How can you become a nurse without majoring in nursing in college?
Asked by XX
I will be attending Empire state college next year. However, they do not offer nursing as a bachelor program. I will be majoring in science. What do I do from here to become a nurse? I am not aware of any nursing colleges online for international students. I live in Japan by the way and a Japanese citizen. Please let me know if there are any.

Best Answer:
It's because every state requires you to have clinical experience which is physically at a hospital. Initial licensure for RN's does NOT exist, that is why you can't find a program. What I would suggest, is complete a nursing program in Japan, and then find out what you have to do to transfer here. Usually if you have a foreign degree, and can demonstrate proficiency in English (which you can clearly do), you can challenge the NCLEX-RN...you don't have to complete an entire nursing program here too. There are alot of nurses that come to the USA from other countries.

It's not possible to become a nurse without majoring in nursing.
Answered by redsoxlvrx3

You really need to major in nursing to become a nurse, there is just no way around it. The only option I could think of is going to Empire state college as planned, and take perquisites while majoring in one of the sciences as planned. When you graduate form that college, go get a second degree in nursing at another college. It would take longer (at least six years) to become a nurse that way, but it may be worth it if you are being offered a significant scholarship to attend Empire state.
Answered by crazy!!

To work as a nurse, you must pass the NCLEX-RN exam. To be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN Exam, you must have graduated from an accredited nursing program, meaning you must have majored in this program and successfully completed the requirements. They won't allow you to sit for the exam without proof. Think of it like this: would you want a doctor who didn't have to go to medical school? Or an electrician who studied marine biology instead of electrical work? How on earth do you expect to learn nursing skills without going to nursing school?
Answered by Katie S