At a Glance
Becoming a nurse in the U.S. means choosing a credential level and earning the right education and licensure for it. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) enter the field in about a year. Registered Nurses (RNs) typically need two to four years. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) typically require a master’s or doctoral degree, depending on specialty and program. LPN and RN licensure require NCLEX exams, while APRN roles require specialty-specific national certification exams and state licensure.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted more than 3.3 million registered nurses working in the U.S. in 2024, making nursing one of the largest occupations in the country. Job growth is projected at 5 percent through 2034, adding roughly 166,100 new RN positions over the decade. At the advanced practice level, the numbers are even more striking: employment of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners is projected to grow 35 percent over the same period. The pipeline to get there is well-defined. It starts with understanding which credential fits your goals.
Nursing credentials build on one another. An LPN license gets you into the field. An RN license expands your scope and your earning potential. A bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) opens doors that an associate’s degree won’t. A master’s or doctoral degree puts you on the path to advanced practice or leadership. Each level has its own educational requirements, licensing exam, and typical work settings.
The Nursing Credential Ladder
Before choosing a program, it’s worth understanding how the four main credential levels relate to each other. Each builds on the one before it, and each opens a different set of career options.
| Credential |
Minimum Education |
Licensing Exam |
2024 Median Salary |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) |
Certificate or diploma (approx. 1 year) |
NCLEX-PN |
$62,340 |
| Registered Nurse (RN) |
ADN or nursing diploma (2-3 years) |
NCLEX-RN |
$93,600 |
| RN with BSN |
Bachelor’s degree (4 years) |
NCLEX-RN |
$93,600+ |
| Advanced Practice RN (APRN) |
Master’s degree (MSN or DNP) |
Role-specific national certification |
$132,050 |
Salary figures are national medians from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2024. The BSN does not have a separate BLS median category from RN. Salaries for BSN-prepared nurses tend toward the higher end of the RN range.
How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Licensed practical nurses deliver hands-on patient care under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians. They monitor vital signs, assist with daily living activities, administer medications, and change wound dressings. Most LPNs work in skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, though many also work in physician offices and home health settings.
Becoming an LPN requires completing an approved practical nursing program, typically a one-year certificate offered through a community college or vocational school. That program must be approved by your state’s Board of Nursing. Once you complete it, you apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses, the NCLEX-PN, administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
Since April 2023, both the NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN have used the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) format, which tests clinical judgment more directly than the older exam. The NGN uses a mix of question types, including extended multiple response, enhanced hotspot, and case studies. The exam adapts to your performance as you answer, and the total number of items varies by candidate.
Once you pass the NCLEX-PN, your state Board of Nursing issues your LPN license. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual wage of $62,340 for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in May 2024, with 3 percent job growth projected through 2034.
If you plan to advance, starting as an LPN is a practical move. Many employers will help fund continuing education in exchange for a work commitment, and credit from your LPN program can often be applied toward an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN). Scholarships and grants through state agencies and professional organizations offer additional financial support for students at every credential level.
How to Become a Registered Nurse (RN)
Registered nurses coordinate patient care, develop treatment plans, administer medications, operate monitoring equipment, and educate patients and families about health conditions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 3,391,000 RNs employed nationally in 2024, with more than half working in general medical and surgical hospitals. Other major employers include physician offices, home health services, nursing care facilities, and outpatient care centers. RNs who want to work at the community and population level often pursue public health nursing, a specialty that focuses on disease prevention and health equity across entire communities.
There are three educational paths to RN licensure: a hospital-based nursing diploma (2-3 years), an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN, 2-3 years), or a bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN, 4 years). All three qualify you to sit for the NCLEX-RN. If you previously earned an LPN credential, that education can generally be applied toward ADN program requirements.
The push toward a BSN as the professional standard has accelerated. In 2016, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommended raising the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree. Since then, many hospitals, particularly Magnet-designated facilities, have made the BSN a preferred or required credential for hiring. Some states have enacted legislation requiring nurses to earn a BSN within a set period after initial licensure. Verify current requirements with your state Board of Nursing, as this area continues to evolve. If advancement into management, education, or specialty clinical roles is your goal, the BSN is the stronger foundation.
After earning your qualifying education, you register for the NCLEX-RN through your state Board of Nursing. The exam now uses the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) format, introduced in April 2023, which assesses clinical judgment through layered case studies and mixed question types. Pass rates and study resources are available through the NCSBN. Once you pass, your state issues your RN license, and you can begin applying for positions.
Nurse Managers, Nurse Executives, and Nurse Educators
Once you have RN experience, the career path branches. One direction leads toward advanced clinical practice. The other leads toward management, executive leadership, and education. These roles require RN licensure as a baseline, but state boards of nursing don’t govern them the way they govern clinical credentials. The market governs them instead.
Nurse managers oversee unit staff and operations. Nurse executives, including chief nursing officers, handle system-level strategy and policy. Both career tracks typically require a bachelor’s degree at minimum, and employers increasingly prefer candidates with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Master of Business Administration (MBA) for executive positions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that business support services and the federal government are among the highest-paying industries for nursing professionals nationally.
