Applicants to nursing college, whether intending to earn an associate or bachelor's degree, are required to have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. High school students interested in nursing should take courses in mathematics, chemistry, biology and health. Although it is not typically required, students should also take classes in a foreign language, as nurses are often called to communicate with patients from various nationalities.
Nursing programs that lead to associate degrees typically require applicants to submit scores from the HESI (Health Education Systems Inc.) standardized examination. Test subject matter includes anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, vocabulary, general knowledge, reading comprehension, grammar and basic math. Students must earn a score of 80 percent to pass the HESI exam.
Most colleges and universities require applicants to submit scores from the SAT or ACT standardized college assessment exams. According to ADN-Degree.com, a website that lists the requirements students will need to meet to earn an associate degree in nursing, most community colleges require applicants to have a SAT score of 940 or higher. To have guaranteed admission to the bachelor's degree nursing program at the University of Illinois at Chicago, applicants need an ACT score of 28 or an SAT score of 1240 or higher.
The prerequisite coursework students need to complete for nursing college depends on the type of degree students are hoping to receive. Students hoping to earn an associate degree will typically need to take courses in English, mathematics, computer literacy, sociology and writing. Students applying to a nursing program that grants a bachelor's degree will have to take several additional qualifying courses. The prerequisite courses required at the University of Illinois at Chicago are English composition, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, general chemistry, organic chemistry or biochemistry, nutrition, lifespan human growth and development, psychology, sociology, history and elective courses. Students are typically required to maintain a "C" or better GPA, between 2.5 and 3.0.
Some nursing programs require applicants to submit to a drug test and criminal background check. Nursing programs include clinical practice during which students may treat ill, handicapped or disabled individuals, and may also have access to drugs and medication. Nursing schools need to make sure students are ethically and morally responsible.
To earn an associate or bachelor's degree in nursing, students must complete all assigned classroom and clinical coursework. Topics of study may include anatomy, physiology, microbiology, nutrition, medical-surgical nursing, pediatric nursing, child/parent nursing and psychiatric nursing.