A nationwide shortage of registered nurses (RNs) is challenging our healthcare system, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 193,100 openings for registered nurses will be available each year through 2032. The in-demand skills of registered nurses are critical to achieving positive health outcomes, and it’s a great time to join the ranks of this essential profession.
If you’re interested in becoming a registered nurse, you should know that nursing ranks among the most challenging yet rewarding professions. Nurses are highly respected professionals who bring years of training and expertise to the front line of healthcare. A nurse may bear responsibility for attending to the needs of numerous types of patients across a wide range of healthcare settings.
However, the level of responsibility — and the degree of compensation you may expect as a working nurse — is largely a reflection of the level of nursing education you’ve achieved. What are the educational requirements for a registered nurse? Anyone who’s considering enrolling in a nursing degree program can benefit from exploring registered nurse education requirements and what it takes to become an RN.
Why Earn a Registered Nursing Degree?
If you’re just beginning to explore nursing, it can be helpful to understand how registered nursing differs from other types of nursing. Earning a registered nursing degree and becoming a registered nurse qualifies an individual to assume a relatively greater level of responsibility.
In contrast to registered nurses, licensed practical nurses (LPNs), for example, aren’t qualified to perform all the important duties that may be required of RNs, such as administering intravenous medications, supervising other nurses, and performing simple procedures. Nor may they work without direct supervision.
Although there are plenty of employment opportunities for LPNs, who typically have only earned a practical nursing diploma or certificate, increasingly there’s a trend toward hiring degreed RNs to fill vacancies, especially in acute care settings. RNs also typically earn higher salaries than LPNs.
RN Education: What Degree Do You Need to Be an RN?
What type of RN education does it take to become a registered nurse? RN licensure requirements vary by state, but at a minimum, the path to becoming a registered nurse usually involves earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which will qualify a candidate to take the standardized National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Only after passing this exam and gaining state licensure may an individual work as a registered nurse. This is true in all states and the District of Columbia. Some states may also have additional licensure requirements.
Completing an ADN program is just one option for earning the degree you need to be a registered nurse. Aspiring registered nurses can choose to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree before taking the NCLEX-RN. While this option extends the time it takes to become a registered nurse, it provides aspiring registered nurses with more in-depth instruction and more extensive skills and expertise. It can also enhance the career and earning prospects of registered nurses, as employers increasingly prefer hiring RNs with a bachelor’s degree.
The two options for satisfying registered nurse education requirements are discussed in more detail below.
The ADN Route
Most ADN programs involve about two years of study after high school graduation, usually in a community college or trade school. Some individuals may be able to complete an accelerated ADN program, which includes prerequisite requirements, in a shorter time frame.
ADN students typically focus on topics related directly to human anatomy, physiology, and medicine. Examples include adult and family health, psychiatric nursing, pharmacology, and human development. Upon completion of required coursework and graduation, ADN students are typically prepared to take the NCLEX-RN.
The BSN Route
Increasingly, employers are interested in hiring registered nurses with additional education. More specifically, they look to candidates with a BSN degree. Earning a BSN typically takes about four years. However, some individuals with nonnursing education experience may be able to complete a BSN in less than two years through an accelerated BSN program. Additionally, registered nurses who’ve earned their ADN can choose to further their education — and career and earning prospects — by completing an RN to BSN program.
Courses required of BSN students typically involve a broader scope and offer deeper exposure to humanities-related subjects. This approach is common among virtually all bachelor’s-level degrees, whether one is pursuing a degree in education, marketing, journalism, or nursing. BSN coursework tends to delve more deeply into areas related to administration, leadership, and critical thinking. Courses may include topics such as community health, professional issues in nursing, healthcare management, or nursing research.
As the advantages of earning a BSN become clearer, more individuals are entering registered nursing with a BSN. According to the 2022 National Nursing Workforce Survey published in the Journal of Nursing Regulation:
- In 2015, a total of 39% of new registered nurses entered the profession with a bachelor’s degree.
- In 2022, a total of 47.2% of new registered nurses entered the profession with a bachelor’s degree.
Explore Registered Nurse Education Requirement Options
Meeting the requirements for registered nurse education prepares nurses to take the NCLEX-RN and, ultimately, launch a rewarding career in registered nursing. Whether they choose to pursue an ADN or a BSN, aspiring registered nurses can look forward to meaningful work that’s crucial to improving patients’ health.
Individuals who have an interest in registered nursing education can explore Denver College of Nursing’s ADN program (offered on the Denver, Colorado, campus) and its BSN program (offered on the Denver and Houston, Texas, campuses) to learn how those programs can help them reach their nursing career goals. Offering students the opportunity to acquire the expertise necessary to take the NCLEX-RN, these programs can establish the foundation for a fulfilling career in nursing. Start moving on the nursing career path today. DCN also offers online RN to BSN and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs for nurses looking to advance their careers.
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