Can you become an RN in two years?

Yes, you can become a registered nurse (RN) in two years. An RN can start with a vocational degree (one to two years) or an associate's degree (two years) in nursing after passing the exam.

Once the educational requirements are met, an applicant must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become licensed by the State.

The NCLEX-RN is divided into four main areas of focus; providing a safe and effective care environment, health promotion and maintenance, psychosocial integrity, and physiological integrity. Most applicants spend one to two months preparing for the exam.

In 2018, roughly 43% of registered nurses were required to have a bachelor's degree, 31% were required to have a vocational associate's degree, and 20% were required to have an associate's degree. Most RNs who have an associate's degree go on to get their Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN).

The two-year nursing programs can be of two types; associate's degree in nursing ADN or an associate of science in nursing (ASN). There is also the option to complete a licensed practical nursing (LPN) or licensed vocational nursing (LVN) program, which can take as little as one year.

The main difference between them is that an LPN / LVN is not technically a degree in nursing, the applicant must pass the NCLEX-PN exam in order to obtain a license to practice nursing, and some states may require further credentials.

The ADN or the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) is a two to a three-year program and is considered the entry-level for nursing. The difference in mean annual salary for those with an ADN or ASN (Mean Salary: $75,330) is substantially higher compared to someone with an LPN/LVN (Mean Salary: $48,820).