Last Updated on September 27, 2024 by II Editor
Thinking of starting a career in nursing but find yourself lacking some of the typical prerequisites? Fear not, as there are nursing schools that provide fresh starts for students without requiring certain courses that are commonly expected. In this blog post, we explore what a nursing school without prerequisites means and examine the top 10 best options to obtain your nursing degree without having to go back and complete additional classes first. Reading further, you will discover great programs that welcome students from all educational backgrounds and help pave the way for an impactful career in healthcare.
What is a Nursing school without prerequisites?
A nursing school without prerequisites is an academic institution that allows students to apply for and enrol in an undergraduate nursing program without first completing a set of preliminary general education courses. At traditional nursing schools, students are typically required to complete a variety of science, math, English, and social science courses before being eligible for the clinical nursing major. Common prerequisites include biology, anatomy & physiology, microbiology, chemistry, college algebra, psychology, sociology, English composition and other introductory classes.
Nursing schools without prerequisites aim to remove these academic barriers that can prevent otherwise qualified candidates from entering the nursing field. They provide an accelerated pathway for students to matriculate directly into nursing coursework focused on clinical skills, professional development, and caregiving practices. Often referred to as “second-degree” or “non-traditional” programs, schools without prerequisites create options for career-changers, students with associate degrees in other majors, and those lacking a strong science background but wishing to pursue nursing. Some programs will consider work or life experience in place of prerequisites to provide credit and advanced standing. The goal is to open access and get students started on their nursing educations sooner through flexible admissions standards.
Do You Need Prerequisites for Nursing School?
A common question among prospective nursing students is whether prerequisites are truly necessary for success in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. While prerequisites can help establish a foundational science and math knowledge base relevant to nursing coursework, their value is debated. On one hand, nursing programs aim to prepare students for the challenges of academic rigour and medical complexities they will face. Those with prerequisite coursework under their belts may find nursing classes less difficult as a result. However, others argue that the level of critical thinking, study and time management skills needed to thrive in nursing school can be gained through other experiences too.
Many look to the examples of prestigious nursing programs without prerequisites as proof that prior academic achievement in science is not the only path leading to strong results. Still, nursing school is an intense period of didactic and clinical learning, and students may struggle to learn advanced nursing concepts without basic biology, chemistry and psychology knowledge. Nursing programs requiring prerequisites for those without science backgrounds aim to smooth potential difficulties. Yet nursing schools lacking prerequisites have demonstrated that with the right academic support, motivation and study habits, success in nursing is attainable for a wide range of students, not just those meeting specific course criteria beforehand. Overall, prerequisites may ease the transition but are likely not the sole determinant for thriving as a nurse.
Top 10 Best Nursing Schools Without Prerequisites
1. Georgetown University
Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. is one of the most renowned universities in the United States, and its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program accepts students without prerequisite coursework completed. Applicants need only a high school diploma or GED along with one year of either science, math or a foreign language. The rigorous program at Georgetown is fast-paced and intense but provides an elite nursing education in the heart of the nation’s capital. Students gain firsthand experience within the thriving D.C. healthcare sector. Graduates emerge well-prepared to serve as nurse leaders making an impact on both local and global communities.
2. Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City University offers an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing specifically for students without a background in nursing or science. The 15-month program is completed year-round through full-time intensive study. No prerequisites are required, though one year of either anatomy/physiology or chemistry is preferred. OCU maintains small class sizes and provides academic support to help students succeed in courses that move at an accelerated pace compared to traditional BSN programs. Clinical experience is integrated into coursework from the start. Upon graduation, students are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam to become registered nurses.
3. Regis College
Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts awards a Bachelor of Science in Nursing for students transferring in with an associate’s degree in a non-nursing field. No additional prerequisites are necessary beyond the prerequisites completed as part of the associate’s. This versatile second-degree BSN program can be completed in just five semesters of full-time enrollment. Clinical experience takes place at some of the most prestigious healthcare facilities in the Boston area. Regis College is renowned for empowering students to provide compassionate care and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in underserved communities around the world.
4. Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago offers a Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing program requiring only a previously obtained non-nursing bachelor’s degree for admission. No other prerequisites are mandated. This highly flexible, primarily online program can be completed in as little as 16 months of full-time study or extended part-time. Didactic courses are supplemented with hands-on training in care settings throughout Chicago. Students gain a well-rounded education from Loyola’s experienced nursing faculty as well as invaluable urban healthcare experience. The diverse clinical sites prepare graduates well to serve diverse patient populations with cultural understanding and care.
