Registered Nurse (RN) Degree & Education: What's Required?

Key Takeaways

• To become a registered nurse, earn an associate or bachelor's degree in nursing and pass the NCLEX-RN.
• RN pathways include the ADN, BSN, and bridge programs like LPN-to-RN and Paramedic-to-RN.
• Online programs exist, but clinical hours must be completed in person.
• Continuing education is often required to keep your license, with room to specialize later.

"RN" is a license, not a degree. To earn it, you complete an associate degree (ADN) or a bachelor's degree (BSN) in nursing, then pass the NCLEX-RN. Which degree you choose depends on the job you want, how much time you'll spend in school, and how much nursing education you already have.

How Long Nursing School Takes

Length depends on the degree. LPN programs run about 12 to 18 months. ADNs take roughly two years. BSNs typically take four. ADN and BSN both prepare you for the RN role, which supervises positions like LPNs.

Which Degree to Earn

Every path requires completing an approved nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN. Some states add requirements such as criminal background checks, so confirm the specifics with your state board of nursing.

Option 1: Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

The ADN is the fastest route to RN licensure with no prior nursing education, and it opens the door to entry-level positions and hands-on clinical experience.

Admission usually requires a high school diploma or GED plus general education prerequisites in biology, anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and English. Some schools also require an entrance exam or a set number of healthcare hours. The curriculum covers general nursing practice, healthcare policy, maternal and pediatric nursing, mental health, surgical nursing, ethics, skills labs, and onsite clinicals. Time to complete: about two years.

Option 2: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

A BSN gives you broader, deeper training and qualifies you for roles beyond entry level, which often pay more. Admission requirements mirror the ADN: prerequisite courses and possibly an entrance exam or healthcare hours. The curriculum covers everything an ADN does, then adds advanced topics like population health and nursing research, and sometimes a specialization. Time to complete: about four years.

Option 3: Accelerated Pathways

Several programs shorten the timeline for people who already have nursing or other education.

LPN-to-RN bridge programs build on an existing LPN's foundation and lead to an ADN or BSN. LPN-to-ADN typically takes one to two years; LPN-to-BSN takes two to four.

Paramedic-to-RN bridge programs credit a paramedic's emergency and patient care experience. Paramedic-to-ADN runs about 12 to 18 months; Paramedic-to-BSN takes two to three years.

Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs are for people who already hold a bachelor's in another field. Because most general education requirements are done, you can finish a BSN in one to two years on a fast, demanding schedule.

ADN or BSN?

It depends on your goal. An ADN gets you working at a hospital or nursing home in about half the time. A BSN takes longer but tends to pay more and qualifies you for greater responsibility. If you want to start sooner, the ADN works; if you want more options long term, the BSN does.

Testing and Licensing

After your degree, you take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), to qualify for RN licensure. It tests readiness for entry-level practice. You answer a minimum of 85 questions and up to 150 within a five-hour window.

To sit for the exam, apply for a license through your state board, since eligibility criteria vary by state. The NCLEX covers four categories of need:

• Safe, effective care environment: management of care, safety, and infection control
• Psychosocial integrity: patients' social, emotional, and mental wellbeing, including mental illness
• Health promotion and maintenance: development across the lifespan and disease prevention
• Physiological integrity: basic care, pharmacological therapies, risk reduction, and physiological adaptation

Sample tests and prep courses are widely available.

What You'll Learn

ADN coursework covers core sciences (anatomy, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, psychology) alongside nursing topics. BSN coursework goes deeper, adding subjects like emergency care, nursing research, and population-based practice.

Online Programs

Nursing is hands-on, but ADN and BSN programs can be completed at least partly online. The exception is clinical hours, which place you directly in a healthcare setting and must be done in person at a clinic, hospital, or other facility. Online programs help students in rural areas without nearby campuses and those balancing other responsibilities.

Prerequisites

A minimum of an ADN is required to practice as an RN, but admission usually hinges on several factors:

• Minimum SAT or ACT scores
• A GPA in the 2.0 to 3.5 range (check your school)
• Coursework in math and science, including biology and chemistry, plus English
• A nursing entrance exam

Requirements vary by program. Some skip standardized or entrance exams entirely. Contact each school directly.

Entrance Exams

Two common ones:

Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), from Assessment Technologies Institute, is among the most frequently required. It measures math, English, science, and reading.

Nursing Entrance Exam (NEX), from the National League for Nursing, covers reading comprehension, biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and algebra in multiple-choice format.

Accreditation

Accreditation confirms a program meets national education standards. It matters for two practical reasons: you generally need to attend an accredited school to qualify for financial aid, and credits from an accredited school transfer to other accredited schools for further education.

Continuing Education Requirements

Once you're licensed, you'll likely need continuing education throughout your career to keep your license current. Not every state mandates it, but your employer may require it to maintain a specialty certification.

What RNs Earn

Pay depends on location, specialty, and experience, and demand can push it higher. Rural and remote facilities sometimes offer relocation bonuses. RNs earn a median annual salary of $93,600, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the profession will grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 189,100 openings per year.

FAQ: Earning Your RN Degree

What are my options for advancement?

Your education doesn't stop at licensure. You can pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), built for BSN-prepared nurses who want to specialize, or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which leads to advanced clinical, leadership, or policy roles. Both can make you an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).

Can I become an RN with a GED?

Yes. Most schools accept a high school diploma or GED on your initial application. After admission, programs focus on whether you've passed the required prerequisite courses, not your high school path.

How long after graduating can I take the NCLEX?

Usually there's no national limit, but check your state's nursing regulatory body for restrictions. Once you register and receive your Authorization to Test (ATT), you have a set window to sit for the exam, averaging about 90 days.

Can I study nursing without physics and chemistry?

You may skip physics, but not chemistry. Chemistry explains how the body functions at the cellular level and how medications interact, so most programs require it as a prerequisite and often beyond.

Can I become a nurse with a psychology degree?

Yes, through an ABSN, which is built for people with a bachelor's in another field and focuses solely on nursing courses. A psychology background pairs especially well with a psychiatric or mental health nursing specialty.