How to Become an RN in PA: 4 Steps
Wondering how to become an RN in PA? Pennsylvania offers plenty of advantages for nurses — a strong healthcare system, affordable cost of living, and a high demand for skilled professionals. To start your nursing career here, you’ll need to complete an accredited nursing program, pass the NCLEX, and apply for state licensure. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to become a registered nurse in Pennsylvania, step by step, with all the state-specific details you’ll need.
Nursing in Pennsylvania: A Snapshot of the Role
A Pennsylvania RN license is your ticket to a wide range of career paths. From heart-pounding shifts in CVICU units to the compassionate depth of psychiatric nursing, you’ll have the freedom to find your calling in the nursing specialty that speaks to you most.
No matter where you work — acute care, post-acute care, or long-term care — you’ll find certain responsibilities will remain the same. Here are some of the core nursing tasks you’ll do day to day:
- Performing head-to-toe assessments
- Monitoring the health status of patients
- Administering medications and treatments
- Documenting care provided in medical records
- Creating care plans
- Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams
- Responding to emergencies
There are many specialties within nursing — each offering a unique way to make an impact. Here are just a few examples that illustrate how diverse nursing can be:
- Endoscopy nursing: Assisting in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures involving the use of endoscopes that help detect and treat conditions early.
- Flight nursing: Delivering emergency care in the air, stabilizing patients during transport to emergency rooms or trauma centers.
- Interventional radiology nursing: Supporting patients through minimally invasive, image-guided procedures.
- Oncology nursing: Supporting patients and families through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery in the fight against cancer.
- Public health nursing: Focusing on community wellness, disease prevention, and education.
How Long Does It Take to Become an RN in PA?
It’ll take you about two to four years to become an RN, depending on the educational route you choose. For example, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) typically takes two to three years, while a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) usually requires four years. While the ADN path is faster, the BSN is the preferred degree among many hospitals and nursing leadership organizations because it teaches you more about professional skills like leadership.
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, an accelerated program can get you ready for the NCLEX in about 12 to 18 months. You’ll also need to pass the NCLEX and apply for licensure (usually in your final semester), which can take an additional few weeks or months.
Want to learn how to become an RN in PA quickly? Watch our video on the fastest way to become a nurse.
How to Become an RN in PA: 5 Steps
The journey to earning a PA RN license includes schooling, testing, and fulfilling a few state-specific requirements. Let’s break down the steps to become an RN here.
Step 1: Complete Nursing School
What do you need to be an RN in PA? To start your journey, you’ll need to complete a prelicensure nursing program. Whether you pursue an ADN or BSN, nursing school will build your baseline knowledge of patient care skills, improve your critical thinking, and help you gain experience through clinical rotations. Expect challenging classes like pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment.
While you’re searching for nursing schools in Pennsylvania, be sure you choose a program that is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (BON).This will ensure you’re qualified for licensure after you graduate.
Looking for top-ranking universities offering RN programs? Pennsylvania is home to several highly respected schools with strong nursing programs, such as the following:
- University of Pennsylvania
- Duquesne University
- Villanova University
- La Roche University
- Moravian University
If you’re seeking a two-year program, you’ll also have many options in PA, including:
- Reading Area Community College
- Luzerne County Community College
- Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences
- Bucks County Community College
Wondering how to afford your nursing education? Consider exploring flexible jobs you can do while in school — like part-time healthcare roles, tutoring, or campus positions — that help cover tuition and living expenses while giving you valuable experience. Additionally, consider working as CNA during school, which can help you pay for nursing school and gain relevant experience. Find CNA jobs in Pennsylvania.
Seeking student aid or funding for nursing school? Check out the Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania Scholarship Fund and the Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania. For more financial aid opportunities, check out our list of 50 scholarships for nursing students.
Step 2: Take the NCLEX
Next, you’ll need to apply for and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to earn your license. Students typically apply for the exam in their final semester of nursing school and take it soon after graduation.
To get started, create an account with the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS). There, you’ll find everything needed to apply for your RN license, including a mandatory reporting course, a criminal background check, and verification of your education. Complete the application for licensure by exam and upload all required documents.
The process also involves paying fees. How much does a PA RN license cost? You’ll pay a $95 nonrefundable application fee to take the NCLEX exam. Pennsylvania also allows new graduate nurses to work while waiting to take the exam, but this requires an interim permit, which costs an additional $70.
Once your application is reviewed and approved, you’ll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) along with instructions on how to schedule your exam. The NCLEX itself includes 85 to 150 questions and can take up to five hours. After you complete the exam, you can request unofficial results within two business days for an additional fee, while your official results will be sent within six weeks.
Tip: Wondering what happens if you fail the NCLEX? In Pennsylvania, you can retake the exam as many times as needed, but you must wait 45 days between attempts and pay the exam fee for each retake.
Step 3: Receive Your RN License
Pennsylvania is a part of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC), which means once you meet all requirements and pass the NCLEX, you can choose to apply for either a multistate license — allowing you to practice in other compact states — or a state-specific license if you prefer to work only in Pennsylvania. Read Pennsylvania Nurse Practice Act to learn more.
Step 4: Start Your Job Hunt
Now that you’ve learned how to become an RN in PA, your skills are in demand. Where will your Pennsylvania RN license take you? Will you find fulfillment in the fast-paced world of critical care or the emergency department? Or perhaps a specialty like pediatric nursing or labor and delivery is for you.
Ready to start applying for RN jobs in Pennsylvania? Explore opportunities at these hospitals and medical facilities:
- Allegheny Health
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- Highmark Health
- Holland Center
- Independence Health System
- Indiana Regional Medical Center
- Jefferson Health
- Lehigh Valley Health Network
- Penn Medicine
- Penn State Health
- Temple Health
- Tower Health
- UPMC
Not looking for a hospital job? Pennsylvania offers a wide range of non-bedside nursing opportunities where your skills are just as valuable, including education, research, and telehealth.
Step 4: Keep Your PA RN License Up to Date
How long is a PA RN license good for? Your nursing license is valid for two years, expiring either April 30 or October 31 of every other year. To renew, you’ll need to submit a renewal application, complete the required continuing education, and pay the associated fee. For more details, check out our three-step guide to nursing license renewals in PA.
How Much Do RNs Make in PA?
The average salary for RNs in PA is $90,830 per year. You might make more or less than this average depending on your employer, where you live, the specialty you work in, your experience, and any additional credentials you pursue.
If you’re looking to increase your income, consider taking on a side hustle or exploring opportunities in larger cities, where salaries are typically higher:
Find RN Jobs in Pennsylvania
You’ve learned how to become an RN in PA — now it’s time to explore open positions. IntelyCare can link you to quality nursing roles that align with your career ambitions and lifestyle preferences. Sign up today to discover roles that match your needs.