What stands between you and nursing school admission?
Prerequisites. The courses you need to complete before you can even apply.
Most nursing programs won’t look at your application until you’ve finished specific science and general education requirements. Miss one prerequisite and your application gets rejected—no matter how strong your GPA or how compelling your personal statement.
The frustrating part? Every school lists slightly different requirements. Some want anatomy and physiology as separate courses. Others combine them. Some require statistics. Others don’t. And those science prerequisites you took five years ago? Many programs won’t accept them because they’re too old.
Understanding exactly which prerequisites you need and when you need them is the first step toward nursing school admission. Students who plan their prerequisite coursework strategically, often while simultaneously preparing for entrance exams through platforms like Testavia, complete requirements faster and apply to programs earlier than peers who discover missing prerequisites at the last minute.
This guide breaks down every prerequisite course nursing schools require, typical GPA expectations, timeline considerations, and how to plan your prerequisite completion efficiently.
Core Science Prerequisites: What Every Nursing Program Requires
Science courses form the foundation of nursing education. These aren’t arbitrary requirements they’re the biological and chemical principles you’ll build on throughout your entire nursing curriculum.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the national voice for baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs, prerequisite science courses ensure students enter nursing programs with the foundational knowledge needed for advanced clinical coursework. The AACN establishes accreditation standards that most nursing programs follow, which is why prerequisite requirements remain relatively consistent across institutions despite minor variations.
Anatomy and Physiology (A&P)
This is the most important prerequisite. Nursing school clinical courses assume you already understand how the human body works.
What’s covered:
Anatomy focuses on body structures: bones, muscles, organs, blood vessels. Physiology covers how these structures function, how the heart pumps blood, how kidneys filter waste, how nerves transmit signals.
Course format:
Some schools require Anatomy & Physiology I and II as separate courses (typically 3-4 credits each). Others accept a combined anatomy and physiology course.
Lab component is usually required.
Why it matters:
You can’t understand disease processes, medication effects or clinical interventions without knowing normal body function. A&P is the foundation of everything else.
Recency requirement:
Most programs require A&P completion within 5-7 years of application. Some competitive programs limit this to 3-5 years.
Microbiology
Microbiology covers bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites—the microorganisms that cause infection.
What’s covered:
Bacterial metabolism and genetics, viral biology, host-microbe interactions, disease transmission, infection control, and antimicrobial resistance.
Course requirements:
Lab is strongly recommended, sometimes required.
The course must focus on microbiology specifically. Molecular biology, cell biology, or immunology courses don’t count.
Why it matters:
Nurses implement infection control protocols, administer antibiotics, and educate patients about preventing disease spread. You need to understand the microorganisms causing illness.
Recency requirement:
Usually 5-10 years, varies by program.
Chemistry
Chemistry explains how medications work, how the body processes nutrients, and how lab values reflect disease.
What’s covered: Atomic structure, chemical bonds, reactions, acids and bases, solutions and concentrations. Some programs require general chemistry. Others require chemistry for health professions specifically.
Course requirements:
Lab may be required or recommended depending on the program.
Survey courses or remedial chemistry don’t count. You need college-level general chemistry.
Why it matters:
Pharmacology (drug mechanisms) is rooted in chemistry. Lab values (sodium, potassium, glucose) are chemical measurements. You can’t interpret these without foundational chemistry knowledge.
Biology
General biology covers cell structure, metabolism, genetics, and basic life processes.
What’s covered: Cell structure and function, DNA and genetics, cellular reproduction (mitosis and meiosis), evolution, and ecology basics.
Course requirements:
Lab often required.
High school biology usually doesn’t count. You need college-level biology.
Why it matters:
Biology provides the cellular and genetic foundation for understanding disease, inheritance patterns, and medication metabolism.
General Education Prerequisites
Science prerequisites get the most attention. However, nursing programs also require general education courses that develop critical thinking, communication, and cultural competence.
English Composition
What’s required:
Usually one or two semesters of college-level English composition.
Focus on essay writing, research papers, and academic writing conventions.
Why it matters:
Nurses write constantly—patient care plans, clinical documentation, research papers, policy proposals. Clear, professional writing is essential.
Psychology
What’s required:
Introduction to psychology or general psychology.
Some programs require developmental psychology (lifespan development from infancy through older adulthood) specifically.
Why it matters:
Understanding human behavior, mental health, coping mechanisms and developmental stages is fundamental to patient care. You’ll apply psychological principles when assessing patients, educating families and managing difficult situations.
Human Development or Lifespan Development
What’s required:
Course covering human development across the entire lifespan—infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and aging.
Why it matters:
Nurses care for patients of all ages. Knowing normal developmental milestones helps you identify delays in children, understand aging processes in older adults, and communicate effectively across age groups.
Sociology or Anthropology
What’s required:
Introduction to sociology or cultural anthropology.
