Does anyone know what it takes to become a registered nurse?
Asked by ashley
I would like to know the steps to become a registered nurse. Starting from high school.

Best Answer:
Well, first you need to graduate from highs school and go to a university that offers the nursing degree. (You only need a bachelor of science degree) The nursing degree is quite competitive so you will for the first two years have to take the prerequisites(microbiology, chemistry, human development, anatomy and physiology) Then you will have to apply to the nursing program and to get into the nursing program you have to take a test that demonstrates your current knowledge. Oh, also you need to be fluent in a foreign language as well. Once you are in the nursing program you are set. All you have to do is pass your nursing classes(which are hard but if you love the major then you should be fine) and once you graduate from an university you have to take a state test to become a official registered nurse. Then bam you have your dream job! Good luck on your journey there.
Myself and my experience giving presentations on how to become a nurse.
Answered by Glittergal

You need to go to college for nursing. When you complete college, you have to sit and pass the state board exam.
Answered by jseah114

all i can say is try your best and study hard it is hard test to take for some peoples but my girlfriend is a nurse she even have her own office with a lote files to just study for it you be ok
Answered by baertholomew

College is right. at least 2 years for an associate degree. Most programs are 4 year now. And then your have to pass state exams. Of course 4 year degrees (a Bachelors Degree) will pay more. A lot of nurses then go on to graduate school so they can work in hospital administration.
Answered by Pamela C

Try calling the career center at your local community college. Most comm. colleges have a low-cost vocational nursing program that includes RN and LVN programs. The coursework has prerequisites that you need to complete before applying to the RN or LVN certificate program, and you can earn credits (and money) by working in your field during school. Due to their relatively low cost, most nursing programs have LONG wait-lists, so take the pre-reqs as soon as you can. Make certain that whichever program you choose is an ACCREDITED, respected program, or you will be paying and working for nothing.
Answered by Cate

In all States and the District of Columbia, students must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass a national licensing examination, known as the NCLEX-RN, in order to obtain a nursing license. Nurses may be licensed in more than one State, either by examination or by the endorsement of a license issued by another State. Currently 18 States participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact Agreement, which allows nurses to practice in member States without recertifying. All States require periodic renewal of licenses, which may involve continuing education. There are three major educational paths to registered nursing: A bachelor's of science degree in nursing (BSN), an associate degree in nursing (ADN), and a diploma. BSN programs, offered by colleges and universities, take about 4 years to complete. In 2004, 674 nursing programs offered degrees at the bachelor's level. ADN programs, offered by community and junior colleges, take about 2 to 3 years to complete. About 846 RN programs in 2004 granted associate degrees. Diploma programs, administered in hospitals, last about 3 years. Only 69 programs offered diplomas in 2004. Generally, licensed graduates of any of the three types of educational programs qualify for entry-level positions as staff nurses. Many RNs with an ADN or diploma later enter bachelor's programs to prepare for a broader scope of nursing practice. Often, they can find a staff nurse position and then take advantage of tuition reimbursement benefits to work toward a BSN by completing an RN-to-BSN program. In 2004, there were 600 RN-to-BSN programs in the United States. Accelerated master's degree programs in nursing also are available. These programs combine 1 year of an accelerated BSN program with 2 years of graduate study. In 2004, there were 137 RN-to-MSN programs. Accelerated BSN programs also are available for individuals who have a bachelor's or higher degree in another field and who are interested in moving into nursing. In 2004, more than 165 of these programs were available. Accelerated BSN programs last 12 to 18 months and provide the fastest route to a BSN for individuals who already hold a degree. Individuals considering nursing should carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of enrolling in a BSN program, because, if they do, their advancement opportunities usually are broader. In fact, some career paths are open only to nurses with a bachelor's or master's degree. A bachelor's degree often is necessary for administrative positions and is a prerequisite for admission to graduate nursing programs in research, consulting, and teaching, and all four advanced practice nursing specialties—clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners. Individuals who complete a bachelor's receive more training in areas such as communication, leadership, and critical thinking, all of which are becoming more important as nursing care becomes more complex. Additionally, bachelor's degree programs offer more clinical experience in nonhospital settings. In 2004, 417 nursing schools offered master's degrees, 93 offered doctoral degrees, and 46 offered accelerated BSN-to-doctoral programs. All four advanced practice nursing specialties require at least a master's degree. Most programs last about 2 years and require a BSN degree and some programs require at least 1 to 2 years of clinical experience as an RN for admission. In 2004, there were 329 master's and post-master's programs offered for nurse practitioners, 218 master's and post-master's programs for clinical nurse specialists, 92 programs for nurse anesthetists, and 45 programs for nurse midwives. Upon completion of a program, most advanced practice nurses become nationally certified in their area of specialty. In some States, certification in a specialty is required in order to practice that specialty. All nursing education programs include classroom instruction and supervised clinical experience in hospitals and other health care facilities. Students take courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, psychology and other behavioral sciences, and nursing. Coursework also includes the liberal arts for ADN and BSN students. Supervised clinical experience is provided in hospital departments such as pediatrics, psychiatry, maternity, and surgery. A growing number of programs include clinical experience in nursing care facilities, public health departments, home health agencies, and ambulatory clinics. Nurses should be caring, sympathetic, responsible, and detail oriented. They must be able to direct or supervise others, correctly assess patients' conditions, and determine when consultation is required. They need emotional stability to cope with human suffering, emergencies, and other stresses. Some RNs start their careers as licensed practical nurses or nursing aides, and then go back to school to receive their RN degree. Most RNs begin as staff nurses, and with experience and good performance often are promoted to more responsible positions. In management, nurses can advance to assistant head nurse or head nurse and, from there, to assistant director, director, and vice president. Increasingly, management-level nursing positions require a graduate or an advanced degree in nursing or health services administration. They also require leadership, negotiation skills, and good judgment. For information on a career as a registered nurse and nursing education, contact: * National League for Nursing, 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006. Internet: http://www.nln.org For information on nursing career options, financial aid, and listings of BSN, graduate, and accelerated nursing programs, contact: * American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 1 Dupont Circle NW., Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036. Internet: http://www.aacn.nche.edu For additional information on registered nurses, including credentialing, contact: * American Nurses Association, 8515 Georgia Ave., Suite 400, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Internet: http://nursingworld.org For information on the NCLEX-RN exam and a list of individual States' boards of nursing, contact: * National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 111 E. Wacker Dr., Suite 2900, Chicago, IL 60611. Internet: http://www.ncsbn.org
Answered by steve

Two years of nursing school. Because there is a shortage, some hospitals have arrangement with nursing schools to pay tuition in return for an agreement to work for the hospital. There are also government grants and loans. http://www.allnursingschools.com/
Answered by kadel