How long does it take to become a registered nurse?

Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do registered nurses make?

The US median is $97,550 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become a registered nurse?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train to become a registered nurse?

2,074 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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How to become a registered nurse

Healthcare (clinical) · SOC 29-1141

$97,550US median pay, 2025

+5.6%Projected growth, 2025–35

180,800Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Bachelor's degree
Work as a registered nurse

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse	CIP 51.3801	1,995
Nursing Practice	CIP 51.3818	307
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing	CIP 51.3805	281
Nursing Administration	CIP 51.3802	214
Nursing Science	CIP 51.3808	148
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing	CIP 51.3810	147
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Other	CIP 51.3899	103
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing	CIP 51.3803	85
Geriatric Nurse/Nursing	CIP 51.3821	41
Critical Care Nursing	CIP 51.3814	40
Pediatric Nurse/Nursing	CIP 51.3809	37
Clinical Nurse Leader	CIP 51.3820	24
Clinical Nurse Specialist	CIP 51.3813	21
Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing	CIP 51.3811	17
Maternal/Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/Nursing	CIP 51.3806	14
Women's Health Nurse/Nursing	CIP 51.3822	14
Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing	CIP 51.3812	10
Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing	CIP 51.3816	9
Forensic Nursing	CIP 51.3824	4
Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing	CIP 51.3815	3
Palliative Care Nursing	CIP 51.3819	3

See the 2,074 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become a registered nurse?: Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do registered nurses make?: The US median is $97,550 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become a registered nurse?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train to become a registered nurse?: 2,074 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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