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You got in. Now decide, and get ready.

How this page makes money. The equipment section near the bottom of this page is the only place on SEAPHE where affiliate links may appear for now. Right now none are live: each item is marked “Retailer link: not live”. When affiliate links are added, each will be marked “Affiliate link”, and if you buy through one, SEAPHE earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Commissions never change our data, our wording, the order of anything on this site, or the notes we add about data limits, and no school, program or education provider pays for placement anywhere on SEAPHE. Read our affiliate and sponsorship disclosure and our integrity rule.

Congratulations. Help the next applicant

Getting a seat in a California RN program is hard, and you just did it. While it’s fresh, would you share how it went? Our 2-minute survey is anonymous: no name, no email. We publish only rounded totals, and a program’s results appear only once 10 or more people have answered for it.

So far, under 10 applicants have shared their outcomes, and 0 of 161 programs have enough answers to show. Each answer moves a program closer to 10.

Share your outcome See applicant outcomes

What happens between now and day one

Every program sends its own onboarding list, and clinical sites can add their own rules. Use this as a list of things to ask about, and follow your program’s instructions over anything here.

Background check and fingerprinting · 5 program examples
  • Fresno Pacific University BSN“Two references (one academic, one professional), personal statement (500+ words); background check and drug screen by May 1”School source, checked Oct 9, 2026
  • Pacific College ADN“Eligibility screening: prerequisites, TEAS 65%, background/drug screen, resume, interview with Program Director or designee”School source, checked Oct 9, 2026
  • Sri Sai Krish Institute ADN“Space-available admission after interview with admissions advisor, HESI A2 55%, background check”School source, checked Oct 9, 2026
  • Westcliff University BSN“Clinical admission: background check, CPR, health insurance/clearance”School source, checked Oct 9, 2026
  • Xavier College ADN“Clinical facilities are required by accreditation/approval agencies to screen staff, volunteers and students for criminal, drug, and violent sex offender-history. Students shall obtain these background screens prior to the first day of clinical practice. (Catalog 2025–2027, p. 16, applicable to all nursing programs)”School source, checked Oct 12, 2026
Drug screening · 3 program examples
  • Fresno Pacific University BSN“Two references (one academic, one professional), personal statement (500+ words); background check and drug screen by May 1”School source, checked Oct 9, 2026
  • Pacific College ADN“Eligibility screening: prerequisites, TEAS 65%, background/drug screen, resume, interview with Program Director or designee”School source, checked Oct 9, 2026
  • Xavier College ADN“Clinical facilities are required by accreditation/approval agencies to screen staff, volunteers and students for criminal, drug, and violent sex offender-history. Students shall obtain these background screens prior to the first day of clinical practice. (Catalog 2025–2027, p. 16, applicable to all nursing programs)”School source, checked Oct 12, 2026
Immunizations (and TB testing, if your program requires it) · 2 program examples
  • Arizona College of Nursing (Ontario) BSN“Program includes HESI A2, textbooks, ATI resources, NCLEX fee; variable costs not included (registration $49, physical/immunizations, insurance)”School source, checked Oct 9, 2026
  • Xavier College ADN“After passing the entrance test, the selected applicant shall submit evidence of current CPR certification; negative TB test (skin or chest x-ray); updated immunizations including Hepatitis B, MMR, Tdap, Covid-19, influenza vaccine and any immunizations the clinical sites add as requirements… Applicants shall submit a report of physical examination completed on the school-provided form, not earlier than 90 days from the first day of the program. (Catalog 2025–2027, p. 12)”School source, checked Oct 12, 2026
CPR / BLS certification · 3 program examples
  • Palo Verde College ADN“Must meet with advisor before applying; age 18 by first day; AHA BLS required at application”School source, checked Oct 9, 2026
  • Westcliff University BSN“Clinical admission: background check, CPR, health insurance/clearance”School source, checked Oct 9, 2026
  • Xavier College ADN“After passing the entrance test, the selected applicant shall submit evidence of current CPR certification; negative TB test (skin or chest x-ray); updated immunizations including Hepatitis B, MMR, Tdap, Covid-19, influenza vaccine and any immunizations the clinical sites add as requirements… Applicants shall submit a report of physical examination completed on the school-provided form, not earlier than 90 days from the first day of the program. (Catalog 2025–2027, p. 12)”School source, checked Oct 12, 2026
Physical exam, uniforms and ID badge · 2 program examples
  • Arizona College of Nursing (Ontario) BSN“Program includes HESI A2, textbooks, ATI resources, NCLEX fee; variable costs not included (registration $49, physical/immunizations, insurance)”School source, checked Oct 9, 2026
  • Xavier College ADN“After passing the entrance test, the selected applicant shall submit evidence of current CPR certification; negative TB test (skin or chest x-ray); updated immunizations including Hepatitis B, MMR, Tdap, Covid-19, influenza vaccine and any immunizations the clinical sites add as requirements… Applicants shall submit a report of physical examination completed on the school-provided form, not earlier than 90 days from the first day of the program. (Catalog 2025–2027, p. 12)”School source, checked Oct 12, 2026
Health insurance · 3 program examples