Why it matters:
Healthcare doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Social determinants of health: poverty, education, housing, culture affect patient outcomes. These courses build cultural competence and help you understand how social factors influence health.
Statistics
What’s required:
One semester of statistics, sometimes listed as “statistics for health sciences.”
Why it matters: Nursing is evidence-based. You’ll read research studies, interpret data, and apply statistical findings to patient care. Understanding confidence intervals, p-values, and study design helps you evaluate whether research evidence is strong enough to change practice.
Nutrition
What’s required:
Introduction to nutrition or nutrition for health professions.
Why it matters:
Diet affects disease prevention, wound healing, medication effectiveness and chronic condition management. Nurses provide nutrition education constantly.
GPA Requirements: What You Need to Be Competitive
Having the prerequisites isn’t enough. You need good grades.
Minimum GPA Standards
ADN programs: Usually require 2.5-2.7 cumulative GPA minimum.
BSN programs: Usually require 3.0 cumulative GPA minimum.
Competitive programs: Often see admitted students with 3.5-3.8 GPAs.
Prerequisite GPA vs. Cumulative GPA
Many programs calculate two GPAs:
Cumulative GPA: All college coursework combined.
Prerequisite GPA: Only the required prerequisite courses.
Some schools weigh prerequisite GPA more heavily. A 3.8 in prerequisites can offset a 3.2 cumulative GPA.
Science GPA Matters Most
Science prerequisites (A&P, microbiology, chemistry, biology) often get extra scrutiny.
Strong performance in science courses signals you can handle nursing school’s rigorous science-heavy curriculum.
If your science GPA is below 3.0, you’re at a disadvantage even if your cumulative GPA meets minimum requirements.
Grade Requirements Per Course
Most programs require C or better (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) in each prerequisite.
Some competitive programs require B or better (3.0) in science courses.
C- grades (1.7) don’t count as passing even if your previous institution accepted them.
Pass/fail grades generally aren’t accepted for prerequisites. Exception: Some schools allowed pass/fail during COVID-19 terms (2020-2021).
Timeline Considerations: When Prerequisites Expire
Prerequisites don’t last forever. Science courses have expiration dates.
Standard Recency Requirements
Science prerequisites: Must be completed within 5-7 years of application for most programs.
Competitive programs: May require science courses within 3-5 years.
General education courses: Usually no expiration, but check individual program requirements.
Why Recency Matters
Science knowledge evolves. What you learned about pharmacology, disease mechanisms, or lab values 10 years ago may be outdated.
Programs want students entering with current scientific knowledge.
What Happens If Your Prerequisites Are Too Old
You retake them. There’s no way around this.
If your anatomy course is from 2015 and you’re applying in 2026, many programs won’t accept it. You’ll need to retake A&P before applying.
Planning Timeline
If you’re planning to apply to nursing school in Fall 2026, check each program’s prerequisite recency requirements now.
Science courses taken before 2019 (7 years ago) likely won’t count. Courses before 2021 (5 years ago) may not count for competitive programs.
Understanding how long the overall nursing school process takes from prerequisite completion through graduation helps you plan realistically. Our guide on how long nursing school takes breaks down typical timelines for ADN, BSN, and accelerated programs, including prerequisite completion time, so you can map out your path from application to licensure.
Entrance Exams: The TEAS and HESI
Beyond prerequisites and GPA, most nursing programs require entrance exams.
The TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills)
The most common nursing entrance exam. Tests reading, math, science, and English skills.
Sections tested:
Reading (31% of score), Math (22%), Science (31%), English & Language Usage (16%).
Science section heavily tests anatomy, physiology, biology and chemistry the prerequisite content you’re supposed to already know.
Why it matters: Strong TEAS scores can offset lower GPAs. Weak TEAS scores hurt your application even with a high GPA.
When to take it:
After completing science prerequisites. The exam assumes you know A&P, microbiology, and biology. Taking it before finishing prerequisites usually results in low scores.
For students wondering whether they can skip the TEAS entirely, our list of nursing schools that don’t require TEAS in 2026 provides alternatives. However, most programs still use TEAS as a key admission factor, so strong preparation matters.
The HESI A2
Some programs use HESI instead of TEAS. It covers similar content reading, math, science, English plus vocabulary and learning style assessment.
Test Preparation
Don’t underestimate these exams. They’re not “easy” standardized tests.
Successful test-takers report studying 6-8 weeks minimum, focusing on science content and math fundamentals.
Additional Application Requirements
Prerequisites and test scores aren’t the only requirements.
Personal Statement or Essay
Most programs require a personal statement explaining why you want to become a nurse.
What admissions committees look for:
Genuine motivation (not just “job security” or “good salary”). Healthcare experience showing you understand what nursing involves. Clear writing demonstrating communication skills.
Letters of Recommendation
Typically 2-3 letters required.
