Steps to Become a California Registered Nurse Show
1. Take college prep classes in high school 2. Choose the type of nursing school you want to attend 3. Select a college and apply for admission 4. Apply for financial aid 5. Obtain an RN license 1. Take college prep classes in high school
In California, there are three types of pre-licensure nursing programs, and two alternative routes to become a registered nurse:
Opportunities abound for scholarships, loans, and loan forgiveness programs. Please visit the Financial Aid Information section of our website for more information. 5. Obtain an RN licenseTo practice as an RN in California, you must be licensed by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). You must meet educational requirements, pass a criminal background check, and pass the national licensing examination. To apply for licensure:
It is often said that the practice of registered nursing is equal parts science and heart. It is a science in the sense that it is grounded in evidence-based research and current clinical knowledge, and it is the heart that helps make the practice uniquely human. If you’re passionate about helping people and you’re looking for a career that can provide you with meaningful work and growth opportunities, then becoming a registered nurse might be the perfect fit for you. This post will answer all of your questions about how to become a registered nurse, and more. Five Steps to Become a Registered NurseTo be successful as a registered nurse and thrive in a healthcare environment with constantly changing demands, you must build a strong clinical and non-clinical foundation. Registered nurses must have technical nursing skills to administer nursing care, medical knowledge of drug properties and interactions, critical thinking skills to diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries, organizational skills to implement care plans, and the communication skills to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Nurturing these skills and more takes time and commitment. Before you can begin working as a registered nurse, you must complete a series of steps that will take several years to gain the necessary education, clinical training, and experience you need to meet the requirements for testing, licensing, and certification. We have outlined six primary steps to become an RN below:
1. Take College Prep Courses in High SchoolYou may not realize it, but many students begin preparing for a future career as a registered nurse in high school or even earlier. The classes you take in high school and the information you learn will prepare you for your college education and career later. For example, did you know that RNs use algebra to calculate medication dosages and reference their knowledge of chemistry to understand how a patient metabolizes glucose? Nurses use their foundation of knowledge every day to help save the lives of their patients. Most high schools offer students the opportunity to take college preparatory classes that prepare them for the college-level coursework necessary to pursue a nursing degree. If your high school gives you the option, take advantage of the opportunity to get a head start on the prerequisites you will need for nursing school.
Some of the most important classes for high school students to consider include math, science, social studies, foreign language, and English. Other recommended areas of study include psychology, physics, anatomy, and physiology. Math and science classes are directly relevant to the classes that nursing students will take in a college nursing program. A foreign language is useful when caring for patients who are more comfortable communicating in their native language, and clear communication helps improve patient comfort, satisfaction, and overall patient care. 2. Choose a Nursing Degree ProgramThere are three types of pre-licensure degree programs for individuals who wish to become registered nurses. Deciding on the type of nursing program you want to attend is an important decision that will impact you financially and professionally. Future nursing students should be aware of the differences between each program type, the length of time needed to complete each program, the number of credits required to graduate, and each choice’s impact on their future scope of practice. Associate Degree in Nursing (Two-Year Program)An associate’s degree in nursing typically requires 18 to 24 months of study and is offered by community colleges and technical and vocational schools across the country. The curriculum and degree requirements are designed to prepare you to take the NCLEX and become licensed as a registered nurse in a relatively fast period of time. Earning an ADN is a great way to begin your nursing career. The main advantages are the length of time to complete the program and the overall cost. An associate’s degree is less time-consuming and less expensive than the alternative, a BSN degree, which means that you’ll become a nurse faster, gain valuable nursing experience, and start earning money sooner. There are, however, several disadvantages of earning an associate’s degree in nursing rather than a bachelor’s degree in nursing. According to labor market data and employer feedback, registered nurses who hold a BSN generally have better job prospects, which means that they are offered better starting salaries than those with an ADN, face less competition for desirable positions, and may receive greater professional advancement opportunities. Depending on the state, there may also be formal role distinctions between degree level and educational preparation. These are some of the main reasons why nurses often consider the initial investment in a four-year bachelor’s in nursing degree or decide to earn their BSN later through an RN to BSN program after gaining nursing experience as an ADN-credentialed nurse. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)Nurses who graduate with a four-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree are equipped with the educational and experiential foundation to provide direct patient care in numerous care settings and meet the education requirements to pursue graduate-level study. A BSN degree is recognized for providing students with comprehensive nursing education, resulting in a deeper understanding of disease prevention and health promotion, which can be applied to RN roles, advanced practice nursing, administration, and leadership. Both ADN and BSN programs offer a core nursing curriculum, clinical practice opportunities, and hands-on learning that prepares students to be competent nurses. However, a bachelor of science in nursing program will include some courses that aren’t offered by a standard ADN program. A few examples include:
3. Select a Nursing School and Apply for AdmissionAccording to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, there are approximately 996 baccalaureate nursing programs and nearly 1,100 associate degree programs in the United States, which makes the process of selecting a school a potentially daunting endeavor. With this challenge in mind, it is important to research which programs are a good fit for your career objectives and personal and academic needs. When considering a nursing program, it’s best to ask the following questions: Is it important to stay close to home? Does the school have a reputation for its strong affiliation with hospitals and clinics? How involved is the faculty in student development? Does the program adequately address the industry’s increasing reliance on technology in patient care? What areas of specialization does the program curriculum support? These are just a few of the questions you should consider as you weigh your personal needs and the program’s effectiveness. Nursing School AdmissionsThe first step towards earning a college or university degree is to meet the school’s general entrance requirements. While admissions criteria may vary, there are several common requirements to enter a school of nursing. Most accredited colleges require the following, at a minimum, along with the appropriate application forms.
