Nursing Prerequisites List: Best Options Compared
A nursing prerequisites list typically includes 5 to 7 core courses – anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, statistics, psychology, and English composition – as well as clinical requirements such as CPR certification and health screenings. Programs set these prerequisites at the college level, usually through two semesters of anatomy and physiology with labs, and most schools expect them to be completed by the application deadline, not before enrollment.
Key Takeaways
- Most nursing programs require a nursing prerequisites list of 5-7 core courses, with anatomy and physiology (two semesters with lab) as a near-universal anchor.
- Prerequisites vary greatly by program type: ADN programs often require fewer science courses than BSN programs, and ABSN programs squeeze the same requirements into a shorter time frame.
- Science courses typically have a minimum grade requirement (usually a C or higher) and a recency window – often 5 to 7 years – so old courses may need to be repeated.
- Clinical prerequisites (CPR certification, immunizations, background checks, drug screening) are separate from academic prerequisites and are generally due after acceptance, not at the time of application.
- Course equivalency matters more than course titles: a “Biology 101” at one college may not meet another school’s anatomy requirements, so always check with the specific program.
- Community college courses are the most common cost-control strategy, but you should confirm transferability before enrolling.
What Counts as a Nursing Prerequisite?
Nursing prerequisites fall into two categories: academic coursework and clinical/compliance requirements. Academic prerequisites are college-level courses, usually taken at a community college or university, that provide the scientific and communication foundation for nursing courses. Clinical prerequisites are non-academic elements (certifications, screenings, and documentation) that programs require before students enter patient care settings.
Academic prerequisites on a nursing prerequisites list are grouped around a predictable set of subjects. Anatomy and physiology, microbiology, general chemistry, and statistics are on almost every list. Psychology, human growth and development, English composition, and nutrition appear frequently but not universally. Some programs add organic chemistry, biochemistry, or a second communications course.
Clinical prerequisites include current CPR certification (typically Basic Life Support through the American Heart Association), a physical exam, immunization records including hepatitis B and MMR, tuberculosis screening, a criminal background check, and a drug screen. These are almost always required after acceptance rather than at application, though a few programs ask for CPR certification upfront.
The distinction matters for planning. Academic prerequisites take semesters to complete and directly affect your application timeline. Clinical prerequisites take days to weeks and affect your clinical placement timeline. Confusing the two leads to missed deadlines in both directions.
The Core Nursing Prerequisites List
The following courses appear most consistently in the ADN, BSN, and ABSN programs. Consider this nursing prerequisites list a benchmark to check against your target schools, not a universal standard.
Anatomy and Physiology (two semesters with laboratory). This is the single most important prerequisite. Most programs require a complete sequence – usually Anatomy and Physiology I and II – with laboratory components. Some schools accept a combined course over a semester, but this is increasingly rare. The course covers the body systems, tissues, and physiological processes that underlie almost all nursing courses.
Microbiology (one semester with laboratory). Microbiology covers pathogens, infection control, and immune response. It is directly related to nursing practice in sterile technique, infectious disease management and pharmacology. Laboratory work is usually required.
General Chemistry (one semester with lab). Chemistry supports pharmacology and fluid/electrolyte balance. Some programs require a second semester or accept a chemistry course aimed at health majors rather than chemistry majors. Check which version your target school accepts — this is a common source of transfer credit disputes.
Statistics (one semester). Statistics supports evidence-based practice and research literacy. Many programs accept a general statistics course; some prefer one focused on health or behavioral sciences. This requirement has become more common as nursing programs emphasize research competency.
Psychology (one semester). An introduction to psychology or general psychology is widely required. Some programs specify developmental psychology or lifespan development instead, or in addition.
English Composition (one semester or two). Writing and communication skills are required by most programs, often as a two-course sequence. Some schools accept a technical writing or communications course as a substitute.
Human Growth and Development (one semester). This course covers lifespan development from infancy through aging. It overlaps with developmental psychology and is sometimes listed as an alternative to it.
Nutrition (one semester). Nutrition appears on many, but not all, prerequisite lists. It supports the content of patient education and dietary counseling in nursing programs.
