How to become a Registered Nurse

There are two main routes to becoming a registered nurse: a three-year BSc Nursing degree, or a Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship where you earn while you train. Both lead to NMC registration and a Band 5 role.

Entry routes

From Senior Healthcare Assistant: BSc Nursing or RN Degree Apprenticeship (~3.5 yrs)
From Nursing Associate: RN degree top-up apprenticeship (~2yr) (~2 yrs)
From Assistant Practitioner: RN degree top-up (~2yr) (~2 yrs)

What you'll need

Academic

Maths & English GCSE (grade 4/C) or equivalent

Qualifications

Employer support

Employer support / sponsorship

Experience

12+ months HCA experience
Clinical experience and references

Funding

Funding or apprenticeship sponsorship

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Qualifications, cost & duration

Functional Skills Maths & English (Level 2)
Level 2 · ~6 months · Often free / funded
Often free for adults via colleges/adult education; some private courses £100–£400.
Access to HE Diploma (Nursing/Health Professions)
Level 3 · ~12 months · ~£3,384
~£3,200–£4,000; via Advanced Learner Loan, WRITTEN OFF on completing an HE course. Free for some 19–23 without a Level 3.
BSc (Hons) Nursing
Level 6 · ~36 months · ~£9,535
~£9,250–£9,535/yr tuition (England cap) via student finance, PLUS NHS Learning Support Fund grant (≥£5,000/yr, non-repayable).
Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (Level 6)
Level 6 · ~48 months · Often free / funded
£0 to learner — apprenticeship; salaried throughout. ~4 years.
Nursing Associate → RN degree top-up
Level 6 · ~24 months · Often free / funded
Commonly an apprenticeship top-up (~2 years) for Nursing Associates; £0 to learner where employer-supported.

A typical path

£25,272 now → £32,073 in 4 yrs

Healthcare Assistant
Year 0 · Band 2 · entry
£25,272
Nursing Associate
Year 2 · Band 4 · entry
£28,392
Registered Nurse
Year 4 · Band 5 · entry
£32,073
Registered Nurse
Year 6 · Band 5 · intermediate
£34,592
Registered Nurse
Year 8 · Band 5 · top
£39,043

Common questions

How long does it take to become a nurse?

About three years for a BSc, or up to four years via a degree apprenticeship — but you're earning throughout the apprenticeship route.

Can I become a nurse without a degree?

You still need a degree-level qualification, but the apprenticeship route lets you get there while working and without tuition debt.

See what you'd earn as a Registered Nurse

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Indicative — England 2026/27 Agenda for Change basic pay, excludes High Cost Area Supplements, unsocial-hours and overtime. Typical timings are national averages, not guarantees. Not financial advice. See data sources.