How to become a RN (Registered Nurse) for free

RN Badge Holder

Are you looking to change careers? Do you want to become a Registered Nurse (RN)? You can become an RN for free! It just takes a bit of dedication to your goal, and a few simple steps. It will take some time to complete as you will need to get your nursing degree, but if you follow the steps you will be able to get it for free!

Things You'll Need

• Ambition
• CNA License (See how to become a CNA for free.
• Health Care Job.
• Financial information (For Grant Applications).
• Resume
• Computer (optional)
• Newspapers
• Employment Magazines

Instructions

1. The first step to getting your Nursing degree for free is to obtain your Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license and a job as a CNA. Preferably in a Hospital setting. See my article listed below on how to become a CNA for free. Once you are in your CNA Position (Or other hospital job), please proceed to step two.

2. 

   Speak to the human resources department at the hospital or place where you are employed. Ask them if they have a tuition reimbursement program for a registered nurse (RN) degree. You may also ask about tuition reimbursement for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) so that you can increase your salary while you are working on your RN degree. If your place of employment does not have a tuition reimbursement program, consider finding a new place of employment that does. Use your resume, the newspaper, job search engines, online, word of mouth, and any other resource you can think of to get in a position where tuition reimbursement is available. It is the key to being able to advance in the medical field. At each interview ASK if they have tuition reimbursement so you can become a registered nurse.

3. 

   Once you have tuition reimbursement information, fill out a federal application for student aid (FAFSA) online. See the resources for the link. This is a Free application. You will probably be able to get a Pell Grant or other grants or scholarships to assist you in paying for your classes to become a Registered Nurse before the tuition reimbursement money kicks in. If you plan it right, you could actually be getting paid to go to school!

4. 

   Apply to the community college or university of your choice. Check out a few local ones, and see which one meets your needs best. Community colleges are usually less expensive than universities. You may also be able to become a registered nurse by attending school online!

5. The final step to becoming a registered nurse for free is to follow through. Maintain your grades and study your best. Nurses need to know a lot of information because people's lives depend on what you are learning in school.

6. Using the above steps: Working in the Medical Field, Tuition Reimbursement, Pell Grant and Other grants, & Scholarships will help you reach your goal and become a registered nurse for free!

Tips & Warnings

• Always let your medical field employer know you are interested in becoming a registered nurse.

• Find a job where a tuition reimbursement program is already in place

• Talk to many different schools. Some programs cost less and have less general requirements.

• Fill out the FAFSA Early.

• Apply for as many scholarships as you qualify for, it will be additional money!

• Becoming a registered nurse takes time and ambition. The road is long but it pays off well as it is rewarding both financially and emotionally.

• Learn as much as you can as you try to become a registered nurse. Someone's life may depend on what you know!

Resources

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid
• Nursing Degree Online
• University of Phoenix
• Fast Web Scholarship Site
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing
• Employment Resouce: Nursing Career (RN)
• Employment Resource: Nursing Career (RN) 2
• How to become a CNA for Free
• Board of Nursing
• Online Yellow Pages