Registered Nurses

Build Your Nursing Career in the United States

To apply for a Registered Nurse in the US, you must complete one of the following nursing programs:

• An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which typically takes 2-3 years, is offered at community colleges and some universities.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which typically takes 4 years. Preferred by many employers, especially hospitals.

If a foreign national is applying to work as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the United States, then he/she:

1. Must have completed a nursing program equivalent to US RN education (ADN or BSN), as mentioned above.
2. Unless educated in an English-speaking country, nurses must pass IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL.
3. Must apply to a US state board of nursing and pass the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses). Candidates can take the NCLEX-RN in the US or at international testing centers.
4. Must have a VisaScreen certificate as it verifies education equivalency, licensure, English proficiency, and NCLEX-RN eligibility or passing.

After licensure, RNs can earn certifications in specialties such as Critical Care (CCRN), Emergency Nursing (CEN), Pediatrics (CPN), Oncology (OCN), and Geriatrics, among others.