How to Get Into Nursing School Without Prerequisites

Nursing School Without Prerequisites

Getting admitted into nursing school requires more than hope; you must work hard and be committed. However, 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 before enrolling you in one of their courses and officially becoming 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.

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

Nursing School Without Prerequisites

Nursing School Without Prerequisites – 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, maths, and science classes.

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

This is especially true for BSN (Bachelor of Science Nursing) courses with far more academic hoops than lower-degree programs.

Although all nursing schools have their list of specific prerequisites, some of the common classes you should have taken before 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. The nursing program may require you to attain certain GPAs in these classes and can make you retake them if you score a C or lower.

Why Should You Care About Prerequisites

On the surface, prerequisites seem like silly hoops you must overcome for a college to approve you. 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 medications work in the body, why the body responds the way it does, and more.

Are There Different Prerequisites for Each Nursing Degree

Apart from differences in nursing program prerequisites, you should consider prerequisites for the specific nursing degree you want to pursue.

ADN (Associate’s Degree in Nursing)

ADN programs typically require a minimum GPA for admission, which can vary by institution. They may also offer different career paths compared to BSN programs.

BSN (Bachelor of Science Nursing)

BSN programs have specific requirements for becoming an RN. 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. BSN program GPA requirements vary by institution.

LPN programs have specific prerequisites that can include, but are not limited to, high school algebra, biology, chemistry, and English. However, 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).

You can take other core classes for lower degrees when you start your nursing classes. The time spent on core classes in BSN programs can vary based on the institution and the student’s previous coursework.

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

Final Thought

To sum it up, rather than fearing prerequisites, you must 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

Current Version
June 18, 2022
Written By
Shubham Grover
March 22, 2024
Updated By
Tim Bevelacqua, MN, RN

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