A comprehensive printable checklist covering universal nursing prerequisites, common program variations, and verification steps — designed for advisors and students to use as planning tool
Looking for a nursing prerequisite checklist? This article provides a comprehensive checklist organized by what’s universally required at virtually all nursing programs, what varies across program types (BSN, ABSN, RN-to-BSN, LPN-to-RN), and what specific programs may require beyond standard prerequisites. Universal requirements (required at virtually all US nursing programs): English Composition I and II, Statistics, Introduction to Psychology, Anatomy & Physiology I and II with labs, Microbiology with lab. Commonly variable requirements (required at most but not all programs): Introduction to Sociology, Lifespan Development, Speech Communication, Humanities/Fine Arts, General Chemistry, Human Nutrition. Program-specific requirements (varies substantially): Ethics or Bioethics (common at faith-based programs), Biochemistry (common at competitive ABSN programs), Pathophysiology (some programs), US/State Government or History (state-specific public university requirements), additional Chemistry sequences (some competitive programs). Total typical prerequisite scope: 45-66 credits across 15-22 courses for BSN/ABSN preparation. The checklist below organizes prerequisites by category with verification steps supporting your specific target program research.
This article serves two complementary audiences: pre-health advisors using the checklist as standardized advising reference material, and pre-nursing students using the checklist as personal planning tool. The checklist content is the same for both audiences — what differs is the use case. Advisors print the checklist as advising session reference; students print the checklist as their personal preparation roadmap. The structural organization supports both uses without requiring different versions for different audiences.
Important note about prerequisite variation: no single checklist is universally complete because nursing programs vary in their specific named requirements. The checklist below covers the substantial majority of common requirements; verify specific requirements at each of your target programs to identify any program-specific requirements beyond the common scope. The verification step is essential — applicants who plan based on generic checklists without target program verification sometimes discover missing program-specific requirements near application deadlines when timeline can’t accommodate addition.
The checklist is organized into five sections supporting practical planning use:
Print this article or save it for reference throughout your prerequisite preparation. Check off items as you complete them; use the verification steps to identify any program-specific additions to the checklist for your particular target programs.
Required at virtually all US nursing programs. Complete every item in this section regardless of target program range.
☐ English Composition I (3 credits): Foundational writing course typically required at all programs. Some programs accept Composition I as sufficient; many programs require both I and II.
☐ English Composition II (3 credits): Advanced writing typically required at four-year university BSN programs and most ABSN programs. Verify whether your target programs require Composition II specifically or accept Composition I as sufficient.
☐ Statistics (3-4 credits): Required at most BSN/ABSN programs. Typically Elementary Statistics or Introduction to Statistics — specifically named courses rather than business statistics or general math. Some programs accept biostatistics specifically.
☐ Introduction to Psychology (3 credits): Universal requirement at virtually all programs. General Psychology or Introduction to Psychology — typically the first-semester gen ed psychology course.
☐ Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab (4 credits): Universal requirement covering body structure and function for first half of organ systems (typically integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine). Most programs require lab component completion.
☐ Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab (4 credits): Universal requirement covering remaining organ systems (typically cardiovascular, respiratory, lymphatic/immune, digestive, urinary, reproductive). Most programs require lab component completion.
☐ Microbiology with Lab (4 credits): Universal requirement covering microorganisms, immune system, infection control, antibiotic mechanisms. Most programs require lab component completion.
| Universal Section verificationTotal universal prerequisites: 21-22 credits across 7 courses (6 if your target programs accept Composition I as sufficient) All universal items: Plan to complete regardless of specific target programs — these are required virtually everywhere Lab requirement: Most programs require lab component completion for science prerequisites — verify lab arrangement acceptance at target programs (online virtual labs vs. in-person labs vary in acceptance) |
Required at most but not all nursing programs. Verify requirements at your specific target programs; complete items required by any target program.
☐ Introduction to Sociology (3 credits): Required at most ABSN programs and many BSN programs. Covers social structure, culture, deviance, healthcare disparities. Some programs accept either Sociology or Anthropology; some require Sociology specifically.
☐ Lifespan Development / Human Growth and Development (3 credits): Required at most programs covering full lifespan from conception through end-of-life. Different from Developmental Psychology which typically covers childhood only. Verify whether your target programs accept Developmental Psychology or require specifically Lifespan/Human Growth and Development.
