Undergraduate Courses in Nursing

A lot of courses are required to become nurse.

A nursing degree requires a wide variety of of prerequisite courses and courses specific to the nursing degree program you selected. Necessary undergraduate courses vary according to either a Practical Nursing degree program or a Registered Nursing Program. Required courses vary by state and nursing program but a general template is used across the United States.

Prerequisite courses for Practical Nursing

Practical Nursing prerequisite courses prepare the student for the core coursework of the nursing degree program. Required prerequisite courses vary by state and college course numbers, but usually include some variation of the following:

1. English Composition or College Writing

2. Intermediate or College Algebra

3. Introduction to Psychology

4. Human Biology or Anatomy & Physiology

5. Nutrition

Prerequisite Courses for Registered Nursing

Registered Nursing prerequisite courses prepare the student for the core coursework of the nursing degree program. Required prerequisite courses vary by state and college course numbers, but often include:

1. Introduction to Psychology

2. Anatomy and Physiology

3. Microbiology

4. Inorganic Chemistry

5. Organic Chemistry

6. Dosage Calculations

7. Introduction to Pharmocology

Practical Nursing Core Courses

Practical Nursing program core courses take place in the classroom and clinical setting and prepare the student to work as a Practical Nurse. Courses and Course Names/Number vary by state and institution, and may involve:

1. Gerontology

2. Pharmacology

3. Mental Health Nursing

4. Child and Maternal Nursing

5. Adult Nursing

6. Leadership Skills

7. Nursing Views and Ethics

Registered Nursing Core Courses

Registered Nursing program core courses take place in the classroom and clinical setting, and prepare the student to work as a Registered Nurse. Courses and Course Names/Number vary by state and college. They may include:

1. Mental Health (Classroom & Clinical)

2. Clinical Pharmacology

3. Health Assessment

4. Adult Health

5. Nursing Leadership

6. Medical-Surgical Nursing

7. Nurse Communications

8. Pediatric Nursing

9. Maternal-Newborn Nursing

10. Nutrition of Nursing

11. Clinical Applications

12. Nursing Ethics

13. Chronic Care Nursing & End of Life

14. Acute Care Nursing & End of Life

References

• Olympic College: Associate in Technical Arts Degree Prerequisite Courses
• Pacific Lutheran University School of Nursing: Basic Program Sequence
• Oregon Health & Science University: Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements
• Olympic College: Associate Degree Nursing Program Curriculum
• The University of Montana College of Technology: Practical Nursing Curriculum
• Olympic College: Practical Nursing Prerequisite Courses