What Are Pre-Nursing Courses and Why Do They Matter?  

A career in nursing offers the opportunity to make a profound difference in patients’ lives. If you plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), you’ll need to complete several nursing prerequisites, or “prereqs.” Prerequisite requirements vary from program to program, but they typically include general education classes as well as health and science courses such as chemistry, microbiology, human anatomy and physiology, and nutritional science. These courses provide the educational foundation you need to thrive in the nursing profession.  

Many colleges and educational institutions offer prereqs for nursing, but not all pre-nursing programs are created equal. It’s important to do your research to discover the advantages and disadvantages of each program. Keep reading to explore five essential questions you should ask before choosing a pre-nursing program. 

1. Will Your Pre-Nursing Courses Transfer?  

Colleges and universities typically have stringent policies regarding transfer credits. Before committing to a pre-nursing program, make sure to thoroughly investigate whether the credits earned from nursing prerequisites will be accepted by the nursing degree program you plan to pursue. If you’re unsure, contact the admission office at your intended educational institution to confirm which courses are transferable. This proactive approach can help you avoid the frustration of completing nontransferable courses that don’t count toward your degree. Completing nontransferable courses can be a major setback in terms of your academic timeline. This mistake can also result in additional tuition costs and fees, increasing the overall price of your education. 

2. Are Your Pre-Nursing Courses from an Accredited Institution?  

While most people have a basic understanding of college accreditation, few recognize just how meaningful this designation really is. During the accreditation process, a reputable external organization called an accrediting body thoroughly assesses the quality of an educational institution or its programs. Accrediting bodies verify that programs meet strict criteria for curriculum relevance, academic rigor, faculty qualifications, student outcomes, and other essential standards. 

By choosing an accredited institution for your nurse prerequisites, you ensure that your education holds value and credibility within the nursing field. Additionally, many colleges and universities accept transfer credits only from accredited programs. Some of the most well-respected accrediting bodies for nursing programs include:

• The Commission on the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) 
• The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 
• The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) 
• The American College of Nurse-Midwives Division of Accreditation (ACNM)
• The NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA)

3. Are Your Pre-Nursing Courses High Quality? 

To pursue a career in nursing, you’ll need a strong foundation in scientific disciplines such as human anatomy and pharmacology as well as healthcare essentials like patient communication, care management, and healthcare ethics. When selecting your pre-nursing courses, make sure to consider how well the classes will prepare you for the weighty responsibilities involved in the nursing profession. Look for challenging, high-quality courses that teach you both theoretical knowledge and how to apply what you’ve learned to real-world situations. Be wary of red flags such as lack of accreditation, outdated curriculum, and substandard course requirements.  

4. Are Your Pre-Nursing Courses Preparing You for the NCLEX? 

To become a licensed nurse in the United States, you’ll need to pass The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). This rigorous exam tests prospective nurses’ proficiency in several vital areas, including infection control, health promotion, pharmacological therapies, parenteral therapies, and psychological integrity. It contains 75 to 145 questions in multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and drag-and-drop formats. 

Successfully completing the NCLEX not only demonstrates your proficiency in these essential subjects but also unlocks the door to a fulfilling and impactful career in nursing. As you consider your options for pre-nursing coursework, ensure that the classes you choose provide thorough coverage of NCLEX topics. Additionally, you can search online to find your prospective schools’ NCLEX pass rate. This will tell you the percentage of students from a particular program who pass the NCLEX test, providing valuable insights into the program’s relevance and academic rigor. 

5. Are Your Pre-Nursing Courses Affordable and Accessible?  

Many individuals aspire to become nurses but hesitate to enroll in a pre-licensure program due to concerns about tuition costs and the time commitment involved. Fortunately, many reputable schools have adapted to modern educational needs by offering low-cost, online, flexible, or accelerated nursing programs. These programs reduce barriers to entry into the nursing profession, making this rewarding career path accessible for individuals regardless of their circumstances. Online nursing degrees have become increasingly popular among working professionals who must juggle schoolwork and job responsibilities simultaneously. Many prospective nurses also choose accelerated or competency-based programs that allow them to graduate sooner, saving them time and money. If your dream is to become a nurse, there are many educational avenues available to you.

Jump-Start Your Nursing Career with an Accredited Degree from WGU

WGU offers online, accredited nursing programs that can equip you with the competencies needed to flourish in a nursing career. At WGU, nursing students enjoy the flexibility to complete most of their coursework online, allowing them to balance their education with their personal and professional obligations. Additionally, WGU uses a competency-based learning model that empowers students to take assessments and pass classes as soon as they’re ready. This means that you don’t have to wait until the end of a term to demonstrate your knowledge and progress to the next course. Our tuition model is also unique. Each six-month term, you pay a low, flat-rate tuition that covers all the coursework you complete in that time. The more courses you finish in a term, the more you save on tuition costs. 

WGU boasts a first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate of 89.21%, which is higher than the national average. This figure reflects how well WGU’s curriculum prepares students not only for the NCLEX exam but also for the real-world challenges they’ll face in the nursing profession. Our Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Prelicensure) program includes industry-aligned prerequisite requirements covering essential subjects like physical science, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, sociology, human growth and development, and human anatomy and physiology II. Once students complete pre-nursing classes, they can begin the nursing portion of the program, which includes hands-on learning labs and clinical rotations. Begin your journey to a rewarding nursing career by applying today.