How Long Does It Take to Become a Registered Nurse?

How Long Does It Take to Become a Registered Nurse?

The short answer: Most people become a registered nurse (RN) in Florida and Georgia in about 2 to 4 years. The fastest realistic path is an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), which takes roughly two years, followed by passing the NCLEX-RN exam. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) typically takes about four years. After you graduate, licensure adds a few more weeks for your application, background check, and exam results.

If you’re thinking about a nursing career, the timeline is probably your first question — and it’s the right one to ask. Below, we break down every path to becoming an RN in Florida or Georgia, how long each step actually takes, and how to get started.

The Two Main Education Paths to Becoming an RN

There is no single “nursing degree.” In Florida and Georgia, two pre-licensure paths lead to the same RN license, and the one you choose mostly affects how long you study and which roles you can pursue afterward.

Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) — about 2 years

The ASN is the fastest way to become an RN. You’ll complete general education courses along with nursing theory and hands-on clinical training, and graduate ready to sit for the NCLEX-RN. For career changers and people who want to start working and earning sooner, this is the most direct route. (Nursing core classes are done after the gen eds, which might make a difference to a student to know they are not at the same time).

At Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology, the ASN program is offered at our Atlanta, Delray Beach, Miami, and Orlando-area campuses, and our Florida BSN and ASN programs have earned ACEN accreditation —ACEN is an international accreditation that indicates the nursing program meets a high set of standards for quality nursing education. The Atlanta campus is finishing their accreditation process this fall. 

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) — about 4 years

The BSN covers everything an ASN does, plus additional coursework in leadership, research, community health, and management. Many hospitals — especially Magnet-designated hospitals — prefer or require a BSN for certain roles, and it opens more doors for advancement into supervisory and specialty positions down the road.

If you already hold an RN license earned through an ASN, you don’t have to start over. An RN to BSN program lets working nurses bridge to a bachelor’s degree, often online and on a flexible schedule, so you can earn and learn at the same time. 

What Happens After Graduation: Licensure

Finishing your nursing program is a milestone, not the finish line. To practice as an RN in Florida or Georgia, you must be licensed by the Florida or Georgia Board of Nursing. Here’s what that involves:

First, you’ll need to graduate from a nursing program that is Board-approved. Graduates of approved programs apply by examination and pass the NCLEX-RN. Choosing an accredited program from the start matters, because it indicates that the education you receive has met certain standards for quality instruction.

Next come the application steps. Applicants for initial licensure must have their fingerprints submitted electronically for a criminal history background check. You’ll also submit your application through the state portal, provide official transcripts, and register for the exam.

Then you take the NCLEX-RN, the national licensing exam that confirms you’re ready to practice safely. The application fee for nursing licensure is approximately $110 in Florida and $40 in Georgia, with additional costs for the NCLEX exam and the background check.

Finally, you wait for results and license issuance. This is usually quick: after receiving a passing NCLEX-RN score, the initial Florida and Georgia license is issued within about 10 days. Build in a little buffer for processing — most new nurses are licensed within a few weeks of passing.

One more thing worth knowing: Florida and Georgia are Nurse Licensure Compact state, which means a valid multistate license is recognized here without a separate Florida or Georgia application. That’s helpful if you move, or if you’re coming to Florida from another compact state.

A Realistic Timeline From Day One to Your First Shift

Here’s how the pieces add up for the most common path, the ASN:

  • Months 1–24: Complete your ASN program, including classroom instruction, simulation labs, and clinical rotations.
  • Final weeks of school: Begin your licensure application, complete Livescan fingerprinting, and register with Pearson VUE.
  • After graduation: Sit for the NCLEX-RN.
  • About 10 days after passing: Receive your Florida or Georgia RN license.

For a BSN in Florida, the education phase extends to roughly from an accelerated program of 16 months to four years, with the same licensure steps at the end. If you’re an existing RN bridging through an RN to BSN program, you’re already licensed and working — the bachelor’s degree builds on top of your career.

How Much Do Registered Nurses Earn?

The timeline is an investment, and the payoff is real. Registered nurses in Florida earn an average salary of about $88,587 per year, or roughly $42.59 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 wage data. Entry-level nurses typically start around $70,870 (25th percentile), while experienced nurses can earn up to about $119,592 at the 90th percentile.

Demand is strong and steady, too. Nationally, employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the average for all occupations — with about 189,100 openings projected each year over the decade. Florida has the third-highest employment of RNs in the country, with hospitals, assisted living facilities, home health agencies, and long-term care facilities in constant need of nurses to serve the state’s growing and aging population.

Note: Salary and job-outlook figures are based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data (May 2024–May 2025) and reflect statewide and national averages; individual earnings vary by location, employer, and experience. Licensure requirements are set by each state’s Board of Nursing and are subject to change — always confirm current requirements at floridasnursing.gov or https://sos.ga.gov/georgia-board-nursing

How to Shorten the Path (Without Cutting Corners)

You can’t skip the NCLEX or the clinical hours — and you shouldn’t want to, because they’re what make you a safe, capable nurse. But you can avoid delays:

Choose an accredited program from the start, so your degree qualifies you for licensure with no surprises. Look for programs with strong NCLEX pass rates and built-in hands-on training, since simulation labs and clinical externships prepare you to pass the exam and succeed on your first shift. And start your licensureapplication as you approach graduation, so you’re not waiting on logistics once you’ve earned your degree.

Start Your Nursing Career at Cambridge

If you’ve felt called to care for others, you don’t have to wait years to begin. Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology offers ACEN-accredited nursing programs across Florida and Georgia, including:

With hands-on training in simulation labs, flexible scheduling, and campuses serving Florida and Georgia, your future in nursing can start sooner than you think.

Request more information or apply today.