The cost of being a 4th semster nursing student.

Pin for pinning/graduation ceremony: minimum $43. (They can go as high as $350.)

Fingerprinting and background check for state boards and the Board of Registered Nursing: $72.

Interim permit application fee so I can work between graduation and passing boards: $30.

NCLEX application fee (just to receive a testing date): $75. 

NCLEX exam fee: $200.

Becoming a registered nurse: somebody told me priceless.  I beg to differ.

Let me add up the cost of tuition, books every semester, all the equipment/uniforms, initial background check, immunizations (if you're not immune to, say, pertussis), CPR and ACLS certifications, AND the crap listed above and then I'll let you know the cost of being a registered nurse.  Good thing I didn't go to a private school and rack up an extra $30,000 in costs!

Let's pray I have a job in 3 months.