How to Get In A RN Nursing Program In California

RN Nursing Program in California graduate

The good news is that there are many good public community college and state university nursing programs in California to apply to. The bad news is that the competition is so keen. It is quite possible to apply to 12 public schools with a B+ average and get into zero.

If you're still in high school, you have a clean slate even if you failed high school chemistry. But you have to shape up and get as close to straight As as possible.

For all students, you have to consider more expensive private RN nursing programs in California because of the heavy competition for the cheaper public RN nursing programs. With less than a 3.7, you have to apply to the private programs as insurance in case you don't get into the cheaper public programs.

By getting excellent grades, and applying widely, you give yourself the best chance to get into a RN Nursing program in California.

Instructions

1. Complete all requirements for a typical RN nursing program in a California community college or state university before application. They are:

   - 1 year freshman English composition (remedial college English courses do not count)
   - 1 year A&P (anatomy and physiology)
   - 1 year college chemistry (high school chemistry is not acceptable)
   - 1 semester public speaking
   - 1 semester of microbiology
   - 1 semester of psychology
   - 1 semester of child development
   - 1 semester of statistics
   - 1 semester of nutrition
   - 1 semester of human development
   - 1 semester of sociology
   - complete GE requirements along the way so you don't overload yourself with science classes. You need to complete the GE to get a degree, and you don't want to be taking GE classes during the actual nursing program. The load is going to be hard enough without GE classes.
   - for CSU schools, pass the GWAR writing requirement
   - California residency

   Your GPA killer courses will be in the science courses with lab. Take them seriously, research the professors, and do your best. If you are in danger of getting more than one B, start dropping courses before they show up as a W (withdrawal) grade. Some RN nursing programs don't like to see lots of Ws.

2. Get a high score on the TEAS exam. Do not go for the minimum. An 80 or above would be good. Retake if scores are low. Purchase the official study guide at www.atitesting.com to prepare for the TEAS. For some RN nursing programs, they only allow one repeat of the TEAS score, so study hard for it the first time around. Don't take this test on a whim.

3. Apply to any and all RN nursing programs, public or private, within driving distance of your home. Beggars cannot be choosers. You can't be picky until you have two acceptance letters. Some schools choose randomly after a predetermined minimum threshold, so even a 4.0 GPA could be denied. You took all the extra courses in the earlier steps so you can apply to all schools.

   If you can move to go to nursing school, you should apply to public schools outside of driving distance as well as any private schools with lower admissions requirements. Check with the private schools for their admissions requirements, which are oftentimes lower.

4. Survive the RN nursing program. This is only the beginning of a long struggle to get than RN license. Good luck.

Tips & Warnings

• Because California has so many public school choices for RN nursing programs, the competition is less stiff at all levels from public to private schools than they would be. Nevertheless, it can be very hard to get into a public program less than a 3.70 GPA. Those students need to look at plan B - private nursing schools just in case, especially if a low number of RN nursing programs applied for use random selection.