How to Become a Registered Nurse (RN)

Educational ConsiderationsNursing is a diverse and complex field with many professional roles.

Associate Degrees in Nursing (ADN-RN) are offered at community colleges and may be a faster route to getting into the field.
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN-RN) is more desirable to healthcare facilities, typically results in more opportunities for advancement, and is required to get into an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) program.
RN to BSN programs are for students who have an ADN and would like to earn their BSN.
Confused? Review our guide to levels of nursing (PDF) and consider all your route options, below.

OSU offers 3 distinct options for students working towards their RN goals.

Students pursuing OSU's BSN program typically complete their first two years of required prerequisite coursework at OSU or another regionally accredited school. In the year prior to completing your required prerequisite coursework you will need to apply for admission to the OSU BSN professional school program (typically late fall of your second year). Applications are competitive and acceptance is not guaranteed. Admitted students take professional school nursing coursework in their third and fourth years at OSU. Currently, OSU is only accepting students to start their professional nursing coursework at the start of each fall semester.
OSU's RN to BSN route is only available to Registered Nurses (RNs) who have already completed an ADN program.
OSU's Pre-Nursing Certificate is designed to assist in completion of prerequisite coursework, but is not required. This is a stand alone certificate, not a bachelor's degree or minor. Completion of the certificate, alone, will not automatically make you more competitive for your particular nursing program. The certificate can be a helpful way to earn your nursing prerequisites. However, every nursing program has individual admissions requirements and prerequisites. Please confirm the individual nursing program's admissions requirements for every school you plan to later apply to.

2 Ways to Earn an RN: Associate (ADN) or Bachelor (BSN) Degree

ADN and BSN programs are all competitive and lead to the same RN credential after passing the NCLEX exam.

Not Sure Where to Start? Guide to the Levels of Nursing (PDF) Find Your Nursing Path: Comparison Tool Compare Common Routes for an OSU Student

No matter what route you decide, remember that everyone's pathway to become a nurse is different. The nursing profession offers a wide variety of career opportunities through multiple levels of nursing education and professional practice options.

3 Routes: Become a Registered Nurse (RN)

2 Years at OSU + BSN Program

Earn your prerequisites, then finish your degree in nursing.

1: Take Prerequisite Coursework
Study at OSU for 2 years (more/less depending on your academic/self-development) to complete all your prerequisite courses for an accredited nursing program. It is your responsibility to keep track of the requirements of the program you plan to apply to.
2: Apply to BSN Program

Apply to an accredited BSN (traditional) program of your choice. If accepted, begin your RN professional nursing coursework.

OSU students considering OSU's BSN program must complete a professional school secondary application (NursingCAS) for admissions consideration. Acceptance is not guaranteed.
Key Differences
- By the end of your nursing program, you will be awarded your nursing degree (BSN) by the program who provided your nursing education. You may then take your state licensing exam to become an officially recognized RN.
- Ideal for students who want to attend a BSN at OSU or at another school.

BSN Program

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- 2 year "Traditional" BSN Program
- Timeline: 2 years of prerequisite coursework + 2 years in "Traditional" BSN program for a total of 4 years.
- Typically 50-60 credit hours of prerequisite coursework required for admission.
- Can apply without a bachelor's degree completed if you meet all admissions requirements.
- Qualifies you to take your registered nursing (RN) board exams, the NCLEX.
- A BSN is required for post-graduate education in specialized nursing (APRN, Nurse Practitioner, etc), and typically results in more opportunities for advancement and is more desirable to healthcare facilities.
- OSU's BSN Program

RN to BSN Program at OSU-Stillwater

If you are a licensed nurse (RN) with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and want to complete your bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), OSU-Stillwater offers an 100% online RN to BSN program. This program is only for licensed nurses.

1: Earn an Associate Degree in Nursing
- Attend an accredited Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program of your choice (OSU-Stillwater does not offer an ADN).
- OSU-Oklahoma City and OSU-Institute of Technology (Okmulgee, OK) both offer ADN programs, and there are many more in the state.
- You may take the registered nursing (RN) board exams, the NCLEX, after earning your Associate.
2: Earn your RN & Apply

After passing the NCLEX, you will be a Registered Nurse (RN). You may then apply to OSU's RN to BSN program. Many students apply in the last year semester of their ADN.
Key Differences
- You do not attend OSU-Stillwater initially.
- This program was designed for working RNs who have their Associates in Nursing (ADN) and would like a Bachelor Degree (BSN). A BSN is required for post-graduate education in specialized nursing (APRN, Nurse Practitioner, etc), and typically results in more opportunities for advancement and is more desirable to healthcare facilities.

Learn more about OSU's RN to BSN Program

OSU Bachelor's + BSN Program

Earn a degree while qualifying for a BSN program.

1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree
Earn a bachelor's degree (of your choice, other than nursing) at OSU and complete all of your prerequisite courses for an accredited RN program. If your selected bachelor's degree does not include your required program's nursing prerequisites, you may consider adding OSU's pre-nursing certificate. It is your responsibility to keep track of the requirements of the programs you plan to apply to.
2: Apply to an RN Program

Apply to an accredited BSN (traditional or accelerated) program of your choice. If accepted, begin your RN professional nursing coursework.

OSU students considering OSU's BSN program must complete a professional school secondary application (NursingCAS) for admissions consideration. Acceptance is not guaranteed.
Key Differences
- By completion, you will have earned a non-nursing bachelor's degree from OSU and a BSN from your nursing school. You may then take your state licensing exam to become an officially recognized RN.
- Ideal for students who want to earn a non-nursing Bachelor's Degree before attending nursing school.

BSN Program Types

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- 2 year "Traditional" BSN program
- Timeline: 4 years of first Bachelor's Degree (including prerequisite coursework) + 2 years in "Traditional" BSN program for a total of 6 years.
- Can apply with a bachelor's degree completed if you meet all admissions requirements.
- Qualifies you to take your registered nursing (RN) board exams, the NCLEX.
- A BSN is required for post-graduate education in specialized nursing (APRN, Nurse Practitioner, etc), and typically results in more opportunities for advancement and is more desirable to healthcare facilities.
- OSU's BSN (Traditional) Program.
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Typically 12-15 month "Accelerated" BSN program.
- This option is ONLY for students who complete a bachelor's degree prior to program entry and meet all admissions requirements, including prerequisite coursework.
- Qualifies you to take your registered nursing (RN) board exams, the NCLEX.
- A BSN is required for post-graduate education in specialized nursing (APRN, Nurse Practitioner, etc), and typically results in more opportunities for advancement and is more desirable to healthcare facilities.
- What is an Accelerated Nursing Program?