Different pathways to become a registered nurse
There are various pathways of education for people wishing to become registered nurses in the US. No matter the route they take, all culminate into taking a National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) exam.
It is a standard examination that boards of nursing in every US state set to determine if a candidate is well-prepared for an entry-level nursing practice. The first step for applicants to get licensure is to complete their accredited nursing degree before applying to sit for an NCLEX-RN exam.