Your step‑by‑step path to a nursing career in the US
Thinking about nursing but unsure where to start? Here’s how to turn interest into a licensed role, from choosing the pathway to taking the NCLEX and landing your first job.
You might love patient care, want a stable job with meaning, or be ready to grow beyond your current role. Nursing offers several entry points, different timelines, and clear steps to a license. This page walks you through the main pathways (LPN/LVN, RN, and advanced practice), how to vet programs, what the NCLEX and state licensure involve, and how to plan your first year on the job—using public, verifiable sources and plain-English checklists you can act on.
First decision: which nursing role fits your goals and timeline?
- LPN/LVN (licensed practical/vocational nurse): shorter training, focused bedside and basic care; duties and supervision vary by state. Your state board sets exact scope and licensure steps, explained in the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s overview of licensure. NCSBN licensure. (ncsbn.org)
- RN (registered nurse): three main education paths—associate degree in nursing (ADN), bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), or a hospital diploma from an approved program—followed by state licensure. See the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) summary of RN education paths. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. (bls.gov)
- Advanced practice (APRN: NP, CNS, CNM, CRNA): graduate education plus national certification and state APRN licensure after you’re an RN. Your board lists exact requirements; start with NCSBN’s licensure pages. State licensure requirements.
If you’re still mapping the broader landscape of health careers, our overview helps you compare roles and training time before you commit. See how to choose a health career.
How to vet a nursing program before you apply
- Confirm the program is approved by your state board of nursing (required for eligibility to sit for the NCLEX and for licensure). State links are collected by NCSBN. Boards of Nursing.
- Check specialized nursing accreditation. Recognized accreditors include the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for baccalaureate, graduate and residency programs—you can search its directory—and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), which accredits programs across all levels. CCNE program directory; About ACEN. (directory.ccnecommunity.org)
- Verify that the accreditor itself is recognized. CCNE is listed by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CHEA on CCNE. (chea.org)
- Compare format and fit: schedule (day/evening/online with in‑person clinicals), total cost of attendance, clinical placement support, graduation and first‑time NCLEX pass rates reported by the school or your state board.
If you’re weighing other entry-level options with shorter schooling, read about a medical assistant career or explore the path and pay for a dental hygienist.
RN, LPN/LVN or APRN: side‑by‑side differences you can act on
- Time to qualification: LPN/LVN programs are generally shorter; RN preparation follows ADN, BSN or diploma routes; APRN requires graduate education after RN. See BLS on RN education paths and NCSBN for licensure categories. BLS on RN paths; NCSBN licensure overview.
- Where you can work: Hospitals, clinics, long‑term care, home health and more. State practice acts define what each license may do; your board’s site is the source of truth. Start from NCSBN’s state links. Find your board.
- Mobility: If you live in a Nurse Licensure Compact state and meet the criteria, an RN or LPN/LVN can obtain one multistate license to practice across compact states. Check participation and rules before you plan a move or travel assignment. NCSBN on the NLC. (ncsbn.org)
The practical steps: from application to license
- Choose your pathway and program. Confirm state approval and CCNE or ACEN accreditation as above. CCNE directory; About ACEN.
- Complete required coursework and supervised clinicals per program and state rules. Education paths for RNs are summarized by BLS. BLS RN overview.
- Apply to your state board of nursing for licensure by examination and meet any background or documentation checks. Use NCSBN’s links to your board. State BON application.
- Register for the NCLEX with Pearson and wait for your Authorization to Test (ATT); the official NCLEX Candidate Bulletin explains timing and required steps. NCLEX Candidate Bulletin. (nclex.com)
- Take the NCLEX and receive results through your board. If you pass, the board issues your license; if you’re in an NLC state and eligible, you can pursue a multistate license. NLC guidance.
After you’re licensed: prove it, keep it, and plan your first year
- Verify status for employers using your board’s license lookup; state sites are linked from NCSBN. Find your board.
- Know renewal rules early. Continuing education and renewal cycles vary by state and by license type (RN vs. LPN/LVN vs. APRN); your board sets the requirements. Start with NCSBN’s licensure pages, then read your state’s specifics. Licensure and renewal basics.
- Map growth options. Some employers prefer or require a BSN for clinical ladders; APRN roles require graduate education and certification after RN licensure. See the BLS overview of RN education and advanced roles. BLS RN profile.
A quick checklist you can use today
- Decide: LPN/LVN or RN now; APRN later?
- Verify: state board approval and CCNE/ACEN accreditation.
- Compare: total cost, schedule, clinical placements, NCLEX pass rates.
- Plan: application deadlines, financial aid, and study time.
- Execute: apply to your board, register for NCLEX, test with your ATT in hand.
- Maintain: track renewal dates and CE per your state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to start working as a nurse?
Licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) programs are typically shorter than RN programs, but scope of practice and pay differ by state and setting. Confirm education and licensure requirements with your state board of nursing and whether you’ll later bridge to RN. See NCSBN’s licensure overview for state links.
Do I need a BSN to become an RN?
No. You can qualify as an RN with an associate degree in nursing (ADN), a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), or a hospital diploma from an approved program. Your state board of nursing licenses you after you pass the NCLEX-RN. Many employers prefer or require a BSN for some roles. Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
How do I know if a nursing program is legitimate?
Check two things: state board approval and specialized nursing accreditation. In the US, recognized nursing accreditors include CCNE and ACEN; you can search CCNE’s directory and verify ACEN recognition. Accreditation supports program quality and may affect licensure and financial aid.
What is the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?
In NLC states, a qualified nurse can hold one multistate license to practice (physically or via telehealth) in other compact states. If you plan to move or take travel assignments, check whether your state participates and whether you meet compact requirements. See NCSBN’s NLC guidance.
What exam do I take to get licensed?
After completing an approved program, you’ll apply to your state board and register for the NCLEX through Pearson. You need board eligibility and an Authorization to Test (ATT) before scheduling. The NCLEX Candidate Bulletin explains registration and testing steps.
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