Prerequisites are basic classes you must complete before starting your nursing program. They allow you to develop a solid academic foundation, which facilitates success with the nursing school curriculum. Common prerequisites include courses in pathophysiology, statistics, human anatomy, and nutrition.
Nursing prerequisite courses are designed to provide a foundation for nursing education. These not only help ensure you have the primary knowledge required to undertake professional nursing study, but they will also set the tone for your nursing education.
Madonna University is a popular choice among those who want to earn a nursing degree sooner while benefiting from a values-based education. Madonna’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program puts your non-nursing bachelor’s degree or 60 or more college credits to work so you can become a registered nurse (RN) in as few as 16 months. Before you can get started, however, you may need to take some prerequisite courses.
What are the prerequisite courses for nursing? Every ABSN program establishes its own prerequisite requirements for applicants. When you apply to Madonna University, your admissions representative will review your prior education to determine which, if any, prerequisite courses you need to complete.
Nursing school vs. medical school: Consider which path could be right for you.
Before starting the admissions process, take a closer look at why ABSN prerequisite courses are essential for your nursing education, explore common prerequisites, and discover how you can complete the requirements.
Why Prerequisites Matter in Nursing Education
Prerequisites are vital because they give you a foundation of knowledge that prepares you for what you will learn during the nursing program. Additionally, they introduce you to Madonna University’s mission and vision, while helping you feel more comfortable with the subject matter covered by our ABSN curriculum.
Prerequisites set you up for success with a well-rounded education that prepares you for an accelerated nursing program's rigorous coursework and schedule. Whether you just graduated or have been out of school for a few years, prerequisites will help you get back on track with a study schedule.
Consider completing the prerequisites at Madonna University for the added benefit of familiarizing yourself with the online learning system ahead of your program’s start date.
How Many Prerequisite Courses Do I Need to Complete?
Each ABSN program establishes its own prerequisite requirements, and so the number you’ll need to take will vary from one school to the next. At maximum, there are 12 prerequisites you must complete as part of the nursing program admission process at Madonna University. These encompass five general education courses and seven science courses.
You might not need to take all 12 prerequisite courses, depending on your academic history and which credits will transfer.
Common Nursing Prerequisite Courses
If you have 60 college credits or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or institution, you must complete the following science prerequisites with a passing grade of C or higher:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- Pathophysiology
- Intro to Life Chemistry
- Probability & Statistics
- General Nutrition for the Health Professional
- Therapeutic Nutrition for the Health Professional
Any science-based prerequisites must have been completed within the past seven years to be considered for fulfilling that requirement.
You must also complete or transfer the following general education courses:
- Intro to Psychology
- Lifespan Development Psychology
- Intro to Sociology
- College Composition
- College Composition II
Depending on your prior experience and earned credits, you may need to complete additional requirements prior to enrolling in our ABSN program, such as core curriculum courses or Madonna University’s signature courses. Additionally, some students may need to complete nursing support courses, which can be taken during the nursing program.
Connect with one of Madonna’s admissions representatives for more information about which college credits are eligible for transfer and what requirements still need to be met.
Earning a BSN is important for your nursing career. Among other benefits, it establishes a foundation for pursuing career advancement later.
Pathophysiology
In medical science, pathophysiology refers to the biochemical changes and functional processes that develop alongside or because of a disease or an injury. For example, if a person sustains a wound, the body launches an inflammatory response.
The pathophysiology nursing prerequisite course teaches how to test, diagnose, and treat illnesses. You must understand these steps because not every patient you treat will understand the depths of their disease or why certain tests are needed. As you care for patients in clinical rotations, understanding pathophysiology can help you fulfill your role more effectively.
Chemistry
Chemistry helps you understand the elements that make up our world and impact our bodies. As a nurse, you will administer medications to patients. It’s important to know how medications and compounds work in the body, as well as which medications complement each other and which are ineffective when taken together. You must also understand how electrolytes affect the body and when they are needed.
Anatomy & Physiology
These two courses work together to outline the foundation for the work you will do daily. They are designed to help you understand the structure and function of the human body and the different systems it contains, including the reproductive system, skeletal system, heart, limbic system, integumentary system, and more.
You will need these courses to understand how to properly care for your patient. The body must stay in a balanced condition to operate. If unbalanced, it is your job to work with doctors and other support staff to find out how to recover the body’s stability. This will require you to think critically when your patient needs proper care.
How Prerequisites Prepare You for Success
It can be tough to dive right back into school, especially if you’ve been in the workforce for years. Nursing prerequisite courses allow you to refresh your knowledge and gain new skills before tackling the nursing curriculum. Some examples of how prerequisites prepare you for success in nursing school include:
- College Composition I and II: Communication skills, written and verbal, are essential for both nursing education and professional practice. These prerequisites help you strengthen your communication skills.
- Probability & Statistics: Nurses need basic math skills, as they must be able to calculate dosages, perform unit conversions, and track things like a patient’s fluid balance. This course can help you refine your math skills.
How Can I Complete Nursing Prerequisites?
When you’re ready to begin your prerequisites for nursing school, Madonna University makes pre-nursing education more accessible by offering online courses. While you’re not required to take your ABSN prerequisite courses through Madonna University, doing so will best prepare you for the rigorous ABSN program.
Taking prerequisites through Madonna also allows your admissions representative to better assist you and offers immediate access to your classes and grades, allowing for a smoother transition into the Accelerated BSN program.
Considering how to pay for nursing school? There are plenty of options to explore.
Begin Working Toward Your Nursing Career
These prerequisite courses are the foundation for understanding nursing science and methods, but you won’t be without help in your ABSN education. At Madonna University, you can expect a supportive learning environment, with small class sizes, personalized admissions assistance, and Academic Success Coaches to work with you one-on-one. Located in the heart of Metro Detroit, our ABSN program offers three start dates per year and an education that can help your nursing career get off to the right start.
Contact an admissions representative today to get started.