☐ Speech Communication / Public Speaking (3 credits): Required at many BSN programs and most ABSN programs. Covers oral communication skills supporting patient teaching, team coordination, and professional presentation.
☐ Humanities or Fine Arts (3-6 credits): Required at most ABSN programs. Variable specifications across programs — some require specifically Humanities, some accept Fine Arts, some specify philosophy or literature. Career changers typically have substantial humanities coverage from prior bachelor’s degree.
☐ Human Nutrition (3 credits): Required at some programs, particularly health-science focused institutions. Variable classification — sometimes Natural Science prerequisite, sometimes gen ed, sometimes standalone. Verify category and requirement at target programs.
☐ General Chemistry I with Lab (3-4 credits): Required at most BSN/ABSN programs. Covers foundational chemical principles supporting biochemistry and pharmacology understanding. Some programs require specifically inorganic chemistry; some accept general chemistry.
☐ General Chemistry II with Lab (3-4 credits): Required at some competitive programs (more common at ABSN programs than BSN programs). Covers advanced chemistry topics including organic chemistry foundations and reaction mechanisms.
| Variable Section verificationTotal commonly variable prerequisites: 18-26 credits across 6-8 courses depending on target program range Verification approach: List specific named requirements at each target program; complete items required by any program in your target range Common variation patterns: ABSN programs typically require all items in this section; traditional BSN programs may not require Speech or Humanities; RN-to-BSN bridge programs often require fewer items |
Required at specific program types or specific institutions. Identify which apply to your target programs and complete accordingly.
☐ Ethics or Bioethics (3 credits): Common at faith-based ABSN programs (Creighton, Loyola, Marquette, others) and some BSN programs. Bioethics preferred for nursing context where available. Verify specific requirement type at target programs.
☐ Biochemistry with Lab (3-4 credits): Required at some competitive ABSN programs (Creighton, others). Less common at traditional BSN programs. Verify whether target programs require Biochemistry specifically or accept General Chemistry as sufficient.
☐ Pathophysiology (3 credits): Required at some programs as separate prerequisite (UTHSC for some pathways) or integrated into nursing curriculum (most BSN programs). Verify whether target programs require Pathophysiology as prerequisite or include it in nursing coursework.
☐ US Government, State Government, or History (3-6 credits): State-specific requirements at public universities in Texas (typically 6 credits: US Government + Texas Government), California (US History + US Government), Florida (similar state-specific), and other states. Most career changers have completed during prior bachelor’s degree.
☐ Additional Chemistry sequences (3-8 credits): Some highly competitive programs require additional chemistry beyond General Chemistry I. Examples: Organic Chemistry I and II at some programs, Inorganic Chemistry I and II at some programs. Verify at competitive ABSN programs specifically.
☐ Computer Literacy or Information Technology (variable): Required at some programs as prerequisite supporting electronic health records and healthcare technology proficiency. Often satisfied by basic computer competency demonstration rather than formal coursework.
☐ Foreign Language (variable): Required at some four-year university programs as part of broader degree requirements rather than nursing-specific. Verify at target programs particularly for BSN programs requiring broader gen ed scope.
Common patterns across nursing program types:
| Program-Specific Section verificationCritical verification: Review each target program’s specific named requirements list — program-specific items missing from your prerequisite preparation cause application timeline problems Total program-specific addition: 6-18 additional credits depending on target program range Verification timing: Confirm program-specific requirements early in preparation — before completing universal and variable categories — to support strategic sequencing planning |
Beyond coursework completion, nursing applications require specific documentation. Verify requirements at each target program.
☐ Official transcripts: Required from all institutions where coursework was completed. Order official transcripts sent directly to nursing programs (or to centralized application services like NursingCAS for ABSN programs). Standard transcript fees typically $10-$15 per institution per request.
☐ GPA documentation: Most applications require both overall GPA and prerequisite GPA documentation. Some programs require separate science GPA calculation. Calculate and document GPAs accurately before application submission.
☐ Standardized test scores (if required): Some programs require TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills), HESI A2, or other entrance exam scores. Verify requirements at target programs; register and complete required testing before application deadlines.
☐ Personal statement / nursing essay: Most programs require nursing-specific personal statement covering motivation, preparation, and career goals. Build substantive content reflecting specific nursing motivation and target program fit.
