When most people think about nursing, they visualize a career rooted in caring and compassion. While an accurate depiction, it’s not exactly a complete picture of the profession. There’s a lot more to the job than having a good bedside manner. Nurses need a solid understanding of math, science and the humanities to provide safe, effective patient care, which is why prerequisites for nursing school are important.
While every nursing school has a different set of prerequisite requirements, we’re going to focus on those that relate to the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program at the University of St. Thomas Houston, or ABSN@UST. But before we do, it’s important to note that you need a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, along with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, to be eligible for our 12-month ABSN program in Houston, Texas.
Nursing Prerequisites
As part of our ABSN enrollment process, you must satisfy the below nursing prerequisites. Why? Because these courses help ensure you have the preliminary knowledge that’s required to undertake professional nursing study. In other words, you’ll be able to hit the ground running on your first day in the program. Not to mention, these courses are also essential to your overall preparation as a nurse.
An understanding of human anatomy and physiology, for example, is what allows doctors and nurses to restore and maintain balance within a patient’s body. And it’s because of microbiology that healthcare providers are able to maintain patient environments that are free of contamination and infection.
| Nursing Prerequisites | Min. Grade Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II* | B- | 6-8 |
| Microbiology | B- | 3-4 |
| Algebra or Statistics* | C | 3 |
| Nutrition (recommended, not required) |
Depending on your previous field of undergraduate study, you may have credits that are eligible for transfer. For instance, if you have a degree in biology or health sciences, there’s a good chance you’ve satisfied most of the nursing prerequisites. But the only way to know for sure is to speak with one of our admissions counselors.
Nutrition Matters
While we don’t require you to take nutrition as part of our nursing prerequisites, you’ll be better off if you do. After all, this course explores the importance of making healthy food choices, which is vital in preventing or managing chronic illness, such as diabetes and heart disease, in patients.
Core Curriculum
In addition to the nursing prerequisites, you must also satisfy our core curriculum requirements. Given you already have a bachelor’s degree, there’s a good chance you’ve satisfied most, if not all, of the core courses below. But again, the only way to know for sure is by speaking with an admissions counselor.
| Courses | Min. Grade Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| English | C | 6 |
| Social/Behavioral Science | C | 6 |
| History | C | 6 |
| Fine Arts | C | 3 |
| Theology | C | 6 |
| Philosophy | C | 6 |
Now you’re probably wondering what these core courses have to do with nursing. After all, how can history and philosophy possibly have an influence on modern nursing? You’d be surprised.
Being versed in the humanities broadens a nursing student’s mindset, giving him or her the ability to relate to multiple points of view and be flexible in the face of change—which, by the way, is key in healthcare because it’s continuously evolving.
Furthermore, nurses are responsible for patient advocacy and often serve as positive change agents within the medical field. For this to be possible, they must have the English and communication skills necessary to write and speak persuasively.
Prerequisite Planning
As you begin the ABSN@UST admissions process, your assigned counselor will help you create a prerequisite completion plan that aligns with your preferred start date in the program. Take note you can complete your nursing prerequisites through our University. Also, keep in mind that you can apply to our program with some prerequisites in progress. You just need to satisfy all of the ABSN admissions requirements ahead of your target start date.
Personalized Admissions Support
As a prospective ABSN@UST student, you’ll work with an assigned admissions counselor who will support you every step of the way, from your initial inquiry to your first day of class. He or she will be readily available to answer your questions and make sure you stay on track. But above all, your counselor will see to it that you submit the most competitive ABSN application possible.
Nursing School Acceptance
Upon being accepted into our 12-month ABSN program, you’ll probably feel both excited and nervous. Getting into nursing school is a major feat worth the fervor, but then comes the uneasiness of not knowing what to expect. While easier said than done, don’t let the fear of the unknown get in the way of your excitement. Because we’ll do everything we can to prepare you for the first day of class. And, we won’t stop there. Once you’re in the program, our faculty and staff will be there to see you through graduation.
Nursing School Snapshot
As a full-time nursing student in our 12-month ABSN program, you’ll complete a rigorous blend of online and on-site curriculum.
- Online coursework sets the foundation for your education, teaching you the fundamentals and theories of professional nursing practice.
- Hands-on labs at our program site develop your core nursing skills and clinical judgment in a contextual learning environment.
- Clinical rotations at top healthcare facilities provide you with real-world experience in diverse areas of nursing practice.
Together, these three learning components prepare you to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®) with confidence and enter the profession as a practice-ready nurse.
Ready to Get Started?
If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and are interested in accelerating your nursing career, contact our admissions team to get started. Our 12-month ABSN program has three start dates per year—January, May and August.
