What Do You Need for Nursing School?
This guide talks about the common things you need to get into nursing school. Find out the classes and requirements you need before applying. When you’re sure about a nursing career, find out what you need for the school you want to go to. Even though each school has slightly different rules, they all need similar things before you start nursing school.
This guide can help you know the requirements for nursing school and what you should learn before you apply.
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Why Prerequisites Are Important for Nursing School
Prerequisites for nursing school give students the basic knowledge they need and show how committed they are. Every nursing program has different rules for who they accept, but completing these prerequisites is important for everyone. Meeting these rules helps in the following ways:
1 Building a Base of Knowledge
Prerequisites give students a starting point for their advanced nursing courses.
2 Academic Skills
Finishing the prerequisite courses shows that you’re good at studying.
3 Dedication
Completing prerequisites shows that you’re really motivated and want to be a nurse.
4 Language
Prerequisite courses teach you medical words that you need to know for advanced classes.
5 Seeing the Bigger Picture
Some of these courses teach more than just nursing. They help you understand math and science better, which helps in nursing and other jobs.
Where and When to Do Nursing School Prerequisites
You can finish the nursing school requirements in different ways. You might do them at the start of your associate degree in nursing (ADN) or bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program. Some schools might even let you use high school courses to finish some nursing prerequisites.
You can also do prerequisites at a community college with a pre-nursing program. These programs teach the things you need to start a BSN program.
People with a degree in something else can join a post-baccalaureate program to finish the courses faster.
No matter where or how you do them, most schools want you to finish these courses within the last five years.
Common Nursing School Prerequisites
Prerequisites are different for every school, but most programs ask for the same classes because they’re important for nursing. It doesn’t matter if you’re getting an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree, or if you’re learning online or in person. These classes are needed so you’re ready for nursing school. Even though getting into a BSN program can be harder, associate and bachelor programs teach you the same stuff to take the nursing licensing exam (NCLEX). So, the courses are important for both.
Because requirements change based on the school and degree, check the school’s website to know the newest rules. Here are some common nursing school prerequisites.
Applying to Nursing School as a First-Generation Nursing Student
Anatomy and Physiology
This class looks at how the body works and teaches you basic words. You learn about the body’s bones, muscles, and nerves, and how diseases affect them. You also learn how to use lab tools, write lab reports, and do research. The advanced class talks about the heart, digestion, breathing, and pee. You need to take lab classes with lecture classes.
How Long/Credits: 1-2 semesters
Example Classes: How the body works, lab for how the body works, more about the body, lab for more about the body
Biology
This covers life’s five groups, cells, how things are named and born, evolution, life in groups, and some genetics. Introductory biology teaches the basics. You also do labs to learn more about biology.
How Long/Credits: Two semesters
Example Classes: General biology, biology lab, basic microbiology, microbiology lab
Microbiology
This class teaches about tiny living things like germs, fungus, and bugs. You learn about these things and how they make people sick. You also learn about diseases, how things spread, and how the body fights them. Knowing about these things helps you avoid getting sick. This class also has a lab where you learn to find and stop bad germs.
How Long/Credits: One semester with lab
Example Classes: Basic microbiology, first-level microbiology, microbiology lab
Chemistry
You need to learn about chemistry to understand how the body works at the smallest level. This class teaches you about atoms, molecules, and chemicals in the body. You also learn how to write about chemical reactions. Labs teach you to analyze and report what you find.
How Long/Credits: One semester with lab
Example Classes: Introduction to chemistry, chemistry for nurses, chemicals for nurses, chemistry lab
Writing
Most programs need two semesters of writing. You learn how to write well, which is important for nursing. You learn to write clearly and explain things to patients and other healthcare workers. These classes also teach you how to think and write about research.
How Long/Credits: Two semesters
Example Classes: Writing I, Writing II, writing for nurses, healthcare writing
Lifespan Growth and Development
This class talks about how people grow up and change. You learn about how humans change from when they start growing to when they’re old. You learn about how people’s bodies change and how they think and feel.
How Long/Credits: One semester
Example Classes: How people grow and change, human growth
Nutrition
This class teaches about healthy eating and how to take care of patients. You learn about how people should eat as they grow. You learn about eating habits, stopping chronic diseases, food safety, and how nutrition helps in public health.
How Long/Credits: One semester
Example Classes: Basics of nutrition, nutrition for nurses
Psychology
This class teaches the basics of psychology. You learn about growth, behavior, learning, memory, and how the brain works. You also learn about tests, personality, how people act in groups, and mental health.
How Long/Credits: One semester
Example Classes: Basic psychology, intro to psychology, psychology for nurses
Statistics
Knowing about statistics helps you use evidence in nursing. You learn how to read vital signs and how to adjust medicine dosages. You also learn how to see patterns in numbers and how to make conclusions from data.
How Long/Credits: One semester
Example Classes: Introduction to statistics, basic statistics for nurses
Other Things You Need for Nursing School
You need more than just these prerequisites for nursing school. For example, most schools need you to get a grade of “C” or better in these classes. ADN programs might take students with a high school GPA of 2.5 to 2.75, but BSN programs need at least a 3.0 GPA. Some harder programs might need GPAs of 3.25 or more.
Most nursing schools ask for an essay that says your goals for education and work. You can make your essay special by saying why you want to go to that school, how you got interested in nursing, and what made you want to help people.
Even if some schools don’t need these tests, students who do well on the SAT or ACT can send the scores to show they’re smart. Some nursing schools need you to take an entrance test, like the National League for Nursing Pre-Admission Exam or the Nursing Entrance Test. These tests show if you can do well in nursing. Check with the schools you want to join to know what tests they need.
Questions About Nursing School Prerequisites
How do I start nursing school?
Understanding Nursing School Prerequisites
First, get a high school diploma or GED. When you’re sure you want to be an RN, find out what kind of degree you want. Then, check with schools you like to know their prerequisites and other rules.
When do you take nursing school prerequisites?
Most people finish nursing school prerequisites in their first two years of college, before they pick a major. Schools often want you to learn statistics, biology, and chemistry. You can do these in high school or the first years of college and still get into a nursing program.
Do nursing prerequisites transfer?
First, get a high school diploma or GED. When you’re sure you want to be an RN, find out what kind of degree you want. Then, check with schools you like to know their prerequisites and other rules.
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