Quickest Way to Become a Registered Nurse
Registered nurses often have completed four-year degrees before taking their national licensing exams. But a two-year associate's degree could be all you need to start working as an RN, though getting more education later will put you on the track to better jobs and wages.
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Instructions
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Instructions
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Enroll in an associate's or nursing diploma program. Would-be registered nurses have several options for nursing education: an associate's degree, diploma program or bachelor's degree. A bachelor's degree takes four years of full-time study, a nursing diploma program, which is available at hospitals, takes three, and an associate's degree takes two.
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Complete any prerequisite courses before beginning your nursing studies. Some associate's programs require previous coursework in biology, chemistry and mathematics before starting, which could lengthen your studies past two years. Check with your local program to find out.
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Schedule an exam date after completing your studies. Registered nurses must take the National Council Licensure Examination. Contact your state board of nursing to schedule your testing date. As of 2010, it cost $200 to take the NCLEX-RN.
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Complete other state requirements. Some states require registered nurses to take additional exams, such as tests of nursing ethics and local laws. The state nursing board has a list of all exams needed to become an RN.
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Consent to a criminal background check. Most states require that RN applicants pass a background check, and this may require submitting a set of fingerprints. Applicants with felonies in their backgrounds may face challenges getting approved by the state board of nursing.
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Tips & Warnings
When researching local programs, compare online and on-campus programs. Colleges and universities usually have evening, weekend and online options for nursing students who have commitments during daytime hours.
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