How to Become an RN in Maryland: 4 Steps
Ready to learn how to become an RN in Maryland? Registered nurses in the Old Line State work to keep its over 6 million residents healthy. By becoming an RN, you’ll be opening yourself up to many opportunities across specialties. Let’s go over the benefits of pursuing an RN license, and how to become a registered nurse in Maryland.
What Does an RN in Maryland Do?
Nurses in MD work in a variety of areas, and the benefit of earning your license is that you could, too. Here are some of the nursing specialties you could pursue with an RN license:
- Acute care nursing: Providing hands-on care for patients in hospitals, including medical-surgical, telemetry, and critical care units.
- Long-term care: Helping aging patients and those with chronic illnesses in skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities.
- Psychiatric nursing: Working with patients experiencing mental health conditions in inpatient psych units, rehabilitation centers, or outpatient settings.
- School nursing: Addressing student health needs in educational settings, from managing chronic conditions to providing emergency care.
How Long Does It Take to Become an RN in Maryland?
It’ll take you at least two to four years to formally learn how to become an RN in Maryland. There are two degree options that will qualify you to take the RN licensure exam:
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): Two-year degree offered at technical and community colleges
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): Four-year degree offered at colleges and universities
If you’re looking at the time and tuition expense of the degrees above, you might think that the ADN is the obvious choice. But the BSN has some benefits as a longer degree path — many nursing leaders prefer the BSN, and it may give you an edge while applying to jobs. A BSN will also make it easier to ascend into nursing leadership or education roles.
Despite these long-term benefits of the BSN, the ADN is still a great degree for becoming a nurse fast. If you already have a degree, you could earn a nursing degree even more quickly by attending a direct-entry or accelerated nursing program.
Check out some of the highest-ranked nursing schools with BSN programs in Maryland:
- Johns Hopkins University
- University of Maryland – Baltimore
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
- Bowie State University
- Frostburg State University
If you’re seeking an ADN, these are some of the best programs:
- Anne Arundel Community College
- Cecil College
- Hagerstown Community College
- Community College of Baltimore County
- Frederick Community College
Step 1: Complete Nursing School
The first step in how to become an RN in Maryland is to complete a pre-licensure nursing program. Whether you decide to pursue an ADN or BSN, be sure that the school you attend is approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing. This will ensure that you can take the licensure exam after you graduate.
Nursing school is notorious for being challenging, but you can get through it with strong study habits and preparing well for your clinical rotations. You’ll also likely participate in simulation-based learning to help you experience different clinical scenarios in a safe environment. All of these experiences are designed to help prepare you for practice as an entry-level nurse.
In Maryland, you can apply to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) after your first semester in a board-approved nursing program. Picking up CNA jobs could help you gain experience in basic care skills and even help you pay for nursing school. Another option that could improve your confidence is pursuing student nurse jobs and externships, which are often structured with rotating experiences in different specialties.
Step 2: Take the NCLEX
After you graduate, you’ll apply to take the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) through the Maryland Board of Nursing. Here are the items you’ll need to complete your application:
- Degree or diploma from an approved pre-licensure program
- Completed licensure by exam application
- Criminal history record check
- Declaration of Maryland as your primary state of residence
- $100 application fee
- Pearson VUE application (includes a $200 fee)
Once your application is approved you’ll receive an email with an authorization to test, typically within 10 weeks after graduation. Now you can schedule the test. Not sure how to prepare for the NCLEX? Many schools host NCLEX prep courses after graduation to help you go into the exam with confidence. You might also consider purchasing an NCLEX review kit or additional prep materials.
Wondering how many times can you take the NCLEX in Maryland? You can schedule a retake after 45 days, and there’s no limit on how many times you can take it. Prepare well to avoid having to retest — exam pass rates show that the best odds of passing are on first attempts.
You should receive a nursing license number 10 business days after passing the NCLEX. Find it on Maryland’s RN license look-up page.
Step 3: Start Your Job Hunt
Ready to look for RN jobs in Maryland? Nursing students often begin applying for and accepting roles before graduation, with job offers contingent on a passing NCLEX score. Where will your new nursing license take you? Many new grads start their careers in hospital nursing, where you’ll learn time management and prioritization skills. Nurses in acute care support patients in areas like oncology units, intensive care, and cardiac nursing.
On the other hand, post-acute nursing might be more appealing. Some nurses work in rehabilitation or skilled nursing facilities, caring for patients with long-term health needs. The beauty of an RN license is the flexibility to work in roles that suit your preferences and skills.
If you’re interested in learning more about major healthcare employers in Maryland, check out roles with these highly ranked networks and facilities:
- Johns Hopkins Hospital
- University of Maryland Medical System
- MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
- TidalHealth Peninsula Regional
- Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center
- Adventist HealthCare
- GBMC Healthcare
- Frederick Hospital
As you’re preparing to apply for your first nursing roles, check out our video on interview tips:
What is an RN salary in Maryland, on average? The mean income for RNs in Maryland is $92,090 per year, but new graduate nurses typically earn less than average when they’re starting out. If you’re willing to relocate, you could potentially increase your odds of earning more in your first roles. Check out RN jobs in the largest cities in Maryland by population:
Since the state is a member of the NLC, once you complete the steps of how to become an RN in Maryland, you can apply for a multistate license to work in other states. Nearby compact states include:
Step 4: Keep Your License Up to Date
Maryland’s RN license renewals correspond to your birth year. Learn more about renewals with our guide on renewing your MD RN license in three steps.
Use Your New RN License in a New Role
Now that you know how to become an RN in Maryland, why not check out opportunities in your area? IntelyCare’s nursing job notifications put you in the loop when jobs open up in your specialty. Learn more today.