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Registered nurse
BLS
Registered Nurses — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Route 3: The nursing ladder: CNA → LPN → RN → NP Earn while you climb
Start working in a few months, then add one license at a time.
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Start here
Nursing assistant (CNA)
A state-approved program and the state competency exam put you on the nurse aide registry.
Nursing assistantBLS
Nursing Assistants and Orderlies — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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About 1 year
Practical nursing program
BLS
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
NCLEX-PN
NCLEX-PN exam pageNCSBN
NCSBN examinations: registering for the NCLEXNational Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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License
LPN or LVN license
LPN license stepsBLS
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Bridge
LPN-to-RN program
BLS
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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License
RN license
RN license stepsBLS
Registered Nurses — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Master's
APRN graduate program
An RN license comes first; most APRN programs prefer a BSN, and some offer bridge programs for nurses with an associate's degree or diploma.
BLS
Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Nurse practitioner, midwife or anesthetist
National certification exam and a state APRN license.
APRN career pageBLS
Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
National certifications and federal rules
Federal rules apply in every state; voluntary certifications are ones employers may ask for. State rules are in the matrix below.
- Specialty certification
Professional associations - Usually voluntary, in areas such as ambulatory care, gerontology or pediatrics; some employers require it. Jobs may also ask for CPR, BLS or ACLS certification.
BLS
Registered Nurses — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
State rules
Each state's board of nursing sets the RN licensing rules. Other requirements, such as a criminal background check, vary by state. The RN license page lists the Nurse Licensure Compact states. BLS
View source
Where to go next
Every career page in this cluster: entry, license, BLS pay and outlook.
What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and how to become one.