What is a Registered Nurse?

After graduating from a nursing school at either a community college or a four-year college, you must take an examination to become a licensed registered nurse.

The exam is called the NCLEX examination. NCLEX stands for National Council Licensure Examination.

Don’t panic, almost everyone passes, and if you don’t pass the first time, you can take it again.

The state will send your license to you by mail. It will have your RN license number on it. Carry it at all times and display it proudly.

How long does it take to become a nurse?

There is more than one way to become a nurse. There are two-year programs at community colleges and four-year programs at state schools.

Most of these programs require certain classes in order to enter the program (called pre-requisites), if you don’t have them already, you’ll have to take them first. A college counselor can help you plan your schedule.

High school students can get a jump-start on college by taking 2-4 years of:

	English
	Math
	Science
	Social Studies
	Foreign Language
	Computer Science

Guidance counselors are there to help, so ask for their assistance.

What if I can’t stand the sight of blood?

Not everyone is cut out for the emergency room or the operating room. Many nurses choose to stay out of the hospital, and don’t wear a uniform. There are so many options in the profession. One is bound to suit you.

If you want to be the boss, nursing has a place for you. Nurses are:

	educators
	managers
	executives
	entrepreneurs
	lawyers
	government officials

Nurses can also work with the police in forensics departments, on movie sets, as flight nurses in the military, and as expert witnesses.

When it comes to finding a challenging career as a nurse, the possibilities are endless.

Do you have to be good at math and science to be a nurse?

You don’t have to love math and science to be a nurse, you just have to pass it. You should, however, be interested in the structure of the body (Anatomy) and how it functions (Physiology) if you want to be nurse.

There are lots of great nurses working today who will tell you "I was never any good at math."

Many schools have tutoring programs to help you. Teachers and classmates may also be willing to help you, so don’t be afraid to ask.

Remember, math and science are just a small parts of your total nursing education.

Is nursing a good profession for guys?

Nursing is for anyone who wants to:

	earn between $50,000 and $60,000 per year to start
	be able to work anywhere in the world
	work with your hands and your mind
	make a difference everyday (save a life)
	have flexible hours
	use technology

More men and more people of color are entering nursing today than ever before.

Former firemen and military men choose nursing for the thrill of working in the emergency room or the fun of pediatrics.

How much money do nurses make?

New graduate nurses in California make between $24 to $30 per hour, depending on geographic location.

The highest starting salaries in California are around $60,000 per year. And in some areas, sign on bonuses are being advertised at up to $10,000.

The more education and experience you have, the more money you can earn. For example nurse practitioners makes over $70,000 per year.

Is nursing school expensive?

Community colleges are the least expensive way to go. Seventy percent of nurses educated in California graduate from community colleges. The tuition at community colleges is about $12 per unit.

Four-year schools are around $2,200 per year and the UC’s are about $4,400 for tuition. But don’t let these numbers scare you. The fact is, universities and larger colleges sometimes have the best programs for helping you afford school. Four-year degrees offer even greater opportunities in nursing than community college degrees.

There’s lots of money out there to help you pay for tuition, housing, meals, books, etc. You just have to put in a little effort to get it.

Check out "Paying for School" on this site to find out where some of the money is.

And.. never cross a school off of your list because of cost.

How do I pay for School?

There are many financial aid programs available to students. Financial aid can help pay the costs of your education including tuition and fees, housing, meals, transportation, books and supplies.

Take a look at the resources listed on our site:

	Loans
	Grants
	Scholarships
	Work-study programs

BUT don’t stop looking here. You should ALSO check with:

	Local civic groups (Kiwanis, Rotary)
	Local hospitals and hospital auxillaries (the volunteers)
	Churches, houses of worship and religious denominations
	Professional associations
	Ethnic and Cultural Groups often provide scholarships to outstanding students sharing their respective ethnic or cultural backgrounds
	Credit Unions
	Many companies offer scholarships to the children of employees
	Surf the web

What types of classes will I have to take to become a nurse?

Nursing education includes:

Supervised "hands on" clinical experience in places like hospitals, clinics, community agencies and other health care settings. (A health care setting is anywhere patient care is provided)

Classroom instruction in courses such as:

	Basic Nutrition
	Chemistry
	Psychology
	Human Anatomy (structure of the body)
	Physiology (how the body functions)
	Human Development
	Microbiology (germs)
	Nursing Science
	Pharmacology (drugs and medicines)
	Communication

The classes you are required to take can vary from program to program so you will need to check out requirements for the school you’re interested in attending.