The American Nursing Association states nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations. Nurses assist patients with managing and coping with their illness. They are advocates for their patients and educate them on disease prevention and health promotion. There are many areas of nursing, such as in advanced practice and research nursing, where clinical decisions are made for patients without a physician.
Explore
Discover whether a nursing career matches your interests, skills and abilities and meets your lifestyle expectations.
- Read the Who, What, Why and How of Nursing on DiscoverNursing
- Explore Advanced Practice nursing (Nurse Practitioner, etc.) at the American Nursing Association (ANA) website
- How to Become a Nurse: Programs and Careers
- Learn more about Careers in Nursing
- Read about the Scope of Practice for Nurse Practitioners
- Explore the many links For Future Nurses on the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) website
- Direct-Entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree
- There are over 90 Clinical Specialities in Nursing
Prepare
Confirm your interest in nursing, prepare academically, and develop the necessary skills and experience.
Academic Prerequisites
This is a general guideline. Please check individual schools for their specific prerequisites as required courses vary between the different institutions across the United States.
- One year of biology
- One year of general chemistry
- One year of organic chemistry (FAQ)
- One year of anatomy and physiology
- One Anatomy Course with Lab
- One Human Physiology Course with Lab
- Alternatively some community colleges teach Anatomy and Physiology combined
- One Public Speaking/Oral Communication Course
- Written Communication or English Composition
- Critical Thinking
- Microbiology
- Statistics
Recommended Courses (varied by school)
- Social/Behavioral Science course
- Nutrition course
- Medical Terminology
- Medical Spanish or Spanish
Experience
- Conduct an informational interview, shadow, or volunteer with a nurse. Find nurses through your network of family and friends, and professional associations.
- Join Student Organizations
- Please visit UCSD's Center for Student Involvement for a list of pre-health student organizations.
Apply
Identify programs that match your skills and interests and complete an application. Some steps take more time to complete than others, so plan ahead! Apply to nursing school at least six to eight months before you want to start the program. Keep in mind not all program applications occur during the same time of year. Many programs may take cohorts more than once a year. You will want to look into schools early in the process so you can apply early to the programs that best fit your needs. When looking at programs, it is important to note the state where you complete your licensure determines the state(s) you can immediately practice in once you pass your boards exam.
Schools & Programs
- See the list of California Nursing Programs
Tests
Depending on the type of program, you may be required to take an exam before or during your application process.
- GRE: Graduate Record Exam
- TEAS: Test of Essential Academic Skills
- HESI: Health Education Systems Incorporated Admission Assessment
Applications
- NursingCAS: the application service that compiles your transcripts, letters, essay, and activities
- NursingCAS application cycle dates: deadlines vary so verify dates with each school and program
- NursingCAS Fee Assistance Program
Personal Essay
Prompts vary from school to school, but generally ask yourself: What experiences have I had that are compelling me to pursue the nursing profession?
- Provide evidence and examples
- Character count varies from school to school
- Some programs may ask for supplemental essays
Gaining Experience
For any successful pre-health path, you will need to demonstrate you have experience. This includes service/volunteering, leadership, research, and/or other experiential learning opportunities.