Take the foundational courses necessary to begin your nursing education. These commonly include anatomy and physiology, psychology, and chemistry.
Successfully complete all the general education classes that are required by the institution you attend. These typically include courses in speech, mathematics, English, and the social sciences.
Pass all your nursing core classes. These classes cover subjects such as pharmacology, patient assessment, mental health, ethics, and research.
Complete the required nursing clinical experience, which will allow you to apply the nursing principles learned in your foundational and nursing core classes in practical nursing situations. Some of the experience you will gain through your clinical include taking medical histories, caring for wounds, taking vitals such as blood pressure, pulse, and temperatures, and assisting with examinations.
Pass the standardized licensing exam known as the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).