Most nursing programs require a combination of college-level science and math courses, general education credits, a competitive GPA, entrance exam scores, and several clinical readiness requirements like immunizations and a CPR certification. The exact list varies by school and degree type, but the core expectations are remarkably consistent across programs. Here’s what you’ll need to prepare.
Science and Math Courses
Science prerequisites form the backbone of any nursing application. Nearly every program requires human anatomy, human physiology (often taken as a two-semester sequence with labs), microbiology with a lab, and at least one chemistry course. These courses give you the foundation to understand how the body works, how infections spread, and how medications interact with biological systems.
On the math side, expect to complete college algebra or a higher-level math course, plus a statistics course. Statistics matters because nurses regularly interpret data in patient charts, medication dosages, and research findings. Some programs also require a human nutrition course, which bridges biology and practical patient care.
A BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program typically requires more prerequisite credit hours than an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing). For example, UT Health San Antonio’s BSN program requires 60 hours of prerequisites, including all math and science courses completed before you even apply. ADN programs cover similar core sciences like chemistry, anatomy, biology, and psychology, but BSN programs layer on additional coursework in areas like pathophysiology, public health, and nursing ethics.
General Education Requirements
Beyond the sciences, nursing programs require a solid general education foundation. Common requirements include:
- English Composition I and II: Clear writing is essential for charting, care plans, and professional communication.
- Introduction to Psychology: Helps you understand patient behavior, mental health basics, and therapeutic communication.
- Introduction to Sociology: Covers how social factors like poverty, culture, and community affect health outcomes.
- Human Growth and Development: A lifespan course covering conception through end of life, which directly applies to caring for patients at every age.
Some programs also require philosophy, U.S. history, government courses, or a visual and performing arts credit, depending on the school’s core curriculum. State universities often have state-specific requirements. Texas schools, for instance, require both U.S. history and Texas government courses as part of their core curriculum prerequisites.
GPA Expectations
Most nursing schools require a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. That said, competitive programs often expect GPAs above 3.5, especially in your science courses. Programs typically weigh your science GPA separately because those courses most directly predict your ability to handle nursing coursework. A strong overall GPA with weak science grades can hurt your application more than you’d expect.
If your GPA falls below a program’s minimum, some schools allow you to retake prerequisite courses to improve your standing. Keep in mind that many programs average both attempts rather than replacing the old grade, so it’s worth checking each school’s policy before retaking a class.
Entrance Exams: TEAS and HESI A2
Most nursing programs require you to pass one of two standardized entrance exams: the TEAS or the HESI A2. Your school determines which one you’ll take.
The TEAS covers four areas: reading, math, science, and English language usage. The HESI A2 includes math, reading, vocabulary and grammar, and anatomy and physiology, with additional sections that vary by school. Both exams test whether you have the academic foundation to succeed in a nursing program. Passing requirements differ by institution. Some set minimum scores for each section individually, while others evaluate your overall composite score. Studying specifically for whichever exam your program requires is worth the investment, as a strong score can strengthen an otherwise borderline application.
BLS Certification
Before starting clinical rotations, you’ll need a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association. This is the healthcare provider level of CPR training, not the basic community version. The course covers CPR for adults, children, and infants, plus how to use an automated external defibrillator and help someone who is choking.
The certification is valid for two years, so time your course accordingly. If you get certified too early, it could expire before you finish your clinical requirements. Most students complete this shortly before their program begins or during orientation.
Immunizations and Health Screenings
Clinical placements put you in direct contact with vulnerable patients, so nursing programs have strict health requirements. Based on UCLA’s nursing requirements, which are representative of most programs, you’ll typically need:
- Hepatitis B: A positive antibody titer proving immunity, or at least two doses of the vaccine series completed before classes begin.
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella): A positive titer or proof of two vaccine doses.
- Varicella (chickenpox): A positive titer or proof of two vaccine doses.
- Tdap: One dose after age 11, plus a booster within the last 10 years.
- TB screening: A negative blood test within six months of enrollment. A positive result requires a chest X-ray showing no active disease.
- Influenza vaccine: A current seasonal flu shot.
- COVID-19 vaccine: Updated vaccination or a signed declination form.
You’ll also need a physical exam and, at most programs, a criminal background check and drug screening. Start gathering your immunization records early, because tracking down childhood vaccination documentation or completing a multi-dose vaccine series can take months.
Technical Standards You’ll Need to Meet
Nursing programs publish “technical standards” describing the physical, cognitive, and behavioral abilities students must have. These aren’t just formalities. You’ll be expected to demonstrate these capabilities throughout the program.
Physically, you need to be able to perform patient assessments: listening to heart and lung sounds with a stethoscope, feeling for abnormalities through palpation, reading fine measurements on syringes, and recognizing color changes in skin or on diagnostic strips. Cognitively, you need strong critical thinking skills to calculate medication doses, interpret patient data, and make quick clinical decisions. Emotionally, programs expect you to function effectively under stress, show empathy, exercise good judgment, and adapt to rapidly changing situations.
Communication is another formal requirement. You must be able to read, write, and speak clearly in English, accurately record patient information, and interpret both verbal and nonverbal cues from patients and colleagues.
Healthcare Experience and Volunteering
Unlike medical school, most nursing programs don’t set a hard minimum for volunteer hours or clinical experience. That said, having some patient-facing experience strengthens your application and helps you confirm that nursing is the right fit. Working as a certified nursing assistant (CNA), volunteering at a hospital or clinic, or shadowing nurses in different specialties all count.
The University of Minnesota’s Pre-Health Student Resource Center notes that requirements vary widely: some programs want to see documented time in clinical settings, while others simply recommend it. Even when it’s not required, applicants with hands-on healthcare experience tend to write stronger personal statements and interview more confidently because they can speak from real encounters with patients.
How Long Prerequisites Take
The timeline depends heavily on your situation. A full-time student starting from scratch can typically finish prerequisites in two to four semesters, or roughly one to two years. If you’re working or managing other commitments and can only take one or two courses at a time, expect the process to stretch longer.
Some schools offer accelerated options. Marian University, for example, offers five-week and eight-week course formats available multiple times per year, which lets motivated students compress their timeline. Community colleges are another popular and cost-effective route for knocking out prerequisites before transferring into a BSN program. Just verify that your target nursing school accepts transfer credits from the institution where you plan to take courses. Not all programs accept online lab sciences, so check that policy before enrolling.