Nursing school prerequisites typically include a set of science courses, general education classes, a minimum GPA (usually 3.0 or higher), and a passing score on an entrance exam. Beyond academics, most programs also require background checks, immunization records, and sometimes prior healthcare experience. The exact requirements vary depending on whether you’re pursuing an associate degree (ADN) or a bachelor’s degree (BSN), and every school sets its own standards, but the core expectations are remarkably consistent across programs.
Science Courses Form the Foundation
Every nursing program requires a core set of science prerequisites, and these are non-negotiable. You should expect to complete:
- Anatomy and Physiology I and II: Usually two semesters covering the structure and function of the human body, each with a lab component.
- Microbiology: Covers bacteria, viruses, and infection, which is directly relevant to patient care. This also includes a lab.
- General Chemistry: At least one semester, often with a lab. Some BSN programs also require organic chemistry.
- Biology: An introductory biology course is common, particularly for ADN programs.
These science courses carry more weight in your application than almost anything else. Most programs require a grade of C or better in each one, and a C-minus typically does not count. Competitive applicants usually have As and Bs in their sciences.
Science Prerequisites Can Expire
One detail that catches many applicants off guard: science courses have a shelf life. Programs want to make sure your knowledge of anatomy, chemistry, and microbiology is current, not something you learned a decade ago. Expiration windows vary by school. NYU requires all prerequisites to have been completed within 10 years of enrollment. Lehman College recently adopted a seven-year limit for its science prerequisites. Some programs set the cutoff at five years.
If your coursework falls outside a program’s window, you’ll need to retake those classes regardless of the grade you earned. This is worth checking early, especially if you’re a career changer returning to school after time in another field.
General Education Requirements
Alongside the sciences, nursing programs require several general education courses. These tend to be more flexible across schools, but the most common ones include:
- English Composition: Typically two semesters covering academic and persuasive writing.
- Psychology: An introductory psychology course is nearly universal. Many BSN programs also require a developmental psychology or human growth and development course, which covers how people change physically, cognitively, and emotionally across the lifespan.
- Statistics: At least one course in statistics, which prepares you to understand nursing research and evidence-based practice.
BSN programs generally require more general education credits than ADN programs. At many universities, you’ll need around 60 credit hours of prerequisite and general education coursework, or an associate of arts degree, before you can even apply to the nursing program. ADN programs at community colleges have a lighter general education load but still require the same core sciences.
ADN vs. BSN: How Prerequisites Differ
The core science prerequisites (anatomy, biology, chemistry, psychology, English) are shared between ADN and BSN programs. Where they diverge is in depth and breadth. BSN programs layer on additional coursework in areas like pathophysiology (how diseases disrupt normal body function), public health, nursing ethics, and microbiology. Some of these are prerequisites you complete before admission; others are part of the nursing curriculum itself.
ADN programs, typically offered at community colleges, are designed to get you into the workforce faster. Their prerequisite lists are shorter and more focused on the essentials. If you’re weighing the two paths, keep in mind that many hospitals now prefer or require a BSN, so some ADN graduates end up completing a bridge program later.
GPA Expectations
Most nursing programs require a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale to be eligible for admission. Florida State University, for example, sets that 3.0 floor and requires a C or better in every prerequisite course. But meeting the minimum does not mean you’ll get in. Nursing programs are competitive, and many qualified applicants are turned away simply because clinical training spots are limited.
Your prerequisite GPA (the GPA calculated from just your science and prerequisite courses) often matters more than your overall GPA. Many programs calculate this separately and weigh it heavily. If you earned a 3.8 overall but have Cs in your sciences, that will raise flags. Some programs also use holistic admissions, factoring in community engagement, healthcare work experience, and your personal statement alongside grades.
Entrance Exams: TEAS and HESI
Most nursing programs require you to take a standardized entrance exam. The two most common are the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) and the HESI A2 (Health Education Systems Admissions Assessment). You won’t choose which one to take; your program will tell you which it requires.
The TEAS covers four content areas: reading, math, science, and English language usage. It’s a broad assessment of academic readiness. There’s no universal passing score, but a competitive score is typically around 70 to 75 percent. The HESI A2 is more granular, with sections in anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, grammar, math, physics, reading comprehension, and vocabulary. Not every program uses all sections of the HESI, so check which ones your school requires before you start studying.
Both exams are meant to predict whether you can handle the rigor of a nursing program. Many schools allow you to retake them, but there’s often a waiting period between attempts and a limit on total tries.
Healthcare Experience
Not every nursing program requires prior healthcare experience, but some do, and having it strengthens any application. The most common requirement is Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) training or certification. Prairie State College, for instance, requires students to either complete its nurse assistant training course with a C or better or already hold active CNA certification before admission to its nursing program.
Even when it’s not mandatory, working or volunteering in a healthcare setting gives you a realistic preview of nursing and provides material for your personal statement. Many holistic admissions processes explicitly consider healthcare work experience as part of their review.
Background Checks and Health Clearances
Because nursing students work directly with patients during clinical rotations, programs require a set of clearances before you start. These are separate from your academic prerequisites but just as essential.
Background checks are standard. Many programs require both a Level 1 check (a criminal history search based on your Social Security number and previous addresses) and a Level 2 check (which involves fingerprinting and runs through state and federal databases including the FBI). A criminal record doesn’t automatically disqualify you, but certain convictions can prevent you from obtaining clinical placements or, later, a nursing license.
Immunization records are also required. You’ll typically need to show proof of vaccinations and complete a physical examination form. Programs often use third-party platforms where you upload your documentation. Drug screening policies vary. Some programs require it upfront; others, like Nova Southeastern University, reserve the right to request one at any point during the program.
Letters of Recommendation and Personal Statements
BSN programs at four-year universities commonly ask for letters of recommendation and a personal statement as part of the application. Graduate-entry nursing programs at the University at Buffalo, for example, require three recommendations. Undergraduate BSN programs may ask for fewer, sometimes one or two, but the expectation is similar: choose recommenders who can speak to your academic ability, work ethic, or character in a healthcare context.
Personal statements typically ask why you want to pursue nursing, what experiences shaped that decision, and what you’ll bring to the profession. For competitive programs that use holistic admissions, this is your chance to stand out beyond your GPA and test scores. ADN programs at community colleges are less likely to require essays or recommendations, relying more heavily on GPA and entrance exam scores for admissions decisions.
Putting Your Timeline Together
Completing all prerequisites takes most students one to two years if they’re starting from scratch. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another field, you may have some general education requirements covered, but you’ll almost certainly need the science courses. Accelerated BSN programs for second-degree students still require the same science prerequisites before admission.
Start by identifying the specific programs you’re interested in and pulling up their prerequisite lists. Requirements vary enough between schools that you don’t want to assume a course at one program counts at another. Pay attention to course expiration policies, GPA cutoffs, and which entrance exam is required. Build your course schedule around the science classes first, since those are hardest to fit in and carry the most weight, and work in your general education courses alongside them.