Comparison Table: Prerequisites by Program Type
| Prerequisite | ADN (Associate Degree) | Traditional BSN | ABSN (Accelerated BSN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anatomy & Physiology (2 semesters + lab) | Usually required | Required | Required |
| Microbiology (+ lab) | Often required | Required | Required |
| General Chemistry (+ lab) | Sometimes required | Usually required | Required |
| Statistics | Sometimes required | Usually required | Usually required |
| Psychology | Usually required | Required | Required |
| English Composition | Usually required | Required | Required |
| Human Growth & Development | Sometimes required | Often required | Often required |
| Nutrition | Sometimes required | Sometimes required | Sometimes required |
| CPR/BLS Certification | After acceptance | After acceptance | Often at application |
| Background check & drug screen | After acceptance | After acceptance | After acceptance |
Program types differ in the number of prerequisites required on a nursing prerequisites list and when they must be completed. ADN programs at community colleges tend to require fewer science courses, partly because the degree itself is shorter and partly because admission is often competitive on a point system that weights grades and test scores. Traditional BSN programs at four-year universities typically require the full package. ABSN programs require the same academic prerequisites as traditional BSN programs, but expect them to be completed before the program begins, as the accelerated format does not have room for prerequisite courses.
How to Decide Which Prerequisites to Take First
Proper sequencing of your nursing prerequisites list saves time and money. The following criteria help establish priorities.
Start with courses that gate everything else. Anatomy and physiology are prerequisites for many upper-level science courses and are required by every program. Chemistry often must be completed before or alongside anatomy in some schools. By taking them first, your options remain open.
Check the recency window before repeating anything. Many programs require science prerequisites to be completed within a set number of years (usually five to seven) before applying. If your anatomy course is older than this window, you may need to retake it regardless of your grade. Check the window with each program, as it varies.
Confirm minimum grades in advance. A grade of C or higher is the common minimum, but competitive programs may require a B or higher in science courses, and some calculate a separate science GPA. Knowing the minimum before registering allows you to plan for retakes if necessary.
Check transferability before registering. Course equivalence depends on the program. A microbiology course taught at a community college may transfer to one university but not to another. Most schools publish a transfer equivalency guide or accept a course description review. Do this check before the semester starts, not after.
Group laboratory sciences carefully. Laboratory sciences take a lot of time. Taking anatomy, microbiology, and chemistry in the same semester is possible but demanding, especially if you are working. Many students spread laboratory science over two or three semesters to protect their GPA, because science GPA often weighs heavily in admissions.
Use community college for cost control — with verification. Community college tuition is generally lower than four-year university tuition, making it a common path for prerequisites. The trade-off is transfer risk: confirm each course transfers to each target program before enrolling.
Prerequisites for Accelerated and Second-Degree Programs
Accelerated BSN programs are for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field. These programs require the same academic prerequisites as traditional BSN programs, but they assume that you have already completed general education requirements through your first degree. This means that the nursing prerequisites list for an ABSN often focuses on science courses: anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry and statistics, plus psychology and sometimes nutrition.
The crucial difference is timing. ABSN programs typically begin once or twice a year and expect all prerequisites to be completed before the cohort begins. There is no room in the program for a missing course. Students planning an ABSN should map prerequisites against application deadlines at least one year in advance, as science laboratory sequences may take two or three semesters to complete.
Second degree students should also check whether their previous courses meet the English composition and psychology requirements. General education courses from a previous degree often transfer, but science courses taken a long time ago may fall outside the recency window and require retaking.
Prerequisites for Graduate Nursing Programs
Graduate programs — master’s entry, nurse practitioner and other advanced practice tracks — have a different base of prerequisites. Master’s entry programs for non-nurses (sometimes called direct-entry or graduate-entry nursing programs) generally require the same science prerequisites as ABSN programs, plus a bachelor’s degree and sometimes the GRE or a standardized entrance exam.
Advanced practice programs such as nurse practitioner tracks typically require an active registered nurse (RN) license, a BSN, and clinical experience rather than undergraduate science prerequisites. Statistics and research courses become more important at this level as graduate nursing curricula emphasize evidence-based practice and quality improvement.
Students considering a graduate path and reviewing a nursing prerequisites list should check whether their target program requires specific undergraduate courses (statistics and research methods appear frequently) and whether those courses have recency requirements.
Common Mistakes and Caveats
Assuming all prerequisites are the same everywhere. Your nursing prerequisites list varies by state, institution, and program type. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing and individual state boards of nursing publish program information, but the definitive source is always the specific program’s admissions office.
Ignoring the difference between “required” and “recommended.” Some programs list courses as recommended that are effectively required in practice because competitive applicants have completed them. Ask admissions staff how recommended courses factor into decisions.
