How to Become a Registered Nurse (RN) in 2026
Quick answer: Becoming a registered nurse requires a 4-year degree - typically a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN); ADN accepted by some employers. The national median pay is $97,550 per year, and BLS projects +4.9% employment change from 2024 to 2034 (BLS OEWS, May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Registered Nurse (RN) at a Glance
| Metric | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $97,550 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Typical wage range | $68,940 (10th pct) - $137,470 (90th pct) | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected growth (2024-34) | +4.9% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
| Typical education | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN); ADN accepted by some employers | BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook |
| License / certification | NCLEX-RN exam + state board of nursing license (required in every state) | State licensing boards |
What Does a Registered Nurse (RN) Do?
Registered nurses assess patients, administer medications and treatments, coordinate care with physicians, operate medical equipment, and educate patients and families about health conditions. RNs work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, home health, and long-term care settings.
Skills That Make a Great Registered Nurse (RN)
- Clinical assessment and triage
- Medication administration and safety checks
- Patient and family education
- EHR charting and documentation
- Staying calm and precise under pressure
How to Become a Registered Nurse (RN)
1. Earn a nursing degree
Complete an ADN (2 years) or BSN (4 years) from an accredited program. Hospitals increasingly prefer or require the BSN.
2. Pass the NCLEX-RN
Every state requires the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses.
3. Get your state license
Apply to your state board of nursing; most states participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact for multistate practice.
4. Start in a staff RN role
Hospitals, clinics, and home-health agencies hire new grads into residency or preceptorship programs.
5. Specialize or advance
Experienced RNs move into ICU, ER, informatics, case management, or continue to an MSN for nurse practitioner roles.
Why an Online Degree Works for This Career
Nursing is one of the most established online degree paths. RN-to-BSN completion programs are offered almost entirely online because working nurses already have clinical experience, and pre-licensure BSN programs pair online coursework with clinical placements arranged near you. If you already hold a CNA, LPN, or ADN credential, an online BSN is the standard next rung on the ladder. See the dedicated guides: CNA to RN, LPN to RN, medical assistant to RN, paramedic to RN, and RN to BSN online.
Registered Nurse (RN) Salary
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $68,940 |
| 25th | $80,330 |
| 50th (median) | $97,550 |
| 75th | $112,350 |
| 90th | $137,470 |
Job Outlook
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 3,391,000 |
| 2034 projected | 3,557,100 |
| Percent change | +4.9% |
Cost and Time to Complete the Degree
For registered nurses, the credential is: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN); ADN accepted by some employers. The ADN route reaches the RN license in about 2 years and the BSN in 4; bridge formats (LPN to RN, RN to BSN) credit prior licenses and routinely cut a year or more off the total. Transfer credit is the other lever: prior college, military training, apprenticeship coursework, and industry certifications can be worth a year or more at transfer-friendly schools, so get a written transfer evaluation before enrolling anywhere. Costs vary widely by school type; in-state public online programs are usually the value benchmark, and employer tuition assistance is common for working adults in this field.
Pros and Cons of Becoming a Registered Nurse (RN)
Pros
- Median pay of $97,550 nationally (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
- BLS projects +4.9% employment growth through 2034
- Field experience from the trades is a genuine hiring advantage
- Accredited online and hybrid degree paths exist for working adults
Cons
- Requires a 4-year degree (typically 120 credit hours)
- Entry-level pay starts near $68,940 at the 10th percentile
- Licensing hurdle: NCLEX-RN exam + state board of nursing license (required in every state)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a BSN to become an RN?
No - an associate degree in nursing (ADN) qualifies you to sit for the NCLEX-RN. However, many hospitals prefer or require a BSN, and BLS data shows bachelor's-prepared nurses have broader advancement options. RN-to-BSN bridge programs let working ADN nurses finish the bachelor's online.
Can you become an RN fully online?
Coursework can be completed online, but every accredited program includes in-person clinical hours. Online programs arrange clinical placements at healthcare facilities near you.
How much do registered nurses make?
The national median annual wage for registered nurses is $97,550 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The top 10% earn $137,470 or more, while entry-level pay starts around $68,940.
What is the job outlook for registered nurses?
BLS projects employment of registered nurses to change by +4.9% from 2024 to 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Registered Nurse (RN) Salary and Requirements by State
Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming
Related Trade Careers
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Medical Assistant
- Patient Care Technician
- Paramedic
- EMT
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
Registered Nurse Salary by State
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |