Overview:
Registered Nurses (RNs) play a central role in promoting health, preventing disease, and supporting patients as they cope with illness. They serve as advocates and educators for patients, families, and communities, and in clinical settings they assess and document patient conditions, monitor progress, assist physicians during procedures, administer medications, and support recovery and rehabilitation.
There are several types of nurses, including LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurses), RNs (Registered Nurses), and NPs (Nurse Practitioners).
- LPNs provide basic nursing care under the supervision of RNs or physicians. LPN programs are offered at many community colleges and typically take two years to complete, including prerequisites.
- RNs have a larger scope of practice than LPNs. RNs must pass the NCLEX licensing exam after graduating from an accredited nursing program at the associate, bachelor’s (BSN), or master’s (MSN) level.
- NPs are advanced practice registered nurses who have graduate-level education and can diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, and provide primary or specialty care, depending on state laws.
Nurses may pursue specialty areas through additional training, certifications, or graduate education, but students do not need to choose a nursing specialty before entering a nursing program.
Students who have already enrolled at CSU and are interested in entering the field of nursing have three options:
1. Complete nursing prerequisites at CSU and then apply to nursing programs at BSN-granting institutions.
2. Earn a non-nursing bachelor’s degree while completing nursing pre-requisites and then pursue an accelerated BSN program after graduation.
The B.S. programs in Health and Exercise Science, Human Development and Family Studies, and Nutrition Science offer a Pre-Nursing Concentration (beginning Fall 2026) that includes these prerequisites as part of the curriculum.
3. Declare a major in Health and Exercise Science, Human Development and Family Studies, and Nutrition Science and select the Pre-Nursing Concentration (beginning Fall 2026), and then apply for the 3+2 Direct Entry Nursing Program at Fort Collins, offered by CSU Pueblo’s School of Nursing. Accepted students will switch to the nursing concentration and complete their B.S. from CSU and a M.S. in Nursing from CSU Pueblo in five years, all in Fort Collins.
For additional information about this career path, check out: https://explorehealthcareers.org/careers/nursing/registered-nurse/
Explore:
What major should I choose? When preparing for a career as a nurse, prerequisite requirements can vary between programs. Most science-based majors will cover many of the common prerequisites needed for nursing programs.
When choosing a major, we recommend selecting one you’re genuinely interested in. Students who do so often earn higher GPAs, which is an important factor when applying to graduate and professional programs.
CSU offers three majors with pre-nursing concentrations that covers most nursing school prerequisites: https://www.chhs.colostate.edu/academics/pre-nursing-pathways/
How do you find accredited nursing programs? You can find other nursing programs using this Program directory. When selecting programs students are encouraged to research programs based on factors such as admission requirements, prerequisite coursework, healthcare experience requirements, location, cost, program length, and overall fit.
Prepare:
Recommended Coursework:
*These courses are intended as general prerequisite guidelines and may not include all requirements. Students are responsible for reviewing the specific prerequisite coursework and course equivalencies required by each nursing program they are considering.
CSU Recommended Courses
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General Biology (1 semester w/lab) | LIFE 102 |
General Chemistry (1-2 semesters w/ labs) | CHEM 111/112 and CHEM 113/114 |
Microbiology (1 semester) | LIFE 205/206 or MIP 300/302
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Human Anatomy (1 semester) | BMS 301 |
Physiology- lab recommended (1 semester) | BMS 300/302 or HES 300 |
Pathophysiology (1 semester) | BMS 460 or HES 310 |
General Psychology (1 semester) | PSY 100 |
Lifespan Development (1 semester) | HDFS 101 |
Human Nutrition (1 semester) | FSHN 150 |
Statistics (1 semester) | STAT 201 or STAT 301 or STAT 307 |
Highly recommended courses (organic chemistry, biochemistry, and medical terminology) | CHEM245/246 or CHEM 341, 343/344, BC 351, OT 215 |
How to create a competitive application
Building a competitive nursing school application involves more than meeting minimum admission requirements. Successful applicants often demonstrate strong academic performance, gain meaningful patient care experience, shadow, participate in research or leadership activities, and develop a clear understanding of why they want to pursue the nursing profession. Focus on gaining experiences that align with your interests while learning about the expectations and requirements of the programs you plan to apply to.
Healthcare/Clinical Experience:
While healthcare experience is not always an admission requirement, applicants are encouraged to have a general understanding of the responsibilities and expectations of a nursing career. Many students opt to gain a CNA (Certified Nurse Aide) certificate or other healthcare positions during their undergraduate studies.
Undergraduate research:
While not required for admission, it is highly recommended that students participate in research. For more information about undergraduate research at CSU, visit the Office for Undergraduate Research & Artistry page.
Shadowing:
Shadowing is generally not required for admission to nursing programs, but it can provide insight into the nursing profession and help students confirm their interest in pursuing nursing as a career.
Volunteering and Extracurricular Activities:
While there are no specific requirements for volunteer and extracurricular activities, it is highly encouraged that students gain other experiences that improve transferable skills/career competencies and create a more competitive application.
Apply:
Possible Entrance Exams:
Some traditional BSN programs require standