Become a Registered Nurse in California
Date: September 27, 2019
It all begins with taking small steps. The first step is to have a high school diploma with English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies classes. We recommend taking foreign language coursework as well.
Start checking the prerequisites at the various nursing schools, as they vary from one to another. It is also possible to take the required courses at college if you have not received them during high school. It would be wise to seek a high school counselor’s guidance and take as many prerequisites during high school.
There are three options for pre-licensing nursing programs:
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Master’s degree Entry-Level Program in Nursing
Another alternative option is an LVN to RN Bridge Program — an ideal career-oriented course with a duration from 15 to 18 months to be a Licensed Vocational Nurse in California. On completion of the LVN program, one can progress to get RN licensure.
California has over 100 nursing schools; you can select the college of your liking. Moreover, one needs to find out about the entrance exams that the colleges conduct, like SAT or ACT. Look and apply for financial aid opportunities, which might be scholarships, loans, and loan waivers.
It would be best if you were licensed by the California State Board of Registered Nursing to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN), meeting the educational requirements, pass a criminal background check and pass the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX). The NCLEX exam is computerized and available to take six (6) days a week.
We recommend students take the NCLEX exam soon after graduating because the success ratio is relatively higher than those who delay taking the test.