Comparing offers? What the BRN data can and can’t tell you

If you’re choosing between programs, the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) publishes each program’s first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate every year. It’s a useful question to ask about, not a promise about your own result.

  • Look at more than one year. Each program page shows five years of first-time pass rates, tester counts and a five-year tester-weighted average (a SEAPHE calculation from BRN tables).
  • Check the tester count. Programs with fewer than 20 first-time testers are marked †. One or two results can move a small program’s rate a lot.
  • Know the floor. The BRN’s standard is a 75% first-time pass rate (16 CCR §1431). In 2024–25 the statewide first-time rate was 90.2% (SEAPHE calculation from BRN tables).
  • New programs may not appear yet. A program with no first-time testers isn’t in the BRN pass-rate table, so a missing rate means “no results yet”, not a good or bad result.
  • Ask each program: What were your first-time NCLEX pass rates and tester counts for the last three years? What share of students who start finish on time? (The BRN’s attrition table reports this for many programs.) What does the full program cost, including fees, uniforms and clinical onboarding?

Compare programs side by side · NCLEX pass rates by school

If a program is new or costs more than others you’re considering: price and pass rates are separate things, so it helps to look at the program’s first-time NCLEX results and tester counts alongside the cost. A new program may not have NCLEX results yet, which means there’s less public data to go on, not that the program is better or worse. Good questions to ask: who teaches the courses, where clinical placements happen, and the program’s plans for national accreditation.

Wait for your program’s list before you buy anything

Programs issue their own equipment lists. Many require scrubs in a specific color, and some require a school-branded set bought through the school or supply items in a lab kit. Buying early can mean buying twice. Wait for your program’s list, then buy only what’s on it and not already supplied.

  • Scrubs: often a required color or school-branded set. Extra sets only after you know the rule.
  • Reference books and drug guides: programs often assign a specific title and edition. Buy the one on your syllabus.
  • Blood pressure cuffs and kits: some programs require them, others supply them.

Equipment many nursing students buy

These are common items on program equipment lists. We haven’t tested these products, and we don’t rank or review them. When retailer links are added, they’ll go to retailers so you can compare options yourself. Check your program’s list first.

  • Stethoscope

    The main purchase with a real price range. Check whether your program names a type or model before you buy.

    Retailer link: not live

  • Shoes

    For long clinical shifts. Fit is personal; check your program’s dress code (color, closed toe, material).

    Retailer link: not live

  • Watch with a second hand

    Often required for taking pulses and respirations.

    Retailer link: not live

  • Penlight, bandage scissors and trauma shears

    Small items many lists include.

    Retailer link: not live

  • Compression socks

    Not usually required; many students use them on long shifts.

    Retailer link: not live

  • Clipboard, pocket organizer and badge reel

    Low-cost extras.

    Retailer link: not live

  • Extra scrubs

    Only if your program allows non-branded sets in its required color.

    Retailer link: not live

What starting a program can cost beyond tuition

Uniforms, supplies, onboarding and fees add up, and programs list them differently. Examples from programs’ own published cost sheets:

Ask your program for a written list of every cost from orientation to graduation.

Equipment and requirements change. Your program’s instructions come first. Spot an error? See our corrections policy.