A registered nurse (RN) provides care to patients in a variety of settings. If you are interested caring for patients in a career as a registered nurse, read on to learn how to become a registered nurse.

Registered nurses are important health providers. In many situations, registered nurses are the primary managers of patient care. In order to become a registered nurse, you need to obtain a high school diploma, successfully complete a program that will grant you a degree as a registered nurse (RN), and become licensed by the state to practice as a registered nurse.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows Registered Nurses as the largest health care occupation encompassing more than 2 million individuals in the career field. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm

A nursing program will require either a high school diploma or a GED.

1. High school courses in English, algebra, chemistry, biology, physics and psychology will help prepare you for nursing school. Electives in anatomy, health, computers and technology will also be helpful.
2. Admission to nursing schools is competitive, so you'll want to work hard and get good grades in high school. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is usually required, but some schools have higher standards. A higher GPA can make the difference in being selected to attend or not.http://www.nursingdegreeguide.org/articles/types_of_nurses/becoming_a_registered_nurse_rn/
3. Most nursing schools also require that you submit scores from either the ACT or the SAThttp://www.nursingdegreeguide.org/articles/types_of_nurses/becoming_a_registered_nurse_rn/

A nursing education program can consist of a four year program which grants both an RN and a BS in Nursing, or a three year diploma program, or a two year associate's program.http://www.nursingdegreeguide.org/articles/types_of_nurses/becoming_a_registered_nurse_rn/ Although the associate's degree program is the most common educational path to a nursing degree, if you are planning to advance beyond direct patient care, or specializing in a sub-specialty that requires a master's degree, you'll need a bachelor's degree first and accomplishing it in conjunction with the associates studies may make the process quicker. http://www.allnursingschools.com/faqs/be_rn Courses in the nursing program may consist of nursing theory classes and also will include clinical hours. http://bellevuecollege.edu/programs/degrees/proftech/nurs/

Course requirements will vary from college to college and program to program. Most degrees will require general education studies which are consistent with other degree programs. This includes basic studies like language, math, and computer courses. Nursing specific courses may include those in a biology related track like Anatomy and Physiology or Microbiology. Some degree plans may require sociology or psychology courses and many require health care classes, ethics classes, and clinicals. http://nursing.iupui.edu/degrees/rtob/degree.shtml

Each state board of nursing has its own licensing requirements which includes graduating from an approved nursing program and usually includes passing an examination which has both written and clinical components. The the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-RN, is generally required in order to obtain a nursing license.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm You'll need to contact your state board of nursing to learn their requirements for becoming licensed as a registered nurse.

Degree requirements are established at the time of entry into a college program. It is important to work continuously towards accomplishment and completion of the degree as most colleges have interruption policies. If students fail to attend for a specific period of time, their reentry enters them into the most current degree plan requirements which may require additional classes beyond what was planned previously. http://nursing.iupui.edu/degrees/rtob/degree.shtml