- King's College London is ranked number one in the world for nursing in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, overtaking the University of Pennsylvania
- The NCLEX-RN licensing examination fee set by the NCSBN is 200 US dollars
- In India, Basic B.Sc Nursing is a four-year programme open to 10+2 Science students with at least 45 percent marks.
Nursing is a profession in the health care sector focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities to achieve, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life. The professionals in this field are known as nurses. Nurses differ from other health care providers in their approach to patient care, training, and scope of practice, and they practise across many specialities with varying levels of prescription authority.
What Is Nursing?
Nursing is the autonomous and collaborative care of individuals, families, and communities of all ages, sick or well, in every setting. According to the World Health Organization, nurses and midwives make up roughly half of the global health workforce and are often a patient's first point of contact within any health system.
All nurses hold one or more credentials depending on their scope of practice and education. In the United States a Licensed Practical Nurse works independently or alongside a Registered Nurse, while Registered Nurses apply scientific, psychological, and technical knowledge to the care of patients and families across many health care settings. Nurse education has diversified over recent decades toward advanced and specialised qualifications.
How Do You Become a Registered Nurse?
Educational paths vary worldwide but all involve extensive study of nursing theory and clinical practice. In the United States students complete either a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing, then pass the NCLEX-RN licensing examination. Passing the NCLEX is required before a graduate can practise as a licensed nurse.
The Associate Degree in Nursing, also called the Associate of Science in Nursing, is a two-year undergraduate award. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a four-year degree granted by an accredited university. After completing either the Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse programme, graduates are eligible to sit the standardised National Council Licensure Examination that tests their ability to care safely for patients.
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In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, King's College London ranks first in the world for nursing with a score of 95.5, overtaking the University of Pennsylvania in second place. Johns Hopkins University, the University of Toronto, and the University of Washington also feature among the global top ten nursing schools.
| University (2026 Guide) | QS Nursing Rank 2025 | Country |
|---|---|---|
| King's College London | 1 | United Kingdom |
| University of Pennsylvania | 2 | United States |
| Johns Hopkins University | 3 | United States |
| University of Toronto | 4 | Canada |
| Chinese University of Hong Kong | 5 | Hong Kong |
| University of Washington | 6 | United States |
| Duke University | 7 | United States |
| National University of Singapore | 8 | Singapore |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 9 | United States |
| University of Manchester | 10 | United Kingdom |
What Does It Cost and Which Licensing Exams Are Required?
To practise in the United States, graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN, developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and administered by Pearson VUE. The registration fee is 200 US dollars. State licensure adds a fee of roughly 75 to 375 dollars, and candidates testing outside the US, Canada, or Australia pay an extra international scheduling fee.
The NCLEX is a standardised, computer-adaptive examination that determines whether a candidate can practise safely and effectively as an entry-level nurse. The same 200 US dollar NCSBN fee applies to both the NCLEX-RN for registered nurses and the NCLEX-PN for practical nurses, though state boards and licensing authorities may charge separate registration and licence fees.
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In India, nursing education is regulated by the Indian Nursing Council. Basic B.Sc Nursing is a four-year programme requiring 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English and an aggregate of at least 45 percent. The three-year General Nursing and Midwifery diploma needs 10+2 with English and a minimum of 40 percent marks.
The minimum age for admission to Basic B.Sc Nursing is 17 years on or before 31 December of the admission year. Registered nurses can further upgrade their qualifications through the Post Basic B.Sc Nursing programme, while GNM remains a widely chosen diploma route into the profession for students seeking a shorter pathway.