ABSN Prerequisites for Nursing School: What You Need to Know
When it comes to prerequisites for nursing school, every higher learning institution has a slightly different set of course requirements. So, if you’re thinking about applying to our 16-month ABSN program in Maywood or Downers Grove, Illinois, here’s information about our ABSN prerequisites that you might find helpful.
It’s important to note that our ABSN program is for individuals who have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or higher, along with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA for all college coursework. So, whether your degree is in biology or communications, you have the same opportunity to accelerate into the nursing profession—having completed the required prerequisite courses.
Prerequisite Parameters
Our ABSN prerequisites consist of science and six non-science courses. Your previous field of undergraduate study typically affects what prerequisite courses you need to complete.
There is, however, a caveat when it comes to the science courses. You must have completed these courses within seven years of entering the program. Why? Science is consistently evolving, with researchers discovering new things all the time. Being current in the sciences is essential to your understanding of today’s complex nursing concepts.
| SCIENCE COURSES | CREDIT HOURS | MINIMUM GRADE REQUIREMENT |
| Organic Chemistry + Lab OR Chemistry for Health Professionals + Lab | 4 | C |
| Anatomy & Physiology I + Lab | 4 | C |
| Anatomy & Physiology II + Lab | 4 | C |
| Microbiology | 3 | C |
| NON-SCIENCE COURSES | CREDIT HOURS | MINIMUM GRADE REQUIREMENT |
| Introduction to Psychology | 3 | C- |
| Developmental Psychology | 3 | C- |
| English (two courses) | 6 | C- |
| History | 3 | C- |
| Statistics | 3 | C- |
Whether you need to complete one or more prerequisites, you can complete these courses at any regionally accredited higher learning institution. Many times, prospective ABSN students take their prerequisites through a community college or an online program—or sometimes both. Your enrollment advisor can help you identify the best place(s) to complete prerequisites.
Prerequisite Planning
Enrollment Advisor Payton Leach
During the admission process, your enrollment advisor will devise a prerequisite completion plan that aligns with your needs and preferred start date in the ABSN program.
For example, if you’re someone who wants to start nursing school as soon as possible, your prerequisite plan will be a lot more structured than someone who can only take one course at a time.
“Every student prerequisite plan is unique to his or her enrollment timeline, personal obligations, finances, and where he or she wants to complete the courses,” said Payton Leach, Director of ABSN Enrollment for the Loyola ABSN program.
You’ll find that the science prerequisites are both challenging and time-consuming, particularly those which have lab requirements, such as anatomy, physiology, and chemistry. So, if you’ve struggled with science in the past, you may consider taking one science prerequisite at a time. This way you’re not stretching yourself too thin and can really focus on the complexities of the material.
Another important aspect of prerequisite planning involves paying for these courses. Most students have to pay out of pocket for their prerequisites. Why? They are not full-time students, so they don’t qualify for financial aid. Every institution has different credit-hour costs, so it’s worth looking around for the most affordable option among high-quality schools.
Ready or Not?
Now that you have a better understanding of our nursing school prerequisites, we suggest reaching out to our enrollment team to see where you stand in terms of applying to our 16-month ABSN program. Just remember you need a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to qualify for the program. Also, be sure to ask about the differences between our on-campus and hybrid ABSN study options.