What are the prerequisites for nursing? Nursing prerequisites are courses that you must complete before starting nursing school to ensure you have the necessary foundational knowledge. You can often complete them online. The number of courses you’ll need to complete depends on your prior academic credits.
If you have previous non-nursing college credits or a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree, a nursing degree is closer than you might think. With Concordia University Texas’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) track, you can graduate with a BSN in as few as 16 months, not including the time needed to complete prerequisites.
Before you can enroll in an accelerated BSN program, you might need to complete nursing prerequisites. What are the prerequisites for nursing? These courses teach the foundational knowledge necessary to tackle the nursing school curriculum.
You probably have a few questions before getting started. How many prerequisites are needed for nursing? Where can I take prerequisite courses for nursing? How long will it take? Don’t worry. Based on your existing education, our admissions counselors will help you map which courses you need to complete before you’re eligible to enroll and answer any lingering questions you may have.
What Are Nursing Prerequisites?
Prerequisites are the required courses you must complete ahead of your nursing school start date. They teach foundational concepts in areas like nutrition, human anatomy, and chemistry. Your admissions counselor will review your transcripts to determine which prerequisites you need to take. This depends largely on your prior education and transferable credits.
For Concordia Texas’s ABSN track, you must complete all prerequisites with a grade of C or higher while maintaining both cumulative and science GPAs of 3.0 or above.
Which Prerequisites Do I Need With a Non-Nursing Bachelor’s Degree?
What are the prerequisites for nursing if you have a completed degree? With a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you can expect to complete the following prerequisites at Concordia Texas:
- Chemistry I with Lab
- Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II with Lab (two courses)
- Intro to Statistics
- Introduction to Psychology
- Lifespan Development
- Medical Spanish for Healthcare Professionals
- Microbiology with Lab
- Nutrition
Additionally, Concordia Texas requires the following courses, which exemplify our Christian mission and values:
- Leadership Theory and Practice
- Life and Leadership
- New Testament
- Old Testament
At Concordia Texas, you can start your ABSN Track before completing the last two courses, but you must complete them no later than the first two semesters.
Which Prerequisites Do I Need With 60-Plus Transferable College Credits?
How many prerequisites are needed for nursing without a previously completed degree? If you apply to the ABSN track with at least 60 credits, then you must complete all the courses listed above. Additionally, you must complete the Concordia Texas Common Experience core courses:
- Academic Research and Writing
- Fine Arts
- Fundamentals of Communication
- Government
- Introduction to Literature
- U.S. History
Completing these prerequisite courses ensures you are as academically well-rounded as possible. During your prerequisites, you’ll build a general education foundation, become familiar with human growth and development at all life stages, and be introduced to Concordia Texas’s Christ-centered curriculum.
Learn how to make a career change to nursing in just five steps.
How Many Prerequisites Are Needed for Nursing?
This depends on whether you have a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree or only a minimum of 60 college credits. If you have a completed degree, you’ll likely need to take fewer prerequisite courses. Check with your admissions counselor to determine which courses you need to complete.
Where Can I Take Prerequisite Courses for Nursing?
You won’t have to look far to find a school that offers all the required prerequisites. You can complete each of them at Concordia University Texas.
Taking your prerequisites at Concordia Texas offers some advantages:
- You’ll become familiar with our online learning platform.
- You’ll explore our Christ-centered curriculum.
- You’ll start nursing school on an equal footing with other students.
- Your admissions counselor can keep an eye on your progress and assist as needed.
Can You Take Nursing Prerequisites Online?
At Concordia Texas, our ABSN track curriculum is available in a hybrid format. It blends online coursework and in-person learning through skills and simulation labs, as well as clinical placements. Because of our emphasis on online learning, we offer our prerequisites online as well.
Can you get a nursing degree online? It’s a common question without a simple yes or no answer.
How Long Does It Take to Do Prerequisites for Nursing?
Each student’s nursing school journey is different. The length of time it takes depends on the number of prerequisites you must complete and your class schedule.
At Concordia Texas, you can complete the nursing prerequisites online in eight-week increments. This gives you a faster path toward admittance into the ABSN track.
Do note, however, that Concordia Texas has more applicants with completed degrees than those with a minimum number of college credits. Consequently, we are occasionally unable to offer certain prerequisites online. When this happens, we always have 16-week in-person courses available at our nursing satellite campus in Austin.
Why Are Prerequisite Courses Important?
There are a few reasons why nursing prerequisite courses are important. Consider the following:
- You can refine your study habits and get back into the rhythm of school.
- You’ll acquire an important base of knowledge.
- You'll become familiar with online learning.
- You'll be prepared for nursing classes.
What Classes Are Required to Be a Nurse?
The nursing prerequisites are designed to prepare you for work the nursing school curriculum. Once in nursing school, you can expect to explore topics such as:
- Adult health theory and skills
- Child/family theory and skills
- Community and global health
- Maternal/newborn theory and skills
- NCLEX preparation and review
- Nursing leadership and management
- Nursing research
- Pharmacology
- Professionalism in nursing
How Can I Apply to Concordia Texas’s ABSN Track?
Once you’ve completed the prerequisite coursework with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, you’ll be eligible to apply for our ABSN track. Applications will include your transcripts, a personal essay explaining why you want to earn a BSN from Concordia Texas, and three professional recommendations. You must also complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) within the last three years with a score of 67% or higher.
Start Preparing for Nursing School Today
Now that you understand the nursing school prerequisites and how to complete them, it’s time to move forward and open a dialogue with the dedicated admissions counselors at Concordia Texas.
Contact an admissions counselor today. They will review your transcripts and recommend the best course of action for you to complete the prerequisites and quickly become a nursing student. Take the first step toward fulfilling your calling with a nursing education at Concordia University Texas.