Nursing Prerequisite Tracker

The 16 prerequisite courses most BSN and ABSN programs expect, grouped by subject area with credit estimates and the recency rules that surprise career-changers the most.

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Always verify each requirement against the official program prerequisite list at your target school — wording and credit minimums vary, and a missed line item is the #1 reason qualified applicants are denied.

Science prerequisites

Most programs want 12–18 science credits completed within the last 5–7 years.

CompletedCourseCreditsNotes
Anatomy & Physiology I (with lab)4 creditsUniversal requirement. Often must be completed within 5–7 years.
Anatomy & Physiology II (with lab)4 creditsMust follow A&P I. Same recency window.
Microbiology (with lab)4 creditsUniversal requirement. Recency rules vary — 5 years is common.
Chemistry (with lab)3–4 creditsEither general chemistry or 'chemistry for health sciences'. Confirm which the school accepts.
Biochemistry or Organic Chemistry3 creditsRequired by some ABSN programs (~40%). Verify before enrolling.
Pathophysiology3 creditsIncreasingly required as a prerequisite (was historically taught in-program).

Behavioral sciences

CompletedCourseCreditsNotes
Introductory Psychology3 creditsUniversal requirement.
Lifespan / Developmental Psychology3 creditsRequired by most BSN/ABSN programs.
Sociology or Anthropology3 creditsRequired by many programs to meet liberal-arts requirements.

Quantitative

CompletedCourseCreditsNotes
Statistics3 creditsUniversal requirement. Most schools accept any introductory stats course.
College-level Math (algebra or higher)3 creditsSome programs require it; others substitute statistics.

General education

CompletedCourseCreditsNotes
English Composition I3 creditsUniversal.
English Composition II / Writing3 creditsCommon for BSN; ABSN programs sometimes waive when prior bachelor's exists.
Nutrition3 creditsRequired by most BSN programs. Often offered online for working students.
Public Speaking / Communication3 creditsRequired by some programs as a liberal-arts elective.

Next steps: Reach / Match / Likely · State-by-state requirements · ABSN timeline planner

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