Probably one of the most IMPORTANT parts of your nursing school application are the pre-requisite courses you have to take.
These are your science courses that you will need to take before applying to nursing school. I already have a post about these courses called “Pre-requisites + BRN Requirements” with some valuable general information. This post will focus on how it relates to your application. ⠀⠀
courses
Anatomy + Lab
Physiology + Lab
Microbiology + Lab
Chemistry + Lab
Statistics
Psychology
Refer to your prospective school for specifics!!⠀⠀
what to keep in mind for your application
- Some programs want you to finish all courses before applying and some let you have courses “in progress.” Find out what your program is asking for. I remember when I applied I could only apply to two schools in California because I was still taking physiology at the time. Its important to keep track of that because they won’t make exceptions.
- When applying some schools are strict about having a lab component, especially with Anatomy. I had to call schools I was interested in to make sure the Anatomy I took was acceptable because I didn’t have a separate lab. So, make sure your classes are transferable to each school you are applying to. They don’t make exceptions for this either. In California use the site assist.org to check courses. Programs will usually have on there website what they do and don’t accept.⠀⠀
- Pre-requisites are the most important part because these courses make up your GPA. You should try to get no less than a B in each class. On your application you will need to write in your grade for the courses you’ve taken, as well as send your transcripts (Day 7). So, make sure you input your grade correctly and work hard on these courses when taking them. Some schools allow you to retake courses “without” penalty, but don’t rely on that. Your first try should be your best grade.⠀⠀
PART 3 Entrance Exams