☐ Letters of recommendation: Typically 2-3 letters required from academic, professional, or healthcare references. Identify potential recommenders early; provide context and adequate time for substantive letters.
☐ Healthcare experience documentation: Many programs require or strongly recommend healthcare experience (CNA, EMT, medical scribe, patient care technician, volunteer healthcare work). Document hours, role description, and supervisor contact information.
☐ Background check and drug screening: Required at virtually all nursing programs before clinical rotations. Complete after admission (not typically before application) unless specifically required earlier.
☐ Health requirements: Immunizations, TB testing, CPR certification, health insurance. Verify specific requirements at target programs; complete before clinical rotation start.
☐ Application fees: Typical range $40-$150 per program. Budget for application fee at each target program in your range.
Critical verification actions to confirm checklist accuracy for your specific situation. Complete each verification step before finalizing prerequisite plan.
☐ List specific target programs: Identify 5-10 specific nursing programs you’re targeting. Include reach programs, match programs, and safety programs supporting realistic admission strategy.
☐ Visit each target program’s prerequisite page: Most programs publish specific prerequisite requirements on admissions website. Document specific named requirements at each target program.
☐ Identify program-specific requirements: Note items beyond universal and commonly variable categories — Ethics, Biochemistry, Pathophysiology, additional Chemistry, state-specific government/history, etc.
☐ Verify lab arrangement acceptance: If completing sciences online, verify each target program’s lab arrangement acceptance policy. Some accept virtual labs; some require in-person labs; some accept hybrid arrangements.
☐ Verify recency policies: If your prerequisite coursework spans multiple time periods, verify recency policies at target programs. Most programs apply 5-7 year recency to sciences; gen ed typically has more lenient or no recency requirements.
☐ Verify grade requirements: Most programs require C or better in prerequisites; some require B- or better at competitive programs. Verify specific grade minimums to support strategic course performance.
☐ Verify GPA requirements: Most programs require 3.0 overall GPA and specific science GPA thresholds. Document GPA requirements at each target program supporting realistic admission assessment.
☐ Verify application deadlines: Document specific application deadlines at each target program. Plan prerequisite completion timeline backward from earliest target program deadline with 1-3 month buffer.
☐ Contact admissions with specific questions: For uncertain situations (specific course content alignment, online acceptance, lab arrangement, recency), contact admissions directly. Document responses for application records.
☐ Schedule advisor meeting: If you have access to pre-health advisor or nursing-specific advisor, schedule meeting to review prerequisite plan. Advisors identify specific issues that may not be evident from independent research.
Specific verified prerequisite information from major nursing programs supports checklist accuracy assessment. The verification examples below illustrate how target program-specific verification works in practice.
Per UAMS College of Nursing BSN program: prerequisite scope includes 59 gen ed credits + 36 ADN block credit + 30 upper-division nursing for total 125 credit BSN. Per UTHSC College of Nursing BSN admission requirements: 60 credit prerequisite minimum + separate science GPA (2.67) and overall GPA (3.0) thresholds. Per UNC Chapel Hill BSN program: B- minimum sciences, C minimum gen ed, specific recency policies for sciences. Per Texas State University BSN pre-licensure prerequisites: 42 hour gen ed core + science prerequisites + state-specific government/history.
Per Cizik School of Nursing Pacesetter BSN prerequisites: 60 credits Pacesetter pathway covering both gen ed and sciences. Per Northeastern University ABSN program: comprehensive named requirements including 10-year science recency, Ethics, Biochemistry. Per Johns Hopkins School of Nursing prerequisite policies: Johns Hopkins delivers prerequisites online including Anatomy with Lab, Physiology with Lab, Microbiology with Lab, Chemistry with Lab, Biochemistry with Lab, Biostatistics, Nutrition.
PrereqCourses.com supports comprehensive checklist completion through Upper Iowa University (regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission) with course offerings covering universal and most commonly variable checklist items:
Browse the complete PrereqCourses course catalog to see specific course offerings supporting your prerequisite checklist completion.
| Checklist completion through PrereqCoursesUniversal prerequisites: All 7 universal items covered through PrereqCourses catalog Variable prerequisites: Comprehensive coverage of commonly variable items supporting consolidated single-provider completion Universal acceptance: Upper Iowa University HLC accreditation accepted at virtually every US nursing program Cost-effective: Total checklist scope (typical 45-60 credits = 15-20 courses) approximately $10,125-$13,900 at $675-$695 per course flat pricing |
No — prerequisites vary substantially across programs. Universal requirements (English Composition, Statistics, Psychology, Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Microbiology) appear at virtually all programs. Commonly variable requirements (Sociology, Lifespan, Speech, Humanities, Chemistry) appear at most but not all programs. Program-specific requirements (Ethics, Biochemistry, Pathophysiology, state-specific government/history) vary substantially. The checklist organizes prerequisites by these tiers supporting realistic planning across target program range.
