What state is the easiest to become a nurse?

The "easiest" state to become a nurse often means quick processing and clear requirements, with Arizona, Texas, Georgia, and Tennessee frequently cited for their Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) membership, streamlined online systems, and fast processing times, making them great for new grads and travelers; however, California offers clear steps and no U.S. experience requirement for some foreign nurses. Your easiest state depends on if you're a new grad, a foreign-educated nurse, or a traveler, but look for states with NLC status and efficient online applications for speed.

Which state is easiest to become a nurse?

Top 10 Easiest States to Become a Licensed Nurse

• North Dakota. North Dakota is at the top of our list of states where you can get your RN license quickly. ...
• Arizona. You can get a temporary license on a walk-through basis from the Arizona Board of Nursing. ...
• Alabama. ...
• Hawaii. ...
• Louisiana. ...
• Nevada. ...
• Maryland. ...
• Kentucky.

What is the hardest state to become a nurse in?

Hardest States to Obtain an RN License

1. California.
2. New York.
3. Massachusetts.
4. Hawaii.
5. Nevada.

What is the easiest nurse to become?

The easiest path to becoming a nurse usually means the fastest entry, which is often a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Vocational Nurse (LVN) certificate, taking about a year, or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), taking 2-3 years, both allowing quicker work than a Bachelor's. For those with a prior degree, an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) is fastest, while Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is the quickest non-degree role. "Easiest" also depends on the job, with roles like School Nurse, Case Manager, or Telehealth Nurse often cited as lower-stress, non-bedside options. 

What state is the easiest to pass NCLEX?

If you are looking for the best state for NCLEX or easiest state to pass NCLEX, here are the top 5:

• #1 Connecticut. ...
• #2 Montana. ...
• #3 New York. ...
• #4 Northern Mariana Islands. ...
• #5 South Dakota.

How to Become a Registered Nurse (RN) | 5 Most Common Ways

What state is the fastest to get a nursing license?

Georgia. ‍Georgia notoriously has one of the quickest turnaround times for permanent nursing licensure. After you submit your application and requirements, expect to have your license within 10-14 days. We have plenty of amazing positions available in Georgia that we can get you submitted to quickly!

What is the #1 nursing school in the US?

There isn't one single "number one" nursing school, as rankings vary by source and program type (BSN, MSN, DNP), but Duke University, University of Pennsylvania (Penn Nursing), and Emory University consistently rank at the top, often tied or trading spots, especially for graduate programs, while Southern University was recently named #1 by Nurse.org for its overall impact, notes Southern University and A&M College, Nurse.org and NurseHub. Duke and UPenn often lead BSN rankings alongside Emory, while Southern University's recognition highlights diversity and community impact, says U.S. News & World Report, Bold.org, Nurse.org, NurseHub, Nursing Schools Almanac, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, and AJC.com. 

What is the fastest nurse to become?

The shortest time to become a nurse is about one year for a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN) through a certificate program, or potentially even faster (around 11-16 months) with an accelerated BSN program if you already have a bachelor's degree in another field, though the standard path to becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) is a 2-year ADN or 4-year BSN. The overall fastest route depends on your prior education, but an LPN offers the quickest entry into basic patient care. 

How to make an extra $1000 a month as a nurse?

Telehealth or Triage Nurse

You can find these roles on job boards like Indeed, FlexJobs, or directly on healthcare company websites. The pay ranges from $25 to $45 per hour depending on the company and your level of experience. Working just 10–15 hours a week can bring in an extra $1000 or more.

What is the happiest field of nursing?

Happiest nursing specialties often involve rewarding life moments or offer better work-life balance, with Labor & Delivery/Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Oncology, Informatics, Outpatient/Office, School Nursing, and Nurse Education frequently cited for high satisfaction due to fulfilling patient interactions, diverse settings, or reduced burnout, though individual happiness varies by work environment and personal fit. 

What state needs nurses the most?

States needing nurses the most, based on projected shortfalls by 2030, include California, Texas, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Virginia, with California having the largest numerical deficit, while states like Washington, Georgia, and Alaska face the biggest percentage gaps relative to their workforce size. Demand is driven by population growth, aging demographics, and retirements, especially in large states and those popular with retirees, but shortages are critical across many regions, particularly in rural areas.
 

