Nursing Requirements

More and more nursing education programs require applicants to earn a bachelor's degree prior to admission into a professional nursing program.

ADMISSION CRITERIA
  • Certain coursework (below)
  • Good GPA
  • Test scores (GRE)
  • Recommendations
  • Experience

A competitive applicant for nursing programs will have taken the recommended coursework (see below), have a GPA of 3.0, have a GRE score above the 50th percentile and writing score of 4.0, have good references, and have some experience (shadowing, observation, volunteer, CNA, EMT,  etc . . .). Students can apply through NursingCAS online application service.

Prerequisites

There is some variation in the prerequisite coursework needed at the undergraduate level.  Below is a listing of the undergraduate coursework required by most programs as well as some additional coursework that may be required by some programs.

Prerequisites for most programs:

  • Sociology/Cultural anthropology- Anth 110
  • Introductory biology- Biol 130 & 150
  • Statistics- Biol 170 or Math 107
  • Introductory chemistry- Chem 115 & 116
  • Introductory psychology- Psyc 100
  • Developmental psychology†- Psyc 260 or 265
  • Human anatomy- Biol 310
  • Human physiology- Biol 370
  • Microbiology- Biol 226

Additional courses for some programs:

  • Medical anthropology- Anth 342
  • Biomedical ethics- Phil 120

Usually a biology or psychology major works well for preparing for nursing school.

†Other courses that may fulfill this requirement are psychopathology, cognitive psychology, or psychology of gender.  Also, a gender studies course.

PROGRAM COST and LENGTH

The length of professional master’s nursing programs is typically 1-2 years and the costs per year for programs in 2017-18 are

Public:  $20,000-$30,000               Private: $30.000-$45,000 

 

LICENSING

To practice as a nurse in the US, you must earn a degree and pass a licensure exam.

PROGRAMS attended by LU ALUMS

Rush University, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Case Western Reserve University, Vanderbilt University

Rush University College of Nursing Articulation Agreement with Lawrence

Lawrence has an articulation agreement with Rush University to enroll qualified students in their Direct entry MSN (master’s of science in nursing) for non-nurses program.

We are guaranteed admission for up to 2 students each fall and 2 students each spring. 

Below are the criteria needed to qualify for admission:

  • 3.0 cumulative GPA.
  • All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
  • 3.0 GPA in prerequisite courses.
  • Recommendation from the Lawrence Health Career Advisor (currently Professor Wall).
  • Completed and submitted application by the application deadline for the term of entry.
  • An acceptable personal interview with Rush faculty.
  • GRE is waived for students with a GPA over 3.00.


Rush University College of Nursing (MSN) Prerequisites:

  • Introductory biology- Biol 130 & 150
  • Introductory chemistry through Chem 116
  • Statistics- Biol 170 or Math 107
  • Microbiology- Biol 226
  • Human anatomy- Biol 310
  • Human physiology- Biol 370
  • Introductory chemistry- Chem 115 & 116
  • A social science course†
  • A course in philosophy, history, art history, theater, or English literature.

Learn more about Rush University College of Nursing.

Additional courses to consider:

  • Medical anthropology- Anth 342
  • Biomedical ethics- Phil 120

†Courses that may fulfill this requirement are cultural anthropology, developmental psychology, psychopathology, cognitive psychology, or psychology of gender or another gender studies course.