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Today is an excellent time to become a registered nurse (RN) with the nursing shortage and multitude of RN career opportunities. This question and answer session will help you learn the steps you need to take to become a registered nurse. Knowing about your state licensing requirements, school length and the different types of nursing degrees can help save you education time and money...  What do I need to become a Registered Nurse (RN)? Each state has a Board of Nursing which is responsible for setting requirements and licensing nurses who practice in that state. To earn a professional nursing license, you must pass a comprehensive nursing test, called the NCLEX® examination, which is administered by each state. But to qualify to sit for the NCLEX examination, you must first complete a nursing education program that is approved by your state's Board of Nursing. Many states also require continuing nursing education after you are licensed to keep your nursing license current. What types of RN programs qualify me for the NCLEX examination? There are three nursing degree options: To understand the differences between these different options, learn more about these entry-level nursing degree programs. What are typical nursing school prerequisites? Each nursing school has their own set of prerequisites and requirements for admission, but this section gives you some general guidelines for what to expect. Be sure to consult the detailed requirements for each school before applying. - SAT or ACT exam, minimums vary widely by school
- GPA range from 2.0 to 3.25, depending on the school
- 3 years of math, including geometry and algebra II
- 3 years of science, including biology and chemistry
- 4 years of English
- 2 years of foreign language
Most BSN programs at 4-year colleges require that you first apply to the college or university, and then after completing prerequisite courses at the school, you must apply to the nursing program specifically. There are no standards here, so be sure to check with each school on their procedures. How long does it take to become an RN? How much does it cost to become a registered nurse? There is a huge range of tuition costs, which depend on the type of RN school, whether it is public or private, and whether you are an in-state or out-of-state resident. Community colleges might cost $3,000 to 5,000 per year, while a private 4-year college can cost more than $20,000 per year. Is financial aid available to aspiring RNs? There is usually a wide range of private and government options for financial aid. The key to getting on the band wagon with government aid of all types is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It's about eight pages long and can be filed either through an application at your school, or online. After filing the application you'll receive back a Student Aid Report (SAR), which determines what government financial aid you qualify for more nursing school financial aid. Different schools follow different paths from here, so be sure to check with your nursing school's financial aid office. There are also a wide range of non-governmental financial aid sources. For more financial aid information, visit our Nursing School Financial Aid Guide for in-depth work study, loan and loan forgiveness program information. You can also visit our Nursing Scholarships and Grants page for in-depth scholarship and grant resources. What is nursing school accreditation? Nursing school accrediting organizations evaluate schools against a rigorous set of standards that are deemed necessary for providing a quality education. Schools are accredited for a number of years (often 5 to 10 years) and then may renew their accreditation. Accreditation speaks to the quality of education at a school, and it is also crucial in that most states require a degree from an accredited institution before you can take the NCLEX examination. Accreditation provides a seal of approval on your nursing education. Is accreditation important? Yes—and we recommend that you read our section on nursing school accreditation for more information. Related Reading  Return to the Nursing School Education Resource Center. |
