Do You Need a BSN to be an RN?
Published on: December 3, 2025 | 8 minute read
By: Alice Bourget
A registered nurse (RN) works in medical facilities to assess patients and provide proper patient care. Their duties can be complex and varied, from administering medicine and wrapping wounds to assisting doctors during life-saving surgeries.
Given all the critical tasks entrusted to nurses, it should be no surprise that the profession requires a formal education. Most often, aspiring nurses pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
You might assume a BSN is the only option, and you would not be alone. Can you become an RN without a BSN?
Yes. Today, there are several potential pathways to becoming a registered nurse. All of them involve postsecondary schooling, but the amount and level of education needed vary. Depending on your background and goals, you can pursue any possible pathway at reputable institutions like Alliant University.
For example, you can become an RN through an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) program without immediately enrolling in a BSN program. (The ADN must be from an accredited nursing program.) You can also enter the nursing practice with other relevant degrees by pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).
Wondering how to become an RN? This guide explains all the potential paths.
Key Takeaways
- A BSN is the most common degree that aspiring RNs pursue, but other options include the ADN, MSN, and MSN Direct Entry.
- A nursing degree is required to take the National Council Licensure Examination - Registered Nurses, which is mandatory for all aspiring RNs.
- Graduates with degrees in related fields (such as biology or psychology) may be eligible for accelerated nursing programs.
What is a BSN?
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is an undergraduate degree administered by a school’s faculty of sciences. Nursing programs like these focus on the theoretical and practical skills necessary in the field of nursing.
A BSN nursing student is trained for a diverse range of roles, including management positions, research endeavors, and specialized clinical nursing care that could significantly impact patients and their families.
An accredited BSN issued by a reputable institution can:
- Provide a solid foundation of medical knowledge and a comprehensive education
- Explain the various disciplines a nurse can pursue in community health
- Offer hands-on practice in simulated medical scenarios
- Test theoretical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work in a team
- Prepare students for the National Council Licensure Examination – Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam
While earning a BSN can equip you with the necessary skills to enter the medical sector, it does not automatically make you a nurse. You will first have to pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Those who want to learn the steps to become a nurse must meet all education and licensing requirements. Once you do, you can finally get your RN license and begin your career.
About the NCLEX-RN
The NCLEX test is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to assess a potential nurse’s theoretical and practical medical knowledge.[1] The examination is designed to ensure nurses can provide the same high-quality care, no matter which state they are in.
The NCSBN maintains regulatory practices and upholds healthcare standards via the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). State Nursing Boards, in compliance with the NLC, must adhere to its testing standards and follow its procedures when issuing licenses.[2]
Passing the NCLEX-RN grants a license that allows professionals to work as RNs in various positions, collaborate with doctors and other professionals, and continue advancing in their clinical careers and certifications. In almost every jurisdiction, obtaining a nursing degree is a prerequisite to taking the exams.[3] Therefore, the examination is an important step in the RN career trajectory, regardless of which path you take to arrive there.
If you plan to become an RN, a BSN can provide some of the best possible preparation and practice for passing the NCLEX-RN. However, the BSN is not the only postsecondary degree that permits students to take the licensure exam. In fact, Alliant's first Master of Science in Nursing–Direct Entry cohort, which graduated in December 2025, achieved a 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate![4]
Other Nursing Education Pathways That Lead to RN Licensure
Multiple educational routes can prepare you to take the NCLEX-RN. Aside from the BSN, the following degrees can propel you toward a career as a registered nurse.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
An ADN is a condensed, career-focused undergraduate program that typically takes two years to complete. Students learn the foundations of nursing, including administering medication, planning treatments, and monitoring to provide direct patient care.
At a minimum, most states require you to have an ADN to test for the NCLEX-RN and become an RN.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
An MSN is an advanced master degree for students who have already completed an undergraduate degree—either a bachelor degree in nursing or another relevant science degree.
These graduate programs, which can take two to three years to complete, dive deep into the nursing profession and open the door to specializations.
MSNs can prepare graduates for accelerated careers in nursing by:
- Combining concepts from nursing and adjacent disciplines to establish a standard for advanced professional practice
- Teaching leadership skills, such as quality oversight and task delegation, to facilitate advancement into managerial roles
- Focusing on the theoretical aspects of the discipline, such as how social, political, and technological factors affect the future of nursing
- Setting them up for success on their NCLEX-RN exam
Not only will an MSN-DE allow you to take the NCLEX-RN and become an RN, but it may also prepare you for elevated nursing careers, such as:
- Public health nurse
- Nurse manager
- Nurse consultant
- Clinical nurse educator
- Director of nursing
- Clinical research nurse
- Nurse practitioner
- Clinical research nurse
- Chief nursing officer
All of these titles are considered senior roles. They usually require an MSN to enter, but they can also be more emotionally rewarding, depending on your passions. Of course, these roles (and others in the nursing field) still require passing the NCLEX-RN.
Can You Become an RN Without a Nursing Degree?
Technically, no. You cannot be a registered nurse without a nursing degree. You need to pass the NCLEX to work as an RN, and you need a degree in nursing to take the NCLEX exam.
However, if you have a degree in another discipline, you may be able to transition into nursing much sooner than you would expect. People with non-nursing bachelor’s of science degrees in related fields or those who completed health sciences programs can enroll in fast-track nursing programs like:
- Master of Science in Nursing, Direct Entry (MSN-DE) – An MSN-DE is one way to change careers without earning a second bachelor degree. The MSN-DE is an accelerated nursing program available to people with a bachelor degree in a relevant field, such as biology or psychology. After completing an MSN-DE nursing program, students have the educational prerequisites to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
- Accelerated BSN – Similar to an MSN-DE, accelerated BSN programs are typically designed for graduates who hold another degree. (Some accelerated BSNs require another degree.) An accelerated BSN is less intensive than an MSN program, but both degrees will allow you to take the NCLEX-RN.
Earn Your Nursing Degree at Alliant University
Whether you are starting college fresh or planning to pursue an advanced education, consider Alliant International University as the next step on your journey to becoming an RN.
If nursing is your goal and you do not have an undergraduate degree, choose the BSN at Alliant. The program meets the requirements for taking the NCLEX-RN and guides you through its topics. Once you have satisfied your general education requirements, you can complete the nursing program in just two years. It can take a similar amount of time to complete as an associate degree, but a BSN program can provide more specialized knowledge to help you kickstart your nursing career.
Meanwhile, if you have a degree in a science-related discipline, the MSN-DE program at Alliant University can help you take the national exam for RN licensure in just 2 years. Like our BSN, it teaches you relevant theoretical and practical information to help you pass the NCLEX-RN and obtain your RN license.
Apply today and join the new generation of nurse leaders.
Sources:
[1] “About.” NCLEX. Accessed March 31, 2026. https://www.nclex.com/About.page.
[2] “About.” NLC. Accessed March 31, 2026. https://www.nursecompact.com/about.page.
[3] “Board of Nursing Professional Licensure Requirements.” NCSBN. Accessed March 31, 2026. https://www.ncsbn.org/nursing-regulation/education/board-of-nursing-professional-licensure-requirements.page.
[4] “Report 1 – Number and Percent Passing of First-Time Candidates Educated in NRB Jurisdictions.” Arizona Board of Nursing. https://azbn.gov/sites/default/files/RN-NCLEX-Quarterly-Report-2026.pdf. Accessed May 6, 2026.