Nurse educators work in academic programs, hospital staff development, and clinical simulation centers. Teaching at the college level generally requires a master’s degree in nursing, and most tenure-track faculty positions require a doctorate. Demand is real: the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has documented nursing faculty shortages that have contributed to qualified applicants being turned away from programs. If clinical teaching is your goal, pursuing graduate education specifically in nursing education opens the most doors.
How to Become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
Advanced practice registered nurses take on clinical roles that overlap significantly with physicians, including diagnosing and treating patients, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, and, in most states, prescribing medications. APRNs require at least a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), though many programs now offer entry at the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) level. There are four recognized APRN roles:
- Nurse practitioner (NP)
- Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
- Certified nurse midwife (CNM)
- Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
Each role requires completing an accredited graduate program focused on that specialty, passing a national certification exam, and meeting your state’s APRN licensing requirements. National certification is issued by specialty-specific boards:
The employment picture for APRNs is among the strongest of any occupation tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners is projected to grow 35 percent from 2024 to 2034, far ahead of the national average across all occupations. About 32,700 APRN positions are expected to open each year over that period.
| APRN Role |
Minimum Education |
2024 Median Annual Salary |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) |
MSN or DNP |
$129,210 |
| Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) |
MSN or DNP |
$128,790 |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) |
DNP (doctoral entry now required; verify current AANA/NBCRNA requirements) |
$231,700 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024. CRNA programs have transitioned to doctoral-level entry. Verify current requirements with the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) and the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). All APRN roles require state licensure in addition to national certification, and the scope of practice varies by state.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Nurse?
The time to licensure depends entirely on which credential you’re pursuing. Here’s a realistic picture of each path:
LPN: Approximately 12 to 18 months
Most LPN programs are offered as certificates through community colleges and vocational schools. Full-time students typically complete them in about a year. Part-time options extend the timeline. After completing the program, you’ll apply to take the NCLEX-PN, which can be scheduled within weeks of graduation.
RN with an ADN: 2 to 3 years
Associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) programs take two to three years for full-time students, including clinical hours. Community colleges offer most ADN programs. If you hold an LPN credential, bridge programs may reduce the time needed. After graduation, you sit for the NCLEX-RN.
RN with a BSN: 4 years
Traditional BSN programs run four years at a college or university. Accelerated programs exist for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, compressing the nursing coursework into 12 to 18 months. RN-to-BSN programs allow working RNs to add the BSN, typically over 1 to 2 years part-time.
APRN: 6 to 9 years from high school
APRN roles require an RN license and a master’s or doctoral degree in an APRN specialty. That typically means a four-year BSN, followed by a two to three-year MSN or DNP program, plus the national certification exam for your specialty. Working RNs can enter MSN programs while practicing, which many do through part-time or online options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an LPN and an RN?
LPNs provide basic, supervised patient care under the direction of RNs and physicians. Their scope of practice is more limited and varies by state. RNs have a broader scope, including care planning, patient assessment, and medication administration across more complex clinical settings. RNs also earn significantly more and have more options for advancement.
Do I need a BSN to become a registered nurse?
No. You can sit for the NCLEX-RN with an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a nursing diploma. However, many hospitals and health systems now prefer or require a BSN for hiring, and some states have enacted BSN-advancement legislation, though requirements vary and continue to evolve. If you start with an ADN, RN-to-BSN bridge programs let you complete the degree while working.
What is the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)?
The Next Generation NCLEX launched in April 2023 for both the NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN. It replaces the older multiple-choice-dominant format with question types that test clinical judgment more directly, including layered case studies, extended multiple response, and enhanced hot spot items. The exam still adapts to your performance, but the content is designed to reflect the complexity of real clinical decision-making.
What does an APRN do differently from a regular RN?
APRNs have an advanced level of clinical training that allows them to diagnose conditions, develop treatment plans, and, in most states, prescribe medications independently or in collaboration with a physician. Nurse practitioners, for example, often function as primary care providers. Nurse anesthetists administer anesthesia for surgeries and procedures. These roles require a master’s or doctoral degree and national certification beyond the RN license.
Is nursing a good career for job security?
Yes, by any standard measure. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5 percent growth for RNs through 2034, with roughly 166,100 new positions expected over the decade. For APRNs, the outlook is even stronger at 35 percent projected growth. Demand is driven by an aging population, an increase in chronic conditions, and ongoing healthcare system expansion.
Key Takeaways
- Nursing credentials are built in steps: LPN leads to RN, RN leads to BSN, and BSN leads to APRN. Each level requires more education and opens more clinical and career options.
- LPN and RN licensure require NCLEX exams administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). APRN roles require national certification exams specific to each specialty, plus state licensure. Since April 2023, both the NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN use the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) format.
- The BSN is increasingly preferred by many hospitals and health systems, and some states have enacted BSN-advancement legislation for licensed nurses. Check your state Board of Nursing for current requirements.
- APRNs, including nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists, are among the fastest-growing occupations in the U.S., with 35 percent job growth projected from 2024 to 2034 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- The time to become a nurse ranges from about one year for an LPN to six or more years for an APRN. Most credential levels can be pursued through part-time or online options while working.
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Laura Bennett, MPH is a public health professional with over 12 years of experience in community health education and program coordination. She specializes in helping aspiring professionals explore flexible education pathways, including online and hybrid public health degree programs. Laura is passionate about making public health careers more accessible through practical, accredited training
2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, registered nurses, and nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners represent national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2025.
