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The Nursing Careers

Nursing school prerequisites checklist

Check off completed courses and see what remains for ADN, BSN, and accelerated BSN tracks. Confirm the official catalog before you enroll.

Common U.S. course sets · Inputs stay in your browser

Who this is for

See remaining prereqs before you apply

After the science core, estimate program length with the time-to-RN timeline.

ADN, BSN, and ABSN

Check off completed prerequisites

This is a common course list. Schools add recency rules, minimum grades, and extra courses.

Courses you have already completed

Remaining

9 remaining on this ADN list

  • Anatomy & Physiology I (with lab)
  • Anatomy & Physiology II (with lab)
  • Microbiology (with lab)
  • Chemistry (with lab)
  • English composition
  • General psychology
  • Human growth & development / lifespan psychology
  • Nutrition
  • College algebra or equivalent math

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How the checklist works

How remaining courses are counted

  1. 1

    Pick ADN, BSN, or ABSN

    Each track shows only the courses commonly attached to that path.

  2. 2

    Check off completed courses

    Unchecked items stay in the remaining list. Nothing is sent to a server.

  3. 3

    Confirm the school catalog

    Course lists are common U.S. sets. Each school publishes its own required courses, labs, recency rules, and minimum grades.

Primary sources

Common U.S. RN program prerequisite patterns

Common course list only. Verified August 12, 2026. Next review November 12, 2026.

Common questions

Nursing prerequisites FAQ

What prerequisites do I need for nursing school?

Most U.S. RN programs ask for anatomy and physiology with labs, microbiology, chemistry, English, psychology, and lifespan development. BSN and ABSN tracks often add statistics and pathophysiology. Each school publishes its own list.

Are ADN and BSN prerequisites the same?

The science core overlaps. BSN tracks more often require statistics, pathophysiology, and additional general education. This checklist shows a common set, not a specific catalog.

Do CNA classes count as nursing prerequisites?

Usually no. CNA training does not replace college anatomy, microbiology, or chemistry. Some schools treat CNA work as a plus on the application.

How recent do science courses need to be?

Many programs require A&P and microbiology within 5-7 years. Recency rules are school-specific. If a course is old, ask the admissions office before you retake it.

Can I finish prerequisites online?

Some schools accept online lecture plus an in-person or approved online lab. Others require face-to-face labs. Confirm before you enroll.

Does this checklist admit me to a nursing program?

No. Admissions decisions, minimum grades, TEAS or other tests, and waitlists belong to the school.

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