Registered Nurse (RN) Programs & Licensure

Updated October 29, 2025 Table of Contents

Lead with compassion and clinical expertise. Registered nurses (RNs) provide patient care, coordinate treatment, and educate patients and families. This 2025 guide explains how to become a licensed RN, including degree options, licensure, and career advancement opportunities.

What Does a Registered Nurse Do?

Registered nurses play a central role in healthcare delivery. They assess patient needs, implement treatment plans, and collaborate with physicians and other medical staff to promote recovery and well-being.

Key responsibilities include:

Assessing and recording patient symptoms, vitals, and medical histories
Administering medications and treatments as prescribed
Educating patients and families about ongoing care and recovery
Coordinating with healthcare teams to ensure continuity of care
Supervising licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and nursing assistants
Managing medical equipment and maintaining safety standards

RNs work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, schools, and home healthcare environments.

What You’ll Learn in Nursing School

Nursing programs combine foundational science courses with hands-on clinical experience in hospitals and community settings.

Core subjects include:

Anatomy & Physiology: Structure and function of body systems
Pharmacology: Medication administration and interactions
Microbiology: Infection control and disease prevention
Nursing Fundamentals: Patient care, ethics, and communication
Medical-Surgical Nursing: Adult care and acute illness management
Maternal & Pediatric Nursing: Childbirth, neonatal, and pediatric care
Psychiatric Nursing: Behavioral health and therapeutic communication
Clinical Practicums: Supervised rotations across healthcare settings

These courses prepare students to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam upon graduation.

Education & Program Options

There are multiple pathways to becoming a registered nurse, depending on your educational background and career goals.

Common nursing degree paths:

ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing): 2–3 year program at community colleges leading to RN licensure
BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing): 4-year university degree with expanded coursework in leadership and research
Accelerated BSN (ABSN): 12–18 month program for individuals with prior bachelor’s degrees
Online RN-to-BSN Programs: Designed for licensed RNs seeking advancement opportunities

All programs include clinical rotations and must be accredited by the ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) or CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education).

Skills You’ll Need to Succeed

Registered nurses must blend clinical skill with empathy and communication.

Top skills include:

Compassion and patient-centered care
Critical thinking and medical decision-making
Time management and organization under pressure
Interpersonal communication across diverse teams
Attention to detail in medication administration and documentation
Emotional resilience and stress management

These abilities allow nurses to deliver safe, effective, and empathetic patient care.

Licensure & Certification

All RNs must pass a national licensure exam and meet state-specific requirements to practice.

Steps to licensure:

Graduate from an accredited nursing program
Apply for authorization to test (ATT) with your state board of nursing
Pass the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination)
Obtain state licensure and maintain active registration
Complete continuing education as required for renewal

Optional certifications are available for specialties such as critical care, pediatrics, or oncology.

How to Become a Registered Nurse

Earn a high school diploma or GED with biology and chemistry coursework
Complete an accredited ADN or BSN nursing program
Gain clinical experience during training
Pass the NCLEX-RN exam and obtain state licensure
Begin working as a registered nurse in your chosen healthcare setting
Pursue specialization or graduate education (e.g., nurse practitioner, educator, or administrator)

Many RNs return to school for MSN or DNP degrees to expand their scope of practice.

Median Pay (2024) $93,600 $45.00 per hour

Job Outlook (2024–2034) 4.9% +166,100 jobs (2024–2034) • 189,100 annual openings

Mean Pay (2024)

$98,430 per year $47.32 per hour

Wage Percentiles

10th Percentile $66,030

$31.75 per hour

25th Percentile $78,610

$37.79 per hour

75th Percentile $107,960

$51.90 per hour

90th Percentile $135,320

$65.06 per hour

Employment Outlook

2024 3,391,000

2034 3,557,100

Employment: 3,391,000 → 3,557,100 jobs by 2034 (4.9%)

189,100 projected openings each year

Additional Details

Share of U.S. Employment: 2.1%
Employment per 1,000 Jobs: 21.29
Employment RSE: 0.2%
Projected Annual Openings: 189,100

Nursing continues to be one of the fastest-growing healthcare careers, with steady demand across hospitals, outpatient care, and home health settings.

Professional Associations & Resources

American Nurses Association (ANA): Advocacy, certification, and continuing education
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN): NCLEX and licensure resources
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN): BSN and MSN program standards
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN): Program accreditation database

Career Paths

Registered nurses can specialize or advance into leadership roles such as:

Critical Care or Emergency Room Nurse
Pediatric or Neonatal Nurse
Oncology or Surgical Nurse
Public Health Nurse
Nurse Educator or Manager
Nurse Practitioner (with MSN or DNP)

Each specialization offers unique professional challenges and rewards.

Find Registered Nurse Programs Near You

Ready to launch your nursing career?
Compare accredited RN programs near you and begin your journey toward licensure and lifelong impact in patient care.

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