Education · 1 of 5

The path

Two routes lead to the same license. One is cheaper, one opens more doors later.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Biology, chemistry, algebra and English. Get a job or volunteer post inside a hospital or care home as early as you can, because admissions committees count it.

2. 2

   Pick your degree

   2 or 4 years

   An associate degree in nursing at a community college, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at a university. Both end in the same license. Many hospitals now prefer or require the bachelor's for new hires.

3. 3

   Clinical rotations

   Built into the degree

   Supervised hours on real wards inside your program: medical, surgical, pediatric, obstetric and mental health. This is where you find out whether you can do the job.

4. 4

   Pass the national exam

   6 to 12 weeks after graduation

   The NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) is computer adaptive: it gets harder when you answer well and stops when it knows enough. Most graduates pass first time.

5. 5

   License and first job

   A few weeks to a few months

   Apply to the board of nursing in your state. Hospitals run new graduate residency programs of 6 to 12 months to get you onto a ward safely.