HOW TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL NURSE IN THE USA

There are currently two ways to be come a professional registered nurse in the USA.

• Associate degree (AS): This is a two-year program offered by universities or junior colleges. This program focuses on the basic sciences, theoretical and clinical aspects of the nursing practice. 
• Baccalaureate degree (BSN): This is a four-year program offered by colleges or universities. In addition to taking the courses offered in the associate degree, they take course in the humanities, art, and social studies to support the nursing practice. 

Most schools require you to take the Pre-Nursing Entrance Exam such as the  Pre-NLN or the TEAS. Some schools have their own exam. Others accept you as pre-nursing students and then you become a nursing student after you successfully complete all the pre-requisite courses. 

Here is  a link with very useful information and practice test on the TEAS exam. You can check it out by clicking on the link below.

TEAS Info 

Both the graduate of the AS or BSN degrees eligible to take the National Council Licensure  Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) in the state in which they intend to practice.  

A person with BSN degree can take his/her education to a higher level. Graduate education can be done at the masters or doctoral levels.

• Master's Education: This level provides advance clinical skills, basic science and research-based skills. The degree offered include, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Master of Arts in Nursing (MA in nursing), or Master of Nursing (MN). For those who want to be nurse practitioners, nurse specialist, nurse administrators, or nurse educators, a master's degree is required.
• Doctoral Education: 

1. One of the degrees offered is  DSN or DNSc. This program provides a more advance study in nursing and emphasizes the application of research findings to the clinical setting.
2. The other degree is Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in nursing: This program emphasizes more on research and theory. 

With the advancement in technology and health informatics, more people with doctoral degrees are needed. They are also needed to educate nursing students in the undergraduate and advanced levels.