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First look at what schools are available to you. I would only consider accredited programs (those at which you earn an actual college degree, either associates (2 year) or bachelors (4 year).

Community colleges (2 year) and public universities (4 year) are much less expensive than private schools but are harder to get into academically, since the competition is greater because of the low cost.

Once you have a list of possible schools, begin to look closer at their programs. What are the requirements for admission, is there a waiting list, a lottery system, or is the selection process based strictly on grades (nursing schools usually have a list of classes you have to take before you can apply to the actual nursing program, these are called pre-requisties, and it is often the grades in these classes that are used as qualifiers for entering the actual nursing program). You can also check with the states board of education for the statistics of the NCLEX pass rate for the schools on your list.

Once you're familiar with the various schools and their programs, determine what your work schedule (if you have to work while going to school) and other time commitments in your life best fit with the schools that you're considering.

Once you settle on a particular school, come up with a strategy for getting into the program. At the minimum this usually means high grades on the prerequisites, so apply yourself, but don't be in a hurry and take so many courses at once that you can't do well in any of them - take as much time at this point as you're comfortable with to get excellent grades, even it means taking only one course in a semester.

Once you complete the prerequisites and other qualifications, you can apply to the school and program of your choice, once you get in be determined to stay in and succeed!

It might sound like a long and complicated process but it really isn't, just take it one step at a time and you'll be a nurse before you know it.