Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.
allnurses

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.
Discussion

Where Do I Start?

Hello!

I am new and I have a feeling there are plenty of threads like this, but anyways here goes. I would like to become a nurse, but I don't know where to start. Do I go to any college (I graduated high school)? What if I don't want a bachelors right away? Or do I get in touch with someone, like having connections? How do I start? I am very lost.

Thanks in advance!

Oh, I am moving to Washington soon, I am in California now, but if anyone has any ideas that would be great!

  • Quote

    • Featured Replies

    Yes, you can go to any college which has a nursing program (tons do so you shouldn't have a problem finding one). You don't have to get a bachelors degree, you can become a RN with an associates(you can also go the quicker LPN route but the job opportunities are more limited). Start by looking at the colleges close to where you are going to be living. Look at their website which will list their programs and the requirements.

  • Quote

    Also check out accreditation and NCLEX pass rates

  • Quote
    • Author

    Ayvah,

    Thank you very much for this!

  • Quote
    • Author

    VampyrSlayer,

    What is a NCLEX pass rate?

  • Quote

    Take a look at the job market in WA. I know here in CA, you need a BSN for most positions. I believe a lot of places in WA are the same way.

    An NCLEX pass rate is the percentage of graduates from a given program that passed the NCLEX, which is the licensure exam you will need to take in order to be a RN.

    You can start out taking prerequisite courses at any community college, and transfer to wherever you end up going into a nursing program. You can even take some of those general ed and prereq courses while you're still here in CA and then more in WA and have the transcripts all forwarded to wherever you apply.

  • Quote

    Have you looked into becoming a CNA? Some employers offer free CNA training. You can get a taste of basic nursing, and decide if it's really what you want to do. Some facilities will even pay for you to become an LPN or RN.

  • Quote
    • Guides

    You become a "nurse" by completing your degree (associate or bachelorss), you then take the licensing exam (NCLEX) in order to register with the state as having proved your knowledge with the test and your degree. Your license to practice as a nurse is then issued by whichever state you took the exam in, and the license is then "registered" with the state Board of Nursing. Hence, RN. Each state sets its own standards, but most will let you transfer your license to another state. If you are from a state with low standards, a state with higher ones may deny you a license if your scores were too low.

    As Not-a-Hat said, very few schools accept you straight into a nursing program. You have to take quite a few classes, such as anatomy/physiology, math, English, chemistry, biology, (and a lot more for Bach!). There are entrance exams such as TEAS or HESI that indicate if you are likely to be able to pass nursing courses as well. Nursing schools look at your pre-requisite class grades and exam scores, as well as your high school GPA, to decide who to accept into the program (often called SON, for School of Nursing).

    Most schools have admission counselors that are more than willing to make an appointment with you that will go over what it takes to get a nursing degree from the school; and help you with registration, etc.

  • Quote

    Although you can become an LPN with a diploma from a college :)

  • Quote

    I would add...go to a hospital where you may want to work and ask the HR people what they look for when hiring nurses. Do they only hire BSNs? What can you do to make your resume stronger? Do not go by rumors. You will hear people say there are either to many or not enough nurses. Do your own research. Be proactive. Also go talk to schools and ask about the application process. Classes...schedules... be proactive.

  • Quote

    • Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Add a Comment
    Go to topic listing

    Currently Reading 0

    • No registered users viewing this page.

    Account

    Navigation

    Search

    Search

    Configure browser push notifications
    Chrome (Android)
    1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
    2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
    3. Adjust your preference.
    Chrome (Desktop)
    1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
    2. Select Site settings.
    3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.