Best recommenders:
Science professors (they can speak to your ability to handle rigorous coursework). Healthcare professionals you’ve worked with or shadowed. Academic advisors who know your strengths.
Healthcare Experience
Not always required, but strongly recommended.
Examples:
Volunteer work in hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes. CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) experience. Medical assistant or patient care tech roles. Job shadowing nurses.
Why it matters:
Admissions committees want evidence you understand what nurses actually do. Healthcare exposure reduces the chance you’ll drop out after discovering nursing isn’t what you expected.
The demand for qualified nurses continues to grow. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, with about 177,400 openings for registered nurses projected each year. This steady demand means completing prerequisites and entering nursing school positions you for a stable, in-demand career but only if you successfully navigate the admission process.
Interview
Some programs require interviews as part of the admission process.
Preparation:
Review common nursing interview questions. Prepare to discuss your motivation, healthcare experience, and how you handle stress or conflict. Dress professionally. Practice articulating why you’re choosing this specific program.
How to Complete Prerequisites Efficiently
Traditional Path: Community College
Many students complete prerequisites at community colleges before transferring to BSN programs.
Advantages:
Lower cost. Smaller class sizes. Often easier to get into prerequisite courses (A&P and microbiology fill up quickly at universities).
Check transferability: Before enrolling, verify that the community college’s courses transfer to your target nursing programs. Use transfer equivalency databases or contact admissions directly.
Accelerated Options: Post-Bacc Programs
If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another field, post-baccalaureate programs compress prerequisites into 12-18 months.
Advantages:
Fast-track to nursing school. Designed specifically for career changers.
Disadvantages:
Intense pace. Higher cost than community college. Not all schools offer this option.
Online Prerequisites
Some schools offer online anatomy, microbiology, or chemistry with virtual labs.
Advantages:
Flexibility for working adults.
Verify acceptance: Not all nursing programs accept online prerequisites, especially for science courses with lab components. Confirm before enrolling.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Taking Prerequisites Out of Order
Some prerequisites have prerequisites of their own.
You can’t take anatomy and physiology without completing biology first. Some programs require chemistry before microbiology.
Check course sequences before registering.
Mistake #2: Assuming All Programs Have the Same Requirements
They don’t. Some require statistics. Others don’t. Some accept online courses. Others don’t.
Research specific program requirements before completing coursework. Taking an extra unnecessary course wastes time and money.
Mistake #3: Waiting Too Long to Apply
Prerequisites expire. By the time you finish all your courses, your earliest ones may be too old to count.
Plan your timeline carefully. If completing prerequisites over 3-4 years, apply as soon as possible after finishing the last course.
Mistake #4: Ignoring GPA Early On
You can’t fix a low GPA overnight. If you earn a C in anatomy, retaking it later costs time and money.
Take prerequisites seriously from the start. Strong grades open more program options.
Mistake #5: Not Checking Recency Requirements
Don’t assume that prerequisites from 6 years ago still count. Check recency requirements for every program on your list.
If courses are expiring soon, prioritize applying before they become invalid.
The prerequisite phase is just the beginning of your nursing journey. Understanding what comes after the intensity of nursing school itself helps you prepare mentally and practically. Our detailed breakdown of what nursing school is really like covers the academic rigor, clinical demands, and time commitment you’ll face once admitted, so you can plan accordingly during your prerequisite phase.
Where to Find Prerequisite Information for Specific Programs
Every nursing program publishes prerequisite requirements on their website. Here’s how to find them:
Search “[School name] nursing prerequisites” or “[School name] BSN admission requirements.”
Look for pages titled “Admission Requirements,” “Prerequisites,” or “How to Apply.”
Use transfer equivalency databases like Transferology to check if your community college courses meet university requirements.
Contact admissions directly if prerequisite information is unclear. Email or call the nursing school admissions office.
Verify Before You Commit
Before enrolling in any prerequisite course, verify three things:
- Does this course fulfill the requirement for programs I’m applying to?
- Will this course still be valid (not expired) when I apply?
- Does the program accept online/hybrid format or require in-person with lab?
Final Thoughts
Nursing school prerequisites aren’t arbitrary hurdles. They’re the foundation courses that prepare you for rigorous nursing curriculum.
Anatomy and physiology teach you how the body works essential for understanding disease. Microbiology explains infection and immunity. Chemistry underpins pharmacology. Psychology and sociology build cultural competence and communication skills.
Completing prerequisites takes time. Many students spend 1-2 years finishing requirements before even applying to nursing programs. However, this time isn’t wasted. You’re building the knowledge base you’ll need to succeed once admitted.
Plan strategically. Research program requirements early. Complete science prerequisites first (they take longest and expire soonest). Maintaining strong grades GPA matters as much as course completion. Prepare for entrance exams after finishing science prerequisites.
Prerequisites are the gateway to nursing school. Complete them well and you’ll be ready for what comes next.