You got in. Now decide, and get ready.
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 162 programs have enough answers to show. Each answer moves a program closer to 10.
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
- Chamberlain University (Irwindale) BSN“Drug screen, background and fingerprint check; FAQ states Chamberlain University-California acceptance rate 25%”School source, checked
- Chamberlain University (Sacramento/Rancho Cordova) BSN“Drug screen, background and fingerprint check; FAQ states Chamberlain University-California acceptance rate 25%”School source, checked
- 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
- Pacific College ADN“Eligibility screening: prerequisites, TEAS 65%, background/drug screen, resume, interview with Program Director or designee”School source, checked
- Sri Sai Krish Institute ADN“Space-available admission after interview with admissions advisor, HESI A2 55%, background check”School source, checked
- Weimar University ADN“Criteria include GPA, Kaplan score, and dedication to a healthy lifestyle (NEWSTART principles); background check”School source, checked
- Westcliff University BSN“Clinical admission: background check, CPR, health insurance/clearance”School source, checked
- 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
Drug screening
- Chamberlain University (Irwindale) BSN“Drug screen, background and fingerprint check; FAQ states Chamberlain University-California acceptance rate 25%”School source, checked
- Chamberlain University (Sacramento/Rancho Cordova) BSN“Drug screen, background and fingerprint check; FAQ states Chamberlain University-California acceptance rate 25%”School source, checked
- 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
- Pacific College ADN“Eligibility screening: prerequisites, TEAS 65%, background/drug screen, resume, interview with Program Director or designee”School source, checked
- 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
Immunizations (and TB testing, if your program requires it)
- 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
- 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
CPR / BLS certification
- Palo Verde College ADN“Must meet with advisor before applying; age 18 by first day; AHA BLS required at application”School source, checked
- Westcliff University BSN“Clinical admission: background check, CPR, health insurance/clearance”School source, checked
- 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
Physical exam, uniforms and ID badge
- 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
- 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
Health insurance
- University of the Pacific ELM“Clinical lab fee $700/semester; wellness fee; health insurance $2,524 (waivable)”School source, checked
- Westcliff University BSN“Clinical admission: background check, CPR, health insurance/clearance”School source, checked
- Western University of Health Sciences ELM“Tuition $70,800 + $57,525; clinical fees $1,061/semester; health insurance $5,374/yr included”School source, checked
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?
Filter programs by degree type and region · 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.
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:
- American Career College ADN“Tuition $81,275; fees $9,500; books/supplies $1,637; application fee $60”School source, checked
- American University of Health Sciences BSN“Registration $75; books $500/quarter; tuition excludes books, supplies, uniforms (2026-27 catalog)”School source, checked
- California Nurses Educational Institute ADN“Not included: NursingCAS fee $65, uniforms $200; catalog July 2026-Dec 2027”School source, checked
- Loma Linda University BSN“Excludes books/supplies allowance and living costs”School source, checked
- Loma Linda University ELM“Excludes books/supplies and living costs”School source, checked
- United Nursing College ADN“Semester totals $19,578 / $17,351 / $17,351 / $16,469; incl. LMS, lab kit, Complio; no Title IV aid”School source, checked
- Westcliff University BSN“Fees: application $75, TEAS $70/attempt, lab fee $400 (BSN) or $600 (ELM)/semester, ATI $660/semester, skills packet $300/semester, uniform $500/year”School source, checked
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.