5. Metropolitan State University of Denver
Based in the thriving city of Denver, Colorado, Metropolitan State University requires no prerequisites for admission to its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Applicants need a high school diploma or GED along with an interest in and commitment to the nursing profession. The upper-division program leads to a BSN in just two and a half years of full-time enrollment through year-round courses. MSU Denver maintains close partnerships with leading medical centres around Denver to provide extensive clinical practice opportunities alongside classroom and lab instruction. Students join a supportive community of aspiring nurses dedicated to improving healthcare in the Rocky Mountain region.
6. University of Memphis
Taking an inter-professional approach, the Loewenberg College of Nursing at the University of Memphis accepts students directly into its Pre-Licensure BSN program without academic prerequisites. Applicants need a minimum GPA from a previous college education along with certain immunization and technology requirements. Through a hybrid classroom and online curriculum, the four-year path to the BSN develops strong clinical reasoning alongside compassionate patient care abilities. Students gain practical experience in Memphis’ top health systems and complete a junior-level community health rotation. The program equips graduates to excel on the NCLEX while making a positive difference as registered nurses throughout Tennessee and beyond.
7. Purdue University
With its main campus located in West Lafayette, Indiana, Purdue University provides a flexible path to a Purdue BSN through the second-degree Pre-Licensure Nursing program. No specific prerequisites are mandated beyond a previously earned non-nursing bachelor’s degree and the ability to fulfil general education requirements. Clinical observation hours are also preferred but not required. This primarily online program incorporates hybrid learning to optimize classroom engagement. Didactic courses are supplemented by hands-on training in facilities throughout Indiana. Small class sizes and one-on-one advising help students balance rigorous nursing coursework with personal responsibilities. Purdue graduates emerge well-trained to deliver quality, compassionate care.
8. California Baptist University
Founded in 1950, California Baptist University today offers an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing suitable for students transferring in from other majors. The upper-division program requires only a previously obtained non-nursing associate’s or bachelor’s degree along with basic computer skills. Coursework is concentrated into an intensive 16-month schedule conducive to career-changers and working adults. CBU nursing alumni enjoy high NCLEX pass rates. Clinical rotations take place in hospitals, medical offices and community clinics across scenic Riverside, California. Students gain a strong foundation in holistic nursing principles equipping them to serve diverse populations with cultural understanding.
9. Idaho State University
Idaho State University’s on-campus BSN program in Pocatello welcomes students without prerequisites beyond regular admission standards like ACT/SAT scores. ISU maintains close partnerships with top regional healthcare facilities to provide more than 700 hours of hands-on clinical training over the program. The flexible four-year curriculum incorporates hybrid online and in-person instruction. ISU graduates emerge prepared for the challenges of the NCLEX while poised to address nursing needs throughout rural Idaho and beyond. Many join the community as registered nurses committed to serving patient populations with cultural awareness and care.
10. Montana State University
Set in Bozeman, Montana State University requires only a high school diploma/GED for its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Through engaged classroom learning and 750+ hours of clinical training in partners like Billings Clinic, students gain skills to serve diverse populations across the scenic state. MSU’s four-year course integrates a community health rotation where students make meaningful impacts by addressing real public health challenges. The supportive environment fosters empowerment and competence, with graduates emerging ready to improve health equity as leaders throughout rural Montana. Committed to expanding access to skilled nursing care, MSU shapes practitioners devoted to culturally aware service wherever most needed, upholding the University’s land-grant mission of community enrichment.
Conclusion
The above schools offer fresh starts for students wishing to pursue this important career even without typical prerequisites completed beforehand. By integrating foundational science and general education classes into rewarding nursing degree pathways, these top programs help remove barriers that may have previously discouraged or prevented eligible candidates from entering the field. With dedicated faculty support and advising, individuals from all educational backgrounds can gain the science knowledge, clinical skills training and credentials needed to become professional nurses and embark on impactful healthcare careers. By providing flexible on-ramps, these best nursing schools without prerequisites help ensure the future nursing workforce reflects the full diversity of those they serve. With the national shortage of nurses expected to continue, these programs aim to expand opportunities and bright futures for both students and patients alike.
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