I just received my GED, so now i am enrolled in a community college. What do i need to do to become an RN? i know i need to obtain a BSN, but i’m not sure HOW that works.
Also, I know i need to finish my prereqs, but what do i do after my two years at a community college to become an RN?..
note- plan on going to University of Washington after c.c.
You can become an RN with an associate’s degree, a BSN, or with a nursing diploma (such programs are increasingly rare, though). You don’t have to have a BSN to get started (though your advancement opportunities are greater).
To become a registered nurse, you need a nursing degree (any type listed above) from a program approved by the relevant state board of nursing. Then, the state will give you permission to take the NCLEX, which is a pass/fail licensure exam. If you pass, you then receive your RN license and can work in the state where you applied for licensure (doesn’t have to be the same state where you went to school).
While many community colleges offer a pre-nursing major for students planning on pursuing a BSN at a 4-year institution, others offer a complete associate’s-level nursing program that allows you to become an RN without ever setting foot at a 4-year school. I would recommend speaking with an academic counselor at your CC to have them help sort out the best path for you to take, and what specific opportunities are available at that particular institution.