Nursing is one of those rare careers where you can make a real difference while stepping into a field with steady, long-term demand. RN jobs in the U.S. are expected to keep growing through 2034, and advanced roles like nurse practitioners are growing even quicker, over 35–40% across the next decade, according to federal labor projections.
There’s no single path into nursing, either. You can ease in with an entry-level role or start with a full degree program. This guide breaks down how to get started in 2026, whether you’re simply curious or ready to earn your license.
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Step 1: Decide what kind of nurse you want to be
Step 2: Make sure you meet basic nursing school requirements
Step 3: Choose your education path
Step 4: Get hands-on clinical experience
Step 5: Pass your licensing exam and get your state license
Step 1: Decide what kind of nurse you want to be
Before you start applying to schools, it helps to understand the main entry points into nursing. You don’t have to lock in your forever plan, but picking a starting level gives you a clear path.
Here are the most common starting roles:
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- What they do: Help patients with daily activities (bathing, dressing, eating), take basic vital signs, and support nurses in hospitals, long-term care, and rehab facilities.
- Training: Short certificate program (often 4–12 weeks), plus a state competency exam.
- Why this path: Fastest way to get into patient care and see if you truly like the nursing environment.
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN)
- What they do: Provide basic medical care (wound care, monitoring, giving certain medications depending on state law), often in clinics, nursing homes, and home health.
- Training: 1–2-year practical nursing program + the NCLEX-PN licensing exam.
- Why this path: Great option if you want more responsibility than a CNA and a relatively quick route into nursing.
Registered Nurse (RN)
- What they do: Coordinate and deliver patient care, educate patients and families, administer medications, oversee CNAs/LPNs, and work with doctors and specialists.
- Training options:
- ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing): Usually 2–3 years at a community or technical college.
- BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing): Typically 4 years at a university.
- Licensure: NCLEX-RN exam required in all U.S. states and territories.
- Why this path: The “standard” nursing role with solid pay, mobility, and lots of specialty options.
Nurse Practitioner (NP) and Other Advanced Practice Roles
- What they do: Provide advanced care, often similar to a physician in primary or specialty settings (diagnosing, prescribing, ordering tests).
- Training:
- RN + BSN
- Graduate degree (MSN or DNP) in an advanced practice specialty
- National certification and state advanced practice license
- Why this path: For people who eventually want more autonomy, higher pay, or to specialize deeply.
If you’re just starting out, you don’t have to think all the way to NP yet. Many people start as a CNA, become an LPN, then move into an RN role, and eventually pursue NP training. You can also choose to go directly to RN (ADN or BSN) if you’re ready for a 2–4 year degree.
Step 2: Make sure you meet basic nursing school requirements
Most nursing paths, even the entry-level ones, have some baseline requirements. While details vary by school and state, you’ll typically need:
- A high school diploma or GED
- A minimum GPA (often around 2.5–3.0 or higher)
- Prerequisite courses such as biology, chemistry, algebra, and sometimes psychology or anatomy
- An entrance exam for many RN programs, often the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) or a similar test like HESI.
- Proof of immunizations, CPR certification, and sometimes a physical exam
- A background check and fingerprinting before starting clinicals (states are serious about patient safety)
Some states add extra steps. For example, in Texas you may need to pass a jurisprudence exam about state nursing laws in addition to the NCLEX if you’re becoming an RN there. Many states have similar legal or ethics requirements baked into licensing.
If you’re still in high school or just finishing it, focus on:
- Science (biology, chemistry, anatomy if available)
- Math (algebra, statistics)
- Communication/English (writing and speaking skills are huge in nursing)
Step 3: Choose your education path
This is the part that can feel overwhelming, but it’s really about matching your timeline, budget, and goals.
Path A: Start as a CNA
- Program length: Around 1–3 months
- Where to study: Community colleges, vocational schools, some hospital-based programs
- Pros:
- Very quick entry into healthcare
- Hands-on patient experience right away
- Great for “testing the waters” before committing to a longer degree
- Cons:
- Lower pay compared to LPNs and RNs
- You’ll likely need more education later to advance
This path is a great way to find out if nursing is right for you.
Path B: Become an LPN/LVN
- Program length: Typically 12–18 months
- Outcome: Eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN and become licensed as an LPN/LVN.
- Pros:
- More responsibility and pay than a CNA
- Faster than a full RN degree
- Many LPNs later bridge to RN programs
- Cons:
- Some hospitals prefer RNs for certain roles
- Scope of practice is more limited than RNs (varies by state)
LPN/LVN programs usually include courses like anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and nursing fundamentals, plus clinical hours in real healthcare settings.
