An overview on choosing the right nursing school

I - Requirements:

Almost all nursing schools require 3 core courses:

1 - Anatomy

2 - Physiology

3 - Microbiology

Additional requirements are varied among nursing schools.

II - Which nursing schools should I go for?

1 - Community College:

Fee: more affordable (about $20.00/unit for CA residents, $185/unit for out-of-state students) $220/unit for international students)

Degree: Associated in Arts (AA degree)

Nursing entrance exam: YES (often TEAS)

Eligibility to take NCLEX exam: YES

Difficulty: long wait lists (often 1 year) or open slots by lottery

2 - California State University:

Fee:
Degree: Bachelor's degree (AA degree)
Nursing entrance exam: YES (often TEAS)
Eligibility to take NCLEX exam: YES

Difficulty: very competitive, requires hospital experience, good GPA, good percentile on the nursing entrance exam, and additional prerequisite courses are required.

3 - University of California*:

Fee:

Degree: Bachelor's degree

Nursing entrance exam: NO

Eligibility to take NCLEX exam: YES

Difficulty: very competitive, may require hospital experience, good GPA, and several prerequisite courses are required.

*currently only UCLA and UCI have nursing programs for transfer students.

** Students with bachelor's degrees have more UC school options other than just UCLA and UCI to choose from.

*** Students with bachelor's degrees have higher chances to get in.

4 - Private Universities in California:

Fee: very expensive
Degree: Bachelor's degree
Nursing entrance exam: NO
Eligibility to take NCLEX exam: YES
Difficulty: not easy but easier than other public schools.

5 - Out-of-state universities:

Fee: varied

Degree: Bachelor's degree

Nursing entrance exam: NO

Eligibility to take NCLEX exam: YES

Difficulty: varied

Contact schools for more information.

To be continued