- 1). Graduate from high school. Take college preparatory coursework to meet requirements for graduation. For example, take courses such as English, algebra, geometry, chemistry, biology and physics. Foreign language courses are also recommended. Get letters of recommendation from teachers and take the Scholastic Aptitude Test or the American College Testing test so you can include your test scores in your college application.
- 2). Attend either an associate's degree nursing program or a bachelor's degree college nursing program. Obtain financial aid to pay for your schooling. Successfully complete required nursing courses such as health assessment, pathophysiology, clinical concepts, nursing research and nursing process. Also, successfully complete the required nursing practicum in a hospital setting under the supervision of a licensed RN.
- 3). Get a California RN license. Send a completed licensure application to the California State Board of Registered Nursing eight weeks before you graduate. Send your academic transcripts. Get the required fingerprint background check. Pass the National Council Licensing Examination.
- 4). Keep in mind that there are alternative paths to RN licensure in California. For example, even if you do not major in nursing as an undergraduate in college, you can still get a California RN license via a Masters Entry Level Program in Nursing. If you happen to have a license in some other state, you can get an RN license by endorsement. Or, if you have vocational nurse license, you can pursue a Licensed Vocational Nurse 30 units option to get the California RN license. Or, if you happen to be a military corpsman, you can take the NCLEX for an RN license if you have already completed RN clinical experience and education.
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