Pre-Health Advising: Nursing (RN, NP) Preparation

did you know?
  • The University of Oregon does not have a Nursing Program, this page outlines a path for UO pre-nursing student to prepare to apply to programs at another institution.
  • Among many different educational paths to nursing, these are four common degree options:
    • Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)
    • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
    • Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)
    • Direct Entry Masters (MSN) or Direct Entry Doctorate (DNP)
  • In Oregon, students can earn a BSN from OHSU through a program called OCNE (Oregon Consortium of Nursing Education), which is offered at 15 different community colleges in the state.
  • Students interested in pursuing a career as a nurse practitioner should research the changing certification for this field.
  • Click here to watch the Pre-Nursing Basics Workshop. We highly recommend you watch this before meeting with a pre-health advisor for the first time!
 

ASN

BSN

ACCELERATED BSN

DIRECT ENTRY MSN OR DNP

PROGRAM LENGTH

2-year program

4-year program

12-18 month program after earning a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing major

2-4 year program after earning a bachelor’s degree in a non- nursing major

WHERE

Community College

College/University

College/University

College/University

HOW

Transfer or graduate from UO and apply

Transfer or graduate from UO and apply

Graduate from UO and apply

Graduate from UO and apply

LEVEL OF NURSING

Prepares students to take the licensure exam to become a registered nurse (RN)

Prepares students to take the licensure exam to become a registered nurse (RN)

Prepares students to take the licensure exam to become a registered nurse (RN)

Prepares students to take the both the RN licensure exam and advanced level certifications (e.g. family NP, emergency NP, etc.)

BENEFITS

Can later pursue a BSN

Location benefit for students who are unable to move

Lowest tuition rates

Provides additional preparation and training for clinical jobs that include more responsibility and room for advancement (management, leadership, etc.)

Shorter route to a BSN for students who are either close to graduation at UO or are not interested in transferring

Provides additional preparation and advanced training needed to become an expert in a defined area

Additional certification may be required in some specialty areas

Nursing School Application Preparation
  • Nursing school prerequisites, application deadlines, and components vary, so researching each program is important. 
  • Direct entry masters/doctorate programs may require health-related experience and the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). 
  • Some nursing programs may require Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification prior to matriculating. 
  • While admission may be holistic, GPA is a significant factor in nursing school admission.
Common Requirements: 
Anatomy and Physiology (1 year) 
Microbiology with Lab (1 quarter) 
Nutrition (1 quarter) 
Statistics (1 quarter) 
Developmental Psychology/Lifespan Development (1 quarter)
English Composition (2 quarters) 
Public Speaking/Communications (1 quarter)
Common Requirements at Lane Community College: 
PSY 215: Lifespan Development 
FN 225: Nutrition 
BI 231: Anatomy and Physiology I (prerequisite: BI 112 or equivalent) 
BI 232-233: Anatomy and Physiology II & III
BI 234: Introductory Microbiology 
 

Nursing programs accept prerequisites from University or Community College. Meet with a pre-health advisor to discuss dual enrollment. 

Sample 3-Year Plan

The chart below illustrates one way a nursing program’s pre-requisites can fit into a 4-year plan. Keep in mind a graduation plan is as unique as the student following it. Math placement, major, transfer credits, application timeline, and other factors will help shape your graduation plan and timeline. Pre-Health Advisors are here to help you create a graduation plan that works best for you!

 

Fall

Winter

Spring

 

CH 221: General Chemistry I

CH 222: General Chemistry IIii

CH 223: General Chemistry IIIii

YEAR ONE

MATH 112Z: Pre-Calculus IIiiii 

STAT 243Z:  Elementary Statistics

HPHY 105: Nutrition

 

WR 121: College Composition 

WR 122: College Composition II 

 
 

Fall

Winter

Spring

 

BI 211: General Biology I - Cellsi

BI 212: General Biology II - Organismsii

BI 214:  Gen Bio IV - Biochem

YEAR TWO

HPHY 211: Medical Terminologyii

HPHY 212: Sci Inv Physiology ii

PSY 308: Developmental PSY

  

PSY 202: Mind & Society (SS)iii

ENG 200: Public Speaking i

 

Fall

Winter

Spring

 

HPHY 321: Anatomy I

HPHY 323: Anatomy II

HPHY 325: Anatomy and Physiology III

YEAR THREE

HPHY 322: Physiology I

HPHY 324: Physiology II

BI 330: Microbiology

   

BI 331: Microbiology Lab

i Prerequisites vary by school. While some programs require this course, others may not. Research individual programs to determine whether you would like to add this to your graduation plan. 

ii These courses are prerequisites for UO’s anatomy & physiology sequence. They are not typically prerequisites for nursing school.

iii This course is a prerequsite for UO's Developmental Psycholgoy course. It is not typically required for nursing school. 

iiii This course is not required by nursing programs. It is a co-requisite/prerequisite for general chemistry I at UO. 


Questions? Email pre-health advisors at prehealthadvising@uoregon.edu.