Become a Nurse >> Browse Articles >> Nursing School
Take the Prerequisites
Beth Anderson, RN
If you elect to go the BSN or ADN route, here is a list of the prerequisites you most likely will be required to take:
- General Biology
- General Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Microbiology
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Nutrition
- Developmental Psychology
- English Composition
- Multicultural Studies
- General Education
This list is not comprehensive, but it will certainly give you an idea of where to start. Expect to find some variations depending on where you will be applying. You can take these courses at your local community college or at an online school, so the process of taking them can be affordable and convenient. Explore your options.
The most important and possibly the most challenging course you will take will be Anatomy and Physiology. In this class you will learn the basics of the human body: how it works, and all its parts. You will also develop a sense of what kind of study skills you will need to get through nursing school, so it is advisable to take this course very seriously. It’s going to be the framework that your nursing knowledge is built upon. Remember that when you are memorizing the names of all 206 bones—there’s a reason for it.
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Some advice on getting through the rest of the classes: Try to find ways that you will apply the course to your future nursing career. For example, Microbiology can be challenging, but in this class you’re going to learn about organisms that affect your every day life as a nurse who works in a hospital.
You may ask yourself, “Why do I need to take statistics?” In nursing school you will spend a considerable amount of time with research studies. Once you’ve mastered the art of statistics you will have a much better grasp of what these studies contribute to nursing. In contemporary nursing there is a big trend towards “evidence-based practice,” and it means applying nursing research to what you do at the bedside.
prenursingstu1
over 5 years ago
4 comments
Hi, I am a beginning nursing student. I will soon be starting a CNA training course at Ferncrest Nursing Home in New Orleans, LA. Whoever is taking pre reqs for nursing particularly (LPN/RN) please let me know how you can assist me. Primarily, I am interested in working with children (toddlers or adolescents) as a CNA or throughout my nursing career. If anyone can assist me in anyway I can be emailed at slimmluvva109@yahoo.com Thanx!
riddlefox
over 5 years ago
4 comments
Hi I have been a CNA for 11 years now, I have worked in all the fields, Nursing homes~ Assited living~ homes~ I have worked with Alzheimers and Hospice. there is nothing i love more in this world than to care for and help people. well needless to say i have worn my body out and i want to work in a Dr's office and be a Medical Assistant. any advice would be helpful as far as how that job is. thanks for reading good luck to all entering the nursing field.
animaleyedoc
over 5 years ago
2 comments
i am a graduate veterinarian reaching the end of that career (67years of age) and am interested in nursing as a secondary career..all the prerequesits have been taken apart from human anatomy either in college (57-61) or in vet school (61-65)..please advise as to how i can satisfy the prerequsits and apply to nursing school. I live in the district of columbia and have easy access to maryland or virginia. I do NOT have any intention of repeating any of those courses so if that is necessary, then i will choose an alternative second carreer....thank you ..dr. seth koch
gospellove772003
over 5 years ago
1246 comments
Im so thakful to nurse linl for there informative site this article just answered alot of questions i had in mind. i did attend a community college for a semester and was wondering why i needed engligh but u never know every subject is for a reson and im glad to have had that bite of experience now i know im on the right path.
Ebony3
over 5 years ago
2 comments
I've been in the medical field for 7 years. 5 years as a CNA and 2 as an ILC/ Job Coach to individuals with disablities. I'm really looking forward to becoming an RN because it's my desire and I have a passion for helping people. I'll be starting my prereqs this year and my goal seems so far away because I would also like to obtain a Bachelors in Psychology.
MarciaMullen
over 5 years ago
2 comments
I am a CNA looking to become an RN.My areas of interest are Pediatrics,OB/GYN,and Maternal-Child nursing.I have worked in nursing homes, private duty, and hospitals. I would really like to work in a doctor's office or clinic.
chosengeneration08
over 5 years ago
4 comments
I haven't started but I am considering nursing. Does someone have any advice for me?
chevster
over 5 years ago
6 comments
Just as everyone else, I'm very excited about nursing school. I was just accepted and classes start January 2008. I'm actually looking forward to the clinicals unlike some. I learn best from hands on experience--not so much from books. I guess I'll be using lotz of flash cards to help me. I also have a great friend who just graduated from nursing school and sucessfully passed her NCLEX exam. I'm lucky to have her, she offered to help me in school. Best of luck to all of our future nurses.
sharee76
over 5 years ago
4 comments
i would have to say do what u think is best for you do your college offer room and boarding
sharee76
over 5 years ago
4 comments
I thinks this is pretty cool shows good information.
alyssamaria
over 5 years ago
2 comments
im already in my 3rd year in college for my BSN course but i stop cause i went here in USA im from the philippines i wanna continue my studies here but my family wants me to continue it in the philippines...i dont know what to do
envyangels
over 5 years ago
10 comments
I am Math challenged and when I do Math for about an hour I get this massive headache!
Does anyone know of a Math course for the dyslexic?
zayani312
over 5 years ago
2 comments
does anyone know of a good online chemistry course with a lab?
mhusband
over 5 years ago
2 comments
I am currently switing career paths from teaching to nursing. I am in the process of registering for fall classes where I will be taking microbiology and human anatomy. I am exteeeeeemly nervous because the creative arts where always an easy outlet for study. But I pray that I would be successful in these classes and furthermore, nursing school. I'm finding it quite frustrating to even get the education process rolling but everyday, I take one step at a time.
ttrstory
over 5 years ago
2 comments
I also agree with cutie and mkixmiller that microbiology is much harder than Anatomy and Physiology because you have to study harder in micro because your memory helps you out in Anatomy where it doesn't in micro. I have already taken Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2 and Microbiology at Columbia State Community College in Columbia, TN but starting in the Spring 2008 I will be starting my schooling over at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN after being out of school for 3 yrs. There is so much that I have forgotten that I will have to go back and learn over again. Its gonna be hard with two kids and a husband but I CAN DO IT!!!!!