Typical scope: 45-66 credits across 15-22 courses for BSN/ABSN preparation. Universal prerequisites alone: 21-22 credits. Adding commonly variable: 39-48 credits typical. Adding program-specific items: 45-66 credits total. RN-to-BSN bridge programs typically require fewer (30-45 credits). LPN-to-RN bridge programs typically require less (15-30 credits).
Yes for gen ed prerequisites universally; yes for sciences at the substantial majority of programs accepting virtual labs or hybrid online lecture + in-person lab arrangements. Verify lab arrangement acceptance at your specific target programs. The complete online pathway exists and is accepted at virtually every US nursing program through regionally accredited providers.
Most programs require completion before matriculation rather than before application. Many programs accept conditional admission pending prerequisite completion at application time. Some highly competitive programs require completion before application submission. Verify specific timing requirements at target programs — the timing affects strategic planning substantially.
Typical timeline: 12-30 months depending on pacing. Full-time prerequisite focus (12-18 months) requires income disruption — uncommon. Part-time pacing while working (18-30 months) is typical for most career changers and working adults. Career changers with strong prior bachelor’s coverage may complete remaining checklist scope in 6-12 months.
Verify specific requirements at each target program early in preparation. The checklist covers the substantial majority of common requirements; program-specific items beyond this scope require addition to your personal preparation plan. Verification timing matters — discovering missing program-specific requirements near application deadlines causes timeline problems.
Yes — the checklist is structured to support both advisor advising work and student personal planning. Advisors can use the checklist as standardized starting framework, then verify program-specific additions for each student’s target program range. The verification steps section specifically supports advisor due diligence around individual student situations.
Yes — the checklist is designed for printable use with checkable items for tracking progress. Print the complete article or relevant sections. Use as planning tool throughout prerequisite preparation; check off items as completed; add program-specific items identified through verification steps.
This nursing prerequisite checklist provides comprehensive coverage of typical requirements organized by universal scope (required at virtually all programs), commonly variable scope (required at most but not all programs), program-specific scope (varies by program), documentation requirements (beyond coursework), and verification steps (essential for accuracy). Total typical scope: 45-66 credits across 15-22 courses for BSN/ABSN preparation; 30-45 credits for RN-to-BSN bridge; 15-30 credits for LPN-to-RN bridge.
The checklist serves both advisors and students through identical content with different use cases. Advisors print as standardized advising reference; students print as personal planning roadmap. Both audiences benefit from the structural organization — universal items planned for completion regardless of specific programs; variable items verified at target programs; program-specific items identified through targeted research; documentation and application requirements assembled alongside coursework; verification steps ensuring checklist accuracy for individual situations.
Critical verification: no single checklist is universally complete because programs vary in specific named requirements. The verification steps section is essential — review each target program’s specific prerequisite list, document program-specific requirements beyond checklist scope, verify lab arrangements and recency policies, confirm grade and GPA requirements, and contact admissions for uncertain situations. Verification timing matters substantially — discovering missing program-specific requirements early supports strategic sequencing; discovering them near application deadlines causes timeline problems.PrereqCourses.com supports comprehensive checklist completion through Upper Iowa University (HLC accredited) with course offerings covering all 7 universal prerequisites plus comprehensive coverage of commonly variable items. The structural features supporting checklist completion: monthly enrollment (flexible sequencing across timeline), self-paced format (accommodating individual capacity), comprehensive single-provider catalog (consolidated single-transcript completion), and cost-effective $675-$695 per course flat pricing (supporting budget planning across full checklist scope). For advisors providing standardized advising reference and students executing personal preparation roadmaps, the checklist provides organized framework supporting strategic prerequisite planning across target program range. Print, save, and use throughout preparation — the checklist serves as planning tool from initial nursing school research through application submission.