What class do most people fail in nursing school?

Pharmacology. It shouldn't be a shock that many nursing students consider pharmacology the most difficult class within their curriculum. The name of the most failed class in nursing school indeed implies it's going to be challenging, and it will be.

Who do nurses mostly marry?

Female registered nurses are most likely to marry male managers or female registered nurses. Male registered nurses are most likely to marry female or male registered nurses. Nurse practitioners and midwives are most likely to marry miscellaneous managers, physicians and surgeons.

Who has the easiest RN program?

2026 List of the Easiest Nursing Schools to Get Into

• The University of Texas at El Paso. ...
• Georgia State University. ...
• Oklahoma Wesleyan University. ...
• California State University, Fresno. ...
• Lewis-Clark State College. ...
• Sam Houston State University. ...
• Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. ...
• The University of New Mexico.

What state has the happiest nurses?

Top Happiest 5 states for nurses in the US

• #5 Colorado. Quality of life ranking: #10. Average RN salary: $69,990.00. ...
• #4 Alaska. Quality of life ranking: #19. Average RN salary: $88,510.00. ...
• #3 Oregon. Quality of life ranking: #18. ...
• #2 Wisconsin. Quality of life ranking: #3. ...
• #1 Minnesota. Quality of life ranking: #2.

Which state pays nurses the lowest?

The lowest paying states for Registered Nurses (RNs) consistently include Alabama, South Dakota, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Iowa, with Alabama often topping lists for lowest median pay, followed closely by South Dakota and Mississippi, though exact figures vary slightly by source and year. These states generally have lower average salaries, but also lower costs of living, meaning adjusted pay can change the ranking.
 

Can you make $200,000 as a nurse?

While the median registered nurse salary sits at $93,600 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest-paid nurses are earning well over $200,000 annually, proving that nursing can be both personally fulfilling and financially rewarding. The nursing salary landscape has evolved dramatically.

Can nurses make 3k a week?

RN – Operating Room Nurse Educator

Local Pay - $3000 Weekly Gross. Travel Pay - Weekly Gross: $3,500.

What field of nursing makes the most money?

The nursing field that makes the most money is Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), requiring advanced education (Master's/Doctorate) to administer anesthesia, with salaries often exceeding $200,000 annually, followed by other advanced practice roles like Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Nurse Midwives (CNMs). Other high-paying areas include Nurse Administration/Management, Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS), and critical care roles like ICU nursing, often with higher earnings for those with experience, certifications (like CCRN), and in high-demand areas like the California prison system,.
 

What is a 2 year RN called?

An associate's degree in nursing is most commonly called an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing), but can also be known as an ASN (Associate of Science in Nursing) or AAS (Associate of Applied Science in Nursing), all preparing graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam to become a Registered Nurse (RN). These typically two-year programs focus on foundational nursing skills, theory, and clinical practice, offering a fast path to entering the nursing field. 

Which nurse is most in demand?

The most in-demand nursing types are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) like Nurse Practitioners, Anesthetists, and Midwives due to rapid growth, alongside Critical Care/ICU Nurses, Emergency Room (ER) Nurses, and Medical-Surgical Nurses, driven by an aging population, complex health needs, and consistent acute care demands. Also crucial are Nurse Educators and Home Health Nurses, addressing systemic shortages and community care needs, respectively. 

Can you skip LPN and go to RN?

Some argue that starting as an LPN provides valuable hands-on experience and a quicker entry into the workforce. Others believe that going straight for an RN degree, particularly a BSN, offers better long-term career prospects and opportunities for advancement.

Do hospitals prefer RN or BSN?

Nursing school leadership estimates that over 80% of employers show strong preference for hiring BSN nurses while 43% of hospital and other healthcare setting employers require all new nurse hires to hold BSNs (AACN, 2019).

Can I study nursing in the USA for free?

Eligible nursing students can apply to the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program. If accepted, we pay your tuition, fees, and other educational costs, along with a monthly stipend. In return, after you graduate, you work at an eligible health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses.

What is the NCLEX exam pass rate?

Overall first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates surged after the test change in April 2023, climbing from 88.6% in 2023 to 91.2% in 2024. However, through most of 2025, overall first-time pass rates3 have dipped to 87.5% — prompting reflection about what these trends mean for student preparedness and program effectiveness.