While there may be a nursing shortage creating a huge demand for nurses, there are limited spaces in nursing schools, and nursing programs remain among the country’s most selective programs. Knowing this, students need to seek out ways to stand out when their application is reviewed during the selection process. Top-notch BSN programs typically require a minimum GPA of 3.0, and ADN programs typically set the minimum in the range of 2.75. Other considerations are weighed and include a student’s class load in the natural sciences and mathematics areas. Applicants are encouraged to seek out activities that demonstrate leadership qualities and a commitment to the field, such as volunteering and other forms of community-service involvement. Verify That Your Program Is AccreditedNursing program accreditation is an essential consideration for anyone entering the field of nursing. Without accreditation, the credits you earn may not be recognized by your state board of nursing when you sit for the licensing examination offered through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing or when you apply for an RN license. The result is a devastating loss of both time and money. Accreditation is a voluntary process in which the institution or program requests a systematic external review of its programs, faculty, and facilities to ensure its integrity and quality. To earn approval, the institution must meet national standards established by its peers in nursing education and demonstrate an ability to produce successful graduate outcomes. A vast majority of baccalaureate nursing programs in the United States are accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Other notable nursing accreditation agencies include the Commission on Nursing Education Accreditation and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Helpful Links4. Complete Your Supervised Clinical Training RequirementsClinical rotations are a vital part of your nursing education and are often regarded as a “right of passage” for rising nursing students. Clinical experience comes in a variety of forms. Still, most are spent in a hospital or healthcare facility where you will experience real-world patient care under the supervision and coaching of your preceptor and other advanced practice nurses. Supervised clinical hours are the beginning of a learning process that allows you to apply theory to practice and is the point in time when most nurses start to nurture advanced competencies, grow their expertise, and develop clinical judgment. While the location and length of your clinical rotations will vary, the general expectation is that nursing students will experience at least three clinical hours in a medical facility for each hour of classroom instruction. These diverse experiences will prepare you to apply your nursing knowledge safely and give you first-hand insights into hospital protocols and what it’s like to work as a part of a complex medical team. 5. Apply for Your RN License & Pass the NCLEXTo practice as a registered nurse in any state in the country, you must be licensed by the state board of nursing in which you intend to work. Uniform licensure requirements published by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing recommend that all candidates for licensure must provide verification of graduation from an approved nursing program, pass a criminal background check, and pass the National Certification Licensing Examination (NCLEX) before they can provide registered nursing care. To apply for licensure, you must:
It is important to check your state Board of Nursing’s specific requirements to ensure that you have met all the eligibility requirements because some states may have unique requirements that differ from others. Once your application has been reviewed and all requirements have been verified, you will be licensed as a registered nurse. NCLEX Registration and Authorization to TestBefore you can sit for the National Council Licensure Examination, you must be deemed eligible by the nursing regulatory board (usually your state board of nursing) where you wish to be licensed and receive an Authorization to Test. To receive authorization, you must follow a two-step candidate registration process well in advance of the target date for taking the exam. Candidates for testing will apply with their state nursing regulatory body (an application for licensure), register for the exam, and pay the fee with Pearson Vue. After your nursing regulatory board grants your license eligibility and an acknowledgment of registration is provided by Pearson Vue, you will receive authorization to test. With authorization to test in hand, you can schedule your test within 30-45 days. If you have questions about this procedure, you can request information by contacting the nursing board in your state. Pass the NCLEXThe NCLEX-RN exam is designed to gauge a nurse’s understanding of the fundamental concepts of nursing. Since it’s computerized, the test adapts to each person who takes it. As the test taker-proceeds, questions are based on answers to previous questions. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing, an organization that regulates health care standards in the nursing industry, works with state boards across the United States to establish standards within the nursing profession. This helps ensure a standard level of care in every state. Anyone who receives medical treatment anywhere in the United States can expect a base level of expertise from the nursing staff at a healthcare facility. The NCLEX-RN exam is composed of four categories with six subcategories. The categories are:
The test covers a range of potential medical challenges that nurses typically encounter on the job, including disease prevention, disease treatment, infection control, safety, pharmacology, and management of care, injuries, and illnesses. The test also measures a nurse’s problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. After sitting for the exam, you may receive your “unofficial results” within two business days after the exam if your nursing regulatory board participates in the Quick Results System. Once your scores are official, they will be posted on your state’s Board of Nursing website. If you achieved a passing score on the exam, congratulations! You are now licensed as a registered nurse. Additional Resources for RNs
How to Become a Registered Nurse – FAQThe minimum amount of time to become a registered nurse depends on the type of education you pursue. Associate degrees typically take 2-3 years to complete, followed by passing the NCLEX-RN. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) takes 3-4 years of coursework, followed by passing the NCLEX-RN. There are two ways to become a registered nurse in approximately two years or less. Associate degree programs in nursing generally take between 21 and 24 months to complete. Accelerated BSN programs allow people who have earned a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field to complete their bachelor of science in nursing within 12 to 19 months. Both programs prepare students with the core knowledge and clinical skills required to become licensed as an RN. If you are determined to become a registered nurse in the fastest and most direct route possible, then acquiring an ADN remains the quickest option. By pursuing an associate’s degree in nursing, you could begin your registered nursing career in under two years. The most obvious difference between an RN and BSN is the required amount of classroom and clinical hours. Earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing is a more intensive process that typically results in greater responsibility and higher-paying jobs. Registered nurses with a BSN degree are generally met with better job prospects and higher starting salaries. Studies show that better patient outcomes are linked to higher levels of education, so there is increased demand for BSN-educated nurses. Related Articles |
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