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 students 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 Master's (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.
  • Common majors pre-nursing students at UO pursue: Human Physiology or Multidisciplinary Science. For students taking prerequisites through Lane Community College, common majors include: Psychology, Family and Human Services, Sociology, Business, and Planning, Public Policy & Management.  
 

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) 
Requirements that vary:
Public Speaking/Communications *required by California and select out-of-state programs (1 quarter)
Biology (1 quarter)
Chemistry with lab (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 
 

NOTE: Because of the nature of UO's Anatomy & Physiology sequence, UO's Pre-Nursing Pathway is more science-intensive than what is required by Nursing Programs. Read more about this in the FAQ page. However, Nursing programs accept prerequisites from University or Community College. Meet with a Pre-Health advisor to discuss your pre-nursing plan and to learn more about UO's dual enrollment program with Lane Community College.

Sample 3-Year Plan

The chart below illustrates one way a nursing program’s prerequisites can fit into a 4-year plan. 

  • Keep in mind that 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. 
  • Following the "common requirements" list covers most of what nursing programs will require for admissions. It is vital that students explore programs to ensure their graduation plan captures all of the requirements they need for their programs of interest.
  • We highly recommend you watch the Pre-Nursing Basics Workshop before meeting with a pre-health advisor for the first time!
  • Work with a pre-health advisor to solidify your graduation plan! 

YEAR ONE

Fall

Winter

Spring

 

CH 221z: General Chemistry I

CH 222z: General Chemistry IIi

CH 223z: General Chemistry IIIi

 

MATH 112Z: Pre-Calculus IIiiii 

STAT 243Z:  Elementary Statistics

WR 122z: College Comp II 

 

WR 121z: College Composition 

 

 

YEAR TWO

Fall

Winter

Spring

 

BI 221z: General Biology I - Cells

BI 222z: General Biology II - Organismsi

BI 214:  Gen Bio IV - Biochemiii

 

HPHY 211: Medical Terminologyi

HPHY 212: Sci Inv Physiology i

PSY 308: Developmental PSY

 

HPHY 105: Nutrition

PSY 202z: Intro to PSY II (SS)ii

 

YEAR THREE

Fall

Winter

Spring

 

HPHY 321: Anatomy I

HPHY 323: Anatomy II

HPHY 325: Anatomy and Physiology III

 

HPHY 322: Physiology I

HPHY 324: Physiology II

BI 330: Microbiology

   

BI 331: Microbiology Lab

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

ii This course is the prerequisite for UO's Developmental Psychology course. It is not typically required for nursing school. 

iii This course is the prerequisite for UO's Microbiology lecture and lab. It is not typically required by nursing school. 

iii 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.