ABSN Prerequisites for Nursing School: What You Need to Know

When completing a nursing education, the admission requirements can vary depending on the specific school or degree type. Pre-nursing courses are usually taken as part of the curriculum of a traditional 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree during the program’s first two years. However, the process works differently for students considering an accelerated nursing education. Concordia University St. Paul’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program delivers a 16-month curriculum that prepares graduates to seek their nursing licensure and begin their careers.

Our ABSN program track is for individuals with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or higher and a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA. So, whether your degree is in biology or communications, you will have the same opportunity to accelerate into a 16-month nursing curriculum—upon completing the required prerequisite courses. Let’s explore a bit more about prerequisites and what your experience may be.

What Are Prerequisite Courses?

The prerequisite classes needed for nursing school are the foundation on which you will build the rest of your nursing knowledge as an ABSN student. Nurses apply the knowledge they’ve learned in foundational science classes such as chemistry and biology and ethics concepts from humanities prerequisites. You must be comfortable in these subjects before applying this information to coursework, skills labs and clinical learning at a variety of health care and community-based facilities in the St. Paul area.

If you have completed a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you may have already completed some of the required prerequisites. You will need to take these courses according to our parameters If you are considering applying to our 16-month ABSN program track in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Prerequisite Parameters

Our ABSN prerequisites consist of science and non-science courses. Your previous field of undergraduate study typically affects what prerequisite courses you need to complete. As part of the admissions requirements, you must have completed all science courses within seven years before entering the program track. With regular scientific advancements related to medicine, having the most up-to-date knowledge is essential to your understanding of modern nursing concepts.

Whether you need to complete one prerequisite or more, you can complete these courses at any regionally accredited higher-learning institution including Concordia University, St. Paul!. Prospective ABSN students often take their prerequisites through a community college or an online program—or sometimes both. Talk with your enrollment advisor to help determine which of your completed credits will be accepted, and they can help you identify the best strategy to complete your prerequisite courses.

Prerequisite Planning: How Can I Complete my Prerequisites?

During the admissions process, your enrollment advisor will develop a prerequisite completion plan that aligns with your needs and preferred start date in the ABSN program track.

Science prerequisites can be challenging, particularly those with lab requirements such as anatomy, physiology and chemistry. If this concerns you, consider taking one science prerequisite at a time. This way, you’re not stretching yourself too thin and can focus on the material’s complexities.

Paying for these courses is another crucial aspect of prerequisite planning. Every institution has different credit-hour costs, so it’s worth looking around for the most affordable option among high-quality schools.

ABSN Prerequisite FAQs

Transferring credits and enrolling in prerequisite courses might seem complicated, but we at CSP are here to help you every step of the way. Here are answers to a few questions students frequently ask.

How do I know which prerequisites I need?

The best way to determine which prerequisites you still need to take is by speaking with your enrollment advisor, who evaluates students on a case-by-case basis. Your enrollment advisor will be able to examine your transcripts from your previous school and determine which credits are eligible to transfer. Once you know which credits you still need, you can plan to complete classes and begin the nursing program track.

Can I apply to nursing school if I still need to complete all my prerequisites?

In short, yes, you can apply before completing your prerequisites. But keep in mind that you can only begin the program track after those courses are completed. If your application is accepted while those courses are still in progress, you will receive provisional admission until completion.

Are prerequisites unique to the ABSN program?

Since the ABSN program track is quite like a BSN program aside from the accelerated timeline, the ABSN prerequisites will also look similar to some classes you may take in the first two years of a traditional nursing program. All nursing students can anticipate taking biology, anatomy and physiology and statistics courses. Remember that each nursing program might have a different set of required classes or GPA requirements to be eligible for admission.

Ready to Pursue Nursing?

Now that you understand the necessary prerequisites for nursing school, an enrollment advisor will help you determine the classes needed and how to take your first steps. Finding a quality nursing education can be a journey, but CPS’s nursing program is designed to turn our students into exceptional nursing leaders dedicated to lifelong learning. If your educational values align with ours, we encourage you to take the first step toward enrollment.

Contact an admissions advisor to find out if you’re ready to apply to Concord University St. Paul’s 16-month ABSN program track.