Complete general education courses. Learn what general education courses are required to enter the nursing program at your school. Generally these include English composition, public speaking and human anatomy and physiology. Make sure you complete these prerequisite courses early enough to still apply to the nursing program by the deadline.
Apply for admission. Submit an application to become a student in the nursing program. Provide additional documentation as required. This may include transcripts showing proof of your prerequisite coursework or an essay detailing your interest in a nursing career.
Pass lecture and lab coursework. Attend lecture classes at the beginning of the nursing program that allow you to learn the basic skills required to be a nurse. Practice what you learned in the lecture on mannequins during the lab sessions. Use open lab hours to gain additional experience and practice on nursing procedures you are uncomfortable with since you'll be required to perform them during the clinical portion of your nursing education.
Complete the clinical experience. Attend clinical assignments in hospitals, nursing homes and other medical facilities as assigned by your clinical instructor. Use these assignments to gain experience as a nurse working with real patients while being supervised by your instructor. Receive passing grades on your clinical program to receive your nursing degree and be eligible to sit for the national nursing licensing exam.