For Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs:
- High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED): Most ADN programs require applicants to have completed high school or obtained a GED.
- Prerequisites: Typically, ADN programs have prerequisite courses such as biology, chemistry, math, English, and social sciences. The exact prerequisites may vary from one institution to another.
- Admission Tests: Some ADN programs may require applicants to take standardized admission tests like the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) or the Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) Admission Assessment.
- GPA and Credits: Programs usually have a minimum GPA requirement, and applicants should have completed the necessary number of credits in prerequisite courses.
For Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs:
- High School Diploma or GED: BSN programs require applicants to have a high school diploma or GED.
- Prerequisites: Similar to ADN programs, BSN programs have prerequisites such as biology, chemistry, math, English, and social sciences. Additionally, some BSN programs may require psychology, anatomy, and physiology courses.
- GPA and Credits: BSN programs typically have higher GPA requirements than ADN programs and may also have a minimum number of completed credits in general education courses.
- Admission Tests: Some BSN programs may require standardized admission tests like the SAT or ACT, or a BSN-specific admission exam.
It's worth noting that nursing programs at different institutions can have additional requirements, such as volunteer experience in a healthcare setting, participation in extracurricular activities, and a personal statement or interview.
Nurses assistant certification (CNA) is not typically a requirement for admission to nursing programs, though it can be beneficial to have experience in direct patient care. However, some nursing schools may offer programs specifically designed for CNAs to transition to nursing roles. In such cases, being a CNA may serve as an admission pathway.
If you're interested in a specific nursing program, I recommend checking with the institution directly to understand their admission requirements and any prerequisites or qualifications they might have.