Each state has a Board of Nursing responsible for setting requirements and licensing nurses who practice in that state. Registered Nurse is the name of the license granted to professional nurses. To earn an RN license, you must pass a comprehensive nursing test, called the NCLEX® examination administered by each state. To qualify 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 education after you are licensed to keep your nursing license current.

Nursing School Prerequisites

    Each school has their own set of prerequisites and requirements for admission. Below are some general guidelines. Be sure to consult the detailed requirements for each school before applying.

• SAT or ACT exam, minimums vary widely by school
• GPA range from 2.0-3.25, 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 you to first apply to the college or university in general, and then after completing prerequisite courses at the school you apply to the nursing program specifically. There are no standards so be sure to check with each school on their procedures.

Cost

    There is a huge range of tuition costs depending on the type of school, whether it is public or private, and whether you are an in-state or out-of-state resident. Community colleges might cost $3-5,000 per year, while a private 4-year college can cost more than $20,000 per year.

    There is usually a wide range of private and government options for financial aid. The key to getting government aid of all types is to fill out the FAFSA - the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It's about 8 pages long and can be filed via paper or online. After filing the application you'll receive back a Student Aid Report (SAR), which determines what government financial aid you qualify for. Different schools follow different paths so be sure to check with the financial aid office. There are also a wide range of non-governmental financial aid sources.

Accreditation

    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 5-10 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.


Entry-Level Nursing Programs
Become a Registered Nurse (RN)
Bachelor's Degrees in Nursing
Master's Degrees and Post-Master Certification in Nursing
Online Degrees in Nursing