How To Become a Professional Nurse

Understanding the Nursing Profession

What Do Registered Nurses Do?

Registered nurses (RNs) play¹ a vital role in healthcare by providing direct patient care, assessing patient conditions, administering medications, and collaborating with physicians to create care plans. They also educate patients and families about managing illnesses, treatments, and lifestyle adjustments. In addition to clinical duties, RNs may specialize in various areas such as pediatrics, oncology, or critical care. Their work extends to monitoring patient progress, coordinating with healthcare teams, and ensuring that patients receive the best possible care throughout their treatment journey.

Why Should I Become a Nurse?

From career growth potential to thinking about why you want to become an RN, there are several factors to consider. Nursing is a great career if you want to make a real impact by helping people. It offers a variety of different career opportunities in different specialties and settings. Nurses can work in hospitals, clinics, schools, or even travel. Plus, there's always room to grow and learn new skills. If you're passionate about healthcare and enjoy working with people, nursing is a rewarding and flexible choice.

There are many important qualities⁴ that nurses may apply to daily work. Critical thinking, communication, compassion, physical stamina, attention to detail, and organizational skills. When assessing a patient, nurses go beyond² just looking at test results. Using critical thinking as part of the nursing process, they apply their judgment to combine objective data with the patient's subjective experience, considering their biological, physical, and behavioral needs. This approach ensures that every patient receives the highest quality care, no matter who they are or where they are located.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 6%³ job growth for registered nurses over the next decade, emphasizing the growing demand for healthcare professionals. This job growth potential is expected for most types of healthcare settings, such as hospitals, outpatient care centers, home healthcare, and residential care facilities.

Exploring Nursing Career Paths: Specializations and Opportunities

Types of Nursing Roles

According to the American Nurses Association^®2, there are three categories of nursing roles:

• Registered Nurses (RN)
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN)
• Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)

Each role may require different professional qualifications, education and training. Explore an in-depth look at what each of these roles does in our other article.

Most registered nurses work closely⁵ with other physicians, but their responsibilities may vary depending on their specialty and the patient's needs.

Some nurses may choose to maintain⁵ their RN license and explore roles such as educators, healthcare consultants, or administrators.

Qualifications and Education Requirements for Becoming a Registered Nurse

There are three typical education paths⁴ to becoming a practicing registered nurse:

• A bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)
• An associate degree in nursing (ADN)
• Diploma from approved nursing program

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses must be licensed, passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX^®).

Advanced degrees are also an option for professionals who are interested in a specialized field, which may also require additional education and specialty certification examinations.

Earn a Degree in Nursing

In order to become a professional nurse or RN, students may typically pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing or an associate degree in nursing. Common coursework for both programs may include courses in anatomy, microbiology, psychology, social and behavioral sciences, physiology and more.

According to the BLS⁴, all nursing programs include supervised clinical experience. Many nursing programs may offer online or part-time options for students who need more flexibility.

Diploma Programs in Nursing

Rasmussen offers a Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) licensure that can be completed in as few as 12 months*. Rasmussen University does not offer a diploma program in nursing that will lead to the career outcome of a registered nurse.

Associate Degree in Nursing

Earning an associate degree in nursing at Rasmussen University may take as few as 21 months to complete.* Rasmussen University⁶ offers a hybrid professional nursing program that has offers eight start dates over the year, no need for pre-nursing coursework for admission into the program*, and clinical experiences.

Programs are designed to prepare graduates to utilize and apply the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, and evaluation) to provide care across the life span and in diverse settings.

Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN)

To become a registered nurse, you must complete a nursing education program, such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)¹¹ from Rasmussen University. They offer three entry tracks for students:

• BSN standard degree: For students who haven’t yet earned a nursing diploma or degree and may finish in as few as 33 months*.
• Accelerated BSN second degree: Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree can switch to nursing and may finish in as few as 18 months*.
• RN to BSN: Registered nurses interested in earning their online BSN degree in as few as 12–18 months*.

Rasmussen University offers online and on-campus courses and onsite clinicals. Nursing faculty and other BSN students will work together in state-of-the-art simulation centers and updated labs to practice real-world scenarios. Rasmussen University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.** The program holds a 93% rating for BSN students in Minnesota who passed the NCLEX-RN^® in 2023.***

According to the American Nurses Association^®7, a typical BSN program may include:

• Two years that focus on psychology, human growth and development, biology, microbiology, organic chemistry, nutrition and anatomy and physiology
• Final two years that focus on maternal or child health, adult acute and chronic disease, pediatrics, psychiatric and mental health nursing, community health nursing
• May also include additional courses that "result in a deeper understanding of the cultural, political, economic and social issues that affect patients."
• May examine healthcare policy, economics informatics and health policy

Licensure and Certification

Obtain a Nursing License

To become a licensed registered nurse, candidates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX^®).

