How do I become a registered nurse in Southern California??

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nursing_in_...

Registered nurses generally receive their basic preparation through one of three basic avenues:

Associate of Science in Nursing: Graduation from a degree-granting nursing program confering the degree of ASN/AAS or ADN in nursing. This involves two to three years of college level study with a strong emphasis on clinical knowledge and skills.
Diploma in Nursing: Graduation with a three-year certificate from a hospital-based school of nursing. Few of these programs remain in the U.S. and the proportion of nurses practicing with a diploma is rapidly decreasing.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Graduation from a university, from a four - five year program conferring the BSN/BN degree with enhanced emphasis on leadership and research as well as clinically-focused courses.
There are also special programs for "LPN to RN", for people who hold undergraduate degrees in other disciplines, and for paramedics or military medics. Graduates of all programs, once licensed, are eligible for employment as entry-level staff nurses.

Prerequisites for nursing school depend on the school, with baccalaureate programs requiring more courses, in general, than associate degree programs. Usual courses include 3 years of math, 3 yrs of science, including biology and chemistry, 4 years of English and 2 years of language. Additionally, human development, human anatomy with lab, human physiology with lab, microbiology with lab, nutritional science and English composition may be required. Applicants are usually expected to have a high grade point average, especially in the core prerequisites of anatomy, microbiology, chemistry and physiology.[1]

A typical course of study at any level typically includes such topics as, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology and medication administration, psychology, ethics, nursing theory and legal issues in nursing.

All pathways into practice require that the candidate receive clinical training in nursing. Care is delivered by the student nurses under academic supervision in hospital and in other practice settings. Clinical courses typically include:

Maternal-child nursing.
Pediatric nursing.
Adult medical-surgical nursing.
Geriatric nursing.
Psychiatric nursing.
While in clinical training, student nurses are identified by a special uniform to distinguish them from licensed professionals.

In many nursing programs in the United States, a computerized exam is given before, during, and upon completion to evaluate the student and nursing program outcomes. This exam, upon completion of the nursing program, measures a students readiness for the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN state board licensure exam. The exam identifies strengths and weaknesses and areas for remediation prior to taking the state board exam. This is not a requirement of all nursing programs in the United States, but has increased its usage in the past three to four years.

It is common for RNs to seek additional education to earn a Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Science to prepare for leadership or advanced practice roles within nursing. Management and teaching positions increasingly require candidates to hold an advanced degree in nursing. Many hospitals offer tuition reimbursement or assistance to nurses who want to continue their education beyond their basic preparation.

Many nurses pursue voluntary specialty certification through professional organizations and certifying bodies in order to demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in their area of expertise.[2][3]


Most U.S. states and territories require RNs to graduate from an accredited nursing program which allows the candidate to sit for the NCLEX-RN, a standardized examination administered through the National Council of State Nursing Boards. Successful completion of the NCLEX-RN is required for state licensure as an RN.

Nurses from other countries are required to be proficient in English and have their educational credentials evaluated by an association known as the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools prior to being permitted to take the U.S. licensing exam.