Path C: Become an RN Through an ADN
- Program length: 2–3 years
- Where: Community and technical colleges
- Outcome: Eligible for the NCLEX-RN and RN licensure.
- Pros:
- Faster and often more affordable than a 4-year BSN
- Same NCLEX-RN as BSN graduates
- Many employers offer tuition help for ADN-RNs who later complete a BSN
- Cons:
- Some hospitals, especially major teaching or magnet hospitals, prefer or require BSNs for certain roles or promotions
- This is common for career changers who want to become an RN fairly quickly and then “stack” more education later.
Path D: Become an RN Through a BSN
- Program length: 4 years (or 1–2 years for an accelerated BSN if you already have a non-nursing degree)
- Outcome: NCLEX-RN eligibility and RN licensure.
- Pros:
- Stronger foundation in leadership, research, and community health
- Preferred in many competitive hospitals
- Required for some advanced roles and graduate programs
- Cons:
- Takes longer and may cost more up front
If you’re thinking long-term like leadership roles, advanced practice, or a wide range of options, a BSN is a very solid starting point.
Step 4: Get hands-on clinical experience
No matter which path you pick, clinical experience is non-negotiable in nursing.
- CNA and LPN programs incorporate supervised practice in long-term care, clinics, or hospitals.
- RN programs (ADN or BSN) typically include hundreds of clinical hours in multiple specialties such as medical-surgical, pediatrics, obstetrics, mental health, community health.
This is where you’ll:
- Learn how to work with real patients and real families
- Practice skills like taking vital signs, giving medications, and documenting care
- Build your confidence and your ability to think on your feet
- Discover what specialties you’re drawn to (ER? Pediatrics? ICU? Home health?)
Some people also work as CNAs or techs while in school to gain extra experience and income.
Grapefruit Health, a strategic partner of Prolink, helps nursing students gain hands-on experience while still in school. Grapefruit students get paid for supervised telehealth sessions that help them learn vital communication and care coordination skills.
Visit grapefruit.health to learn more.
Step 5: Pass your licensing exam and get your state license
Once you finish your program, you will need to pass your licensing exam and apply for a license.
Common licensing steps:
- Apply to your state board of nursing (or equivalent)
- Complete a background check and fingerprints
- Receive authorization to test (often called an ATT)
- Schedule and take your exam (CNA exam, NCLEX-PN, or NCLEX-RN depending on your path)
- Once you pass, your board issues your license
- Start applying for jobs as a newly licensed nurse
For nurse practitioners and other advanced practice roles, there’s an extra layer: national certification in your specialty plus an advanced practice license from your state.
Step 6: Land your first nursing job (and pick a direction)
Your first role doesn’t lock you into a track forever; think of it more like your launch pad.
Common first roles for new nurses include:
- Medical-surgical nurse (great foundation for almost anything)
- Long-term care/rehab
- Clinic or primary care offices
- Home health or hospice
- Emergency department or step-down units (sometimes after a bit of experience)
Over time, you can move into specialties like cardiac, oncology, pediatrics, ICU, OR, labor & delivery, school nursing, occupational health, and many more. One of the biggest perks of nursing is that lateral moves are normal. You can shift settings or specialties without changing careers entirely.
Step 7: Keep growing through continuing education
Nursing isn’t “one and done” when it comes to education. Every state requires continuing education to renew your license (for example, some states require 20–30 hours every two years). Hospitals and larger employers often provide in-house training or tuition assistance.
You can go back for:
- RN-to-BSN programs if you started with an ADN
- MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) for advanced roles like NP, nurse educator, or nurse leader
- DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) if you want a terminal clinical degree
This is part of what makes nursing future-proof: as healthcare changes, your skills and credentials can grow with it.
You don’t have it have it all figured out
To start a nursing career in 2026, you don’t need a perfect long-term plan. You just need:
- A starting level (CNA, LPN, ADN-RN, or BSN-RN)
- The right education and prerequisites
- A plan to get licensed in your state
- A willingness to keep learning once you’re in
From there, nursing gives you space to grow into specialties, leadership roles, or even advanced practice. If you’re driven to help people and willing to put in the work, it can become an incredibly meaningful and rewarding career.
If you're a licensed nurse or recent grad looking to land a new job, you're in the right place—Prolink works with health systems across the country to find the best nurses and allied health clinicians for top roles. Whether you're looking for a temporary or permanent position, local to you or in an exciting new destination, our expert recruiters will help you find the right fit. Connect with one today or click below to search nursing jobs now.
