How to Get Into Nursing School Without Prerequisites?

Nursing School Without Prerequisites?

Getting admitted into nursing school requires more than hope; you need to work hard and be committed throughout. But one thing you should consider before applying to any nursing school is the prerequisites put in place by virtually all programs.

All nursing schools have set certain thresholds you must meet before they enroll you in one of their courses and officially become part of the institution’s nursing program.

The amount and type of prerequisites vary based on the nursing degree you want to pursue, but science subjects are the main focus.

That said, in this review, we’ll look at which prerequisites you need, why you need them, and how long it takes to complete them.

Which Prerequisites Do You Need for Nursing School

There are two kinds of prerequisites you need to worry about regarding nursing school. For starters, the nursing school you decide on most likely has a list of high school classes you must take to be admitted there.

This includes a specific number of years studying English grammar as well as maths and science classes.

If you didn’t enroll in the appropriate classes in high school, you’ll need to take them prior to being accepted by your nursing program of choice.

Secondly, once you commence your college classes, you’ll need to pass some of them with a specific GPA (grade-point average) prior to being accepted by the nursing program.

This is especially true for BSN (Bachelor of Science Nursing) courses, which have far more academic hoops to jump through compared to lower-degree programs.

Although all nursing schools have their list of specific prerequisites, some of the common classes you should have taken prior to enrolling in a nursing program include

1. Biology
2. Biology Lab
3. Chemistry (Inorganic)
4. Chemistry (Organic)
5. Chemistry Lab
6. Developmental Psychology
7. Microbiology
8. Microbiology Lab
9. Nursing Mathematics
10. Nutrition

Note that science is the main focus of most nursing programs which is why you need the best scores in these classes. In fact, the nursing program may require you to attain certain GPAs in these classes and can make you retake them if you score a grade C or lower.

Why Should You Care About Prerequisites?

On the surface, prerequisites seem like silly hoops you need to overcome for a college to give you its stamp of approval. But these classes are the foundation for the rest of the nursing classes you’ll take on campus.

These classes will help you understand how data can be examined in clinical practice, how meds work in the body, why the body responds the way it does, etc.

Are There Different Prerequisites for Each Nursing Degree?

Apart from differences in nursing program prerequisites, you should also consider prerequisites for the specific nursing degree you’d like to pursue.

ADN (Associate’s Degree in Nursing)

For an ADN, you don’t have to maintain a GPA as high as that of BSN students because most ADN programs set the minimum GPA as 2.75. But there is a catch ADN doesn’t offer the same career advancement opportunities as BSN.

BSN (Bachelor of Science Nursing)

BSN classes that mold you into an RN (registered nurse) have stringent requirements. But they give you the best and most helpful degree which offers the most opportunities for career advancement in the future.

So if you have the time to spare and the academic zeal, BSN might be perfect for you. However, note that most BSN programs set the minimum GPA as 3.0

Finally, if you want to become an LPN (licensed practical nurse), you only need to fulfill minor prerequisites such as basic high school algebra, biology, chemistry, and English. But this will vary based on the institution offering the nursing program.

How Long Does It Take to Finish Nursing Prerequisites?

You can complete the necessary classes in high school for lower degrees, albeit you might still need to prove you have attained a certain GPA or minimum score on the college entrance ACT (American College Test) or SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test).

For lower degrees can take other core classes at the same time you start your nursing classes. You should be prepared to spend the first year of your four-year degree program completing the core classes for BSN programs.

Unfortunately, if you don’t attain the necessary grades you need in core classes for BSN programs, you might need an extra semester to retake those classes.

Final Thought

To sum it all up, rather than fearing prerequisites, you need to embrace them as a vital part of your career foundation.

Also, by identifying your nursing school of choice early, you will be set to complete your prerequisites early, sometimes even before the program starts.

See Also

Best Nursing Schools in the US

Grants for Nursing School

Nurse Practitioner Salary in the US

Travel Nursing Agencies

Grants for Medical Travel

Best Nursing Schools in Texas

Best Nursing Schools in Las Vegas

Nursing School Interview Questions