As a nurse, you will hold lives in your hands. Nursing is a responsible job and we need people who take academics seriously. Take college prep courses such as biology, chemistry, physics, and advanced math. And don't forget challenging English, social studies, and foreign language courses, because a key part of nursing is communicating effectively

An aspiring RN can earn a bachelor's of science in nursing (BSN) in four years at a college or university. If you're already an RN, you can enroll in an RN-to-BSN program which is geared specifically for RNs who have an associate's degree or nursing diploma. This path usually takes about two to three years.

This varies widely by school and degree program. Students should expect to pay anywhere from a little less than $100 to more than $300 dollars per credit, with average tuition for online programs sponsored by public universities generally falling in the $110 to 170 range.