Rasmussen University's bachelor's degree in nursing program offers preparation for the NCLEX, from in-person practice and peer support to library and learning services.

Certification Options for Registered Nurses

Earning a certification may qualify a registered nurse for a specialization and demonstrate expertise in a specific area. License and certification requirements⁸ do vary by state but may include an education program, certification examination, licensure examination, and/or fees.

Career Advancement and Specialization

Pursuing Additional Training

If you're interested in specializing in a specific area or adding more responsibility to your role, such as an APRN, consider pursuing additional training or an advanced degree.

Rasmussen University offers two advanced degrees built for working nurses to support continuing education options for registered nurses.

Through the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)⁹, students can select a specialty area, including:

• Healthcare Technology, Simulation, and Informatics
• Nursing Education
• Nursing Leadership and Administration

The program is online with practicum experiences within your local area. Rasmussen University's MSN degree curriculum is aligned with:

• National League for Nursing (NLN) Outcomes and Competencies for Graduates of Nursing Programs

• Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) Competencies

• Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing standards by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)

Rasmussen University’s Master of Science in Nursing Professional Specialization programs are not available to residents of all states. These specializations have not been approved by any state professional licensing body. They are not designed to prepare graduates for any advanced practice nursing license or other state-issued license including but not limited to the following: Nurse Practitioner (NP), Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).

Through the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)¹⁰ program, students may specialize in:

• Executive Leadership
• Public Health and Policy

The program is:

• Online

• Requires a minimum of 1,000 hours of post-baccalaureate practice experiences in order to graduate from the Doctor of Nursing Practice program

• Where students can gain practical experience is encouraged through local opportunities

The DNP program is aligned with:

• National League for Nursing^® (NLN) Education Competencies
• Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) Graduate-Level Competencies
• Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice standards by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing^® (AACN)

Rasmussen University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program is not available to residents of all states. This program is not designed to prepare graduates for any advanced practice nursing license or any other state-issued professional license or certification. This program has not been approved by any state professional licensing agency. For further information on professional licensing requirements please contact the appropriate board or agency in your state of residence.

Job Search and Employment

Finding Employment as a Registered Nurse

Once you’re credentialed and licensed, it's time to search for a position.

Start your job search by looking for positions in your area on popular job boards or by reaching out to local healthcare websites to ask about openings.

Network with other nurses in academic programs or healthcare professionals who may also help you find job opportunities.

Taking the First or Next Step in Your Nursing Career

Explore Rasmussen University's Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing degree¹¹ to see get started.

American Nurses Association^® is a registered trademark of American Nurses Association 8515 Georgia Ave, suite 400 Silver Spring, MARYLAND UNITED STATES 20910.
National League for Nursing^® is a registered trademark of National League for Nursing 2600 Virginia Ave NW Washington, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA UNITED STATES 20037.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing Suite 750 655 K Street Washington, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 20001.
NCLEX^® is a registered trademark of National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. 111 East Wacker Drive Suite 2900 Chicago, ILLINOIS UNITED STATES 60601
*Completion time is dependent on the number of courses completed each term.
**The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Rasmussen University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street, NW Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
***121 of the 130 Rasmussen University BSN graduates in Minnesota (93%) who attempted the NCLEX-RN exam in 2023 passed on their first attempt. Source: https://mn.gov/boards/assets/2023_Annual_Educ_Rpt_tcm21-616787.pdf. Accessed February 5, 2023.

¹Rasmussen University, What Does a Registered Nurse Do?, at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/blog/what-does-a-registered-nurse-do/ (visited Feb. 24, 2025).
²American Nurses Association, What is Nursing?, at https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/what-is-nursing/ (visited Feb. 24, 2025).
³Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-6 (visited Feb. 24, 2025).
⁴Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-4 (visited Feb. 24, 2025).
⁵Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-2 (visited Feb. 24, 2025).
⁶Rasmussen University, Professional Nursing, at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/professional-nursing/ (visited Feb. 24, 2025).
⁷American Nurses Association, How to Become a Nurse, at https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/what-is-nursing/how-to-become-a-nurse/ (visited Feb. 24, 2025).
⁸Rasmussen University, What is the NCLEX?, at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/blog/what-is-the-nclex/ (visited Feb. 24, 2025).
⁹Rasmussen University, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Specialties, at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/master-science-nursing/msn-specialties/ (visited Feb. 24, 2025).
¹⁰Rasmussen University, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/doctor-nursing-practice/ (visited Feb. 24, 2025).
¹¹Rasmussen University, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/bachelor-science-nursing-bsn/ (visited Feb. 24, 2025).