Missing application deadline compared to completion deadline. Some programs require prerequisites to be met when applying; others allow current courses to be completed before the program begins. This distinction significantly changes your timeline.
Overlooking lab requirements. A lecture-only anatomy course may not satisfy a program that requires a lab component. Confirm lab requirements course by course.
Forgetting about clinical compliance items. CPR certification, vaccinations, and background checks have their own deadlines. Vaccination against hepatitis B, for example, involves a series of doses over several months, so it is important to start early.
Not verifying accreditation. Prerequisites only transfer meaningfully between accredited programs. Verify that your target program is accredited by a recognized nursing accrediting organization and check with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing for the status of the program.
Sources & Further Reading
- Nursing — Wikipedia: Nursing is a health care profession that “integrates the art and science of caring and focuses on the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and human…
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing — Wikipedia: The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN, BScN) also known in some countries as a Bachelor of Nursing (BN) or Bachelor of Science (BS) with a Major in Nursing is…
- Nursing in the United States — Wikipedia: Nursing in the United States is a professional health care occupation. It is the largest such occupation, employing millions of certified professionals. As of 2023…
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common nursing prerequisites?
The most common nursing prerequisites list includes anatomy and physiology (two semesters with laboratory), microbiology, general chemistry, statistics, psychology, and English composition. Human growth and development and nutrition also appear on many lists. Clinical elements such as CPR certification and health screenings are separate requirements typically completed after acceptance.
How long does it take to complete nursing prerequisites?
Most students complete nursing prerequisites in one to two years, depending on how many courses they take per semester and whether they need to retake any science courses. Lab science sequences such as anatomy and physiology I and II typically span two semesters, and chemistry may need to be completed before or alongside them.
Do nursing prerequisites expire?
Many nursing programs apply a recency window to science prerequisites, typically five to seven years prior to application. Courses older than the window may need to be retaken even if the grade was strong. Recency policies vary by program, so confirm the specific window with each school you are applying to.
What GPA do you need in nursing prerequisites?
A grade of C or higher is the typical minimum for prerequisite courses, but competitive programs often require a B or higher in science courses and calculate a separate science GPA. Since admissions is competitive, meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission: higher grades improve your standing.
Can I take nursing prerequisites at a community college?
Community college is a common and often cost-effective route to nursing prerequisites. The main caveat is transferability: course equivalency is program specific, so confirm that each course transfers to each target nursing program before enrolling. Most schools publish transfer equivalency guides or review course descriptions upon request.
Are prerequisites different for ABSN programs?
Accelerated BSN programs require the same academic prerequisites as traditional BSN programs, but they assume that general education requirements are already met by a prior bachelor’s degree. The emphasis is on science courses, and all prerequisites must be completed before the start of the cohort, since the accelerated format leaves no room for prerequisite coursework.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common nursing prerequisites?
The most common nursing prerequisites list includes anatomy and physiology (two semesters with laboratory), microbiology, general chemistry, statistics, psychology, and English composition. Human growth and development and nutrition also appear on many lists. Clinical elements such as CPR certification and health screenings are separate requirements typically completed after acceptance.
How long does it take to complete nursing prerequisites?
Most students complete nursing prerequisites in one to two years, depending on how many courses they take per semester and whether they need to retake any science courses. Lab science sequences such as anatomy and physiology I and II typically span two semesters, and chemistry may need to be completed before or alongside them.
Do nursing prerequisites expire?
Many nursing programs apply a recency window to science prerequisites, typically five to seven years prior to application. Courses older than the window may need to be retaken even if the grade was strong. Recency policies vary by program, so confirm the specific window with each school you are applying to.
What GPA do you need in nursing prerequisites?
A grade of C or higher is the typical minimum for prerequisite courses, but competitive programs often require a B or higher in science courses and calculate a separate science GPA. Since admissions is competitive, meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission: higher grades improve your standing.
Can I take nursing prerequisites at a community college?
Community college is a common and often cost-effective route to nursing prerequisites. The main caveat is transferability: course equivalency is program specific, so confirm that each course transfers to each target nursing program before enrolling. Most schools publish transfer equivalency guides or review course descriptions upon request.
Are prerequisites different for ABSN programs?
Accelerated BSN programs require the same academic prerequisites as traditional BSN programs, but they assume that general education requirements are already met by a prior bachelor's degree. The emphasis is on science courses, and all prerequisites must be completed before the start of the cohort, since the accelerated format leaves no room for prerequisite coursework.