The healthcare industry largely depends on nurses’ dedication, experience, and knowledge. Nurses are compassionate individuals who serve as advocates, educators, and healers throughout a patient’s care journey.

Furthermore, with a median annual salary of $81,220 and an employment growth rate of six percent, it’s no surprise why many individuals pursue a career in nursing.

To become a nurse, candidates must complete nursing school, pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), and submit an application for RN licensure in their state. Yet, starting nursing school isn’t just a matter of applying and enrolling! When researching the admission requirements, many students are surprised to discover there are certain, prerequisite classes that prepare them for nursing school.

Read on to learn about the essential pre-nursing classes to take before nursing school.

What is nursing school?

Nursing school helps candidates get into the nursing field, advance their skills in patient care, prepare for different nursing roles, become eligible for licensure, and perfect the quality of care they provide.

Common programs and degrees found in nursing schools include:

• Associate degree in Nursing (ADN): This two-year program is popular for those seeking a more traditional entry point into nursing.
• Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN): Traditional BSN programs typically take four years to complete and are offered as a comprehensive route to an entry-level nursing career.
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certificate: This program prepares individuals to provide basic nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse.
• Master’s in Nursing (MSN): An MSN degree helps seasoned nurses advance their career and earning potential, preparing them for leadership positions and more.
• Master’s in Nursing with APRN focus, such as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) degree or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) MSN degree: These programs allow nurses to develop their careers and become advanced practice registered nurses in dedicated areas like family practice or mental health.
• Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN) program and Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN): These respective programs are ideal for those who are already registered nurses or individuals with a bachelor’s degree in another field who want to become nurses quickly.

The duration of nursing school varies depending on the chosen program. However, completing prerequisite courses beforehand can shorten the time one spends in nursing school. For example, at Goodwin University, students who complete their pre-nursing courses can finish their associate degree in Nursing part-time in as few as 20 months.

Download our free guide to becoming a registered nurse here!

5 prerequisite classes to take before nursing school

Every nursing school will have different prerequisites for their program, so students should research to understand what will be expected of them.

That said, the required coursework needed to get into a nursing program is very similar across the board. Remember that many schools, like Goodwin University, require students to complete these courses with a “C” or “C+” grade or higher.

1. Mathematics

Math courses, like Mathematical Applications for the Health Sciences, are designed for those pursuing careers in health-related professions.

Emphasis is placed on becoming proficient at arithmetic and algebra, converting measurements, interpreting data, and applying mathematical concepts to address professional problems within context, such as medication calculations and data interpretation.

2. Chemistry

Aspiring nursing students must take a chemistry (Chem 101) class or equivalent. Chemistry 101 is a course providing a survey study of chemistry with an emphasis on general, organic, and biological chemistry.

Concepts covered in this course include:

• Acid and bases
• Chemical reactions
• Gas laws
• General concepts of organic chemistry
• Interactions of matter and energy
• Measurement
• Nuclear radiation
• Solutions
• The four major organic compound groups essential for life—Lipids, Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Nucleic Acids

Laboratory sessions are also coordinated with the lectures, emphasizing experimentation and application of the lecture content.

3. Biology: Anatomy & Physiology 1 (BIO 211)

Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO 211) is a comprehensive study of the structure and function of the human body. Students learn about the chemical, anatomical, and physiological principles of cells and tissues of the human body as well as the integumentary, muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems.

They also engage in laboratory sessions and experiments to supplement classroom lectures through microscopic analysis of selected slides, specimen dissection, chemical experimentation, and review of anatomical models.

4. Biology: Anatomy & Physiology II (BIO 212)

Anatomy and Physiology II (BIO 212) builds upon Anatomy and Physiology I by focusing on the structure and function of the human body.

This class focuses on the anatomy and physiology of the sensory, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, immune, lymphatic, gastrointestinal, renal, and reproductive systems. Students can expect to learn about the diseases of these systems through lectures and experiments, such as the dissection of the fetal pig, microscopic analysis of selected slides, and review of anatomical models.

Both Biology (BIO) 211 and Chemistry (CHEM) 101 or 110 are prerequisites for this course.

5. Biology: Microbiology (BIO 235)

Microbiology explores the role of microorganisms in disease and health by understanding infectious agents and their control measures for effective infection prevention and patient safety.

Students will learn about the structure, function, growth, and transmission of viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoans, helminths, and vectors of pathogenic agents.

Note that, typically, nursing students must complete prerequisite courses within the last five years.

Applying to nursing school at Goodwin University

In addition to the above prerequisite courses, aspiring nursing students must fulfill other application requirements to be accepted into nursing school.

For example, at Goodwin University, students must:

• Complete the application for admission into Goodwin University
• Complete the Nursing program application
• Earn a minimum GPA of 2.7 in the most recent course work, based on a minimum of twelve completed credits at Goodwin University
• Submit to a background check and drug screening
• Take the pre-admission examination – the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)

Are you ready to take the next step toward an exciting nursing career? Let Goodwin University support you every step of the way with our flexible programs, expert faculty, and comprehensive support services.

Contact us for more information on how to meet all the requirements for our nursing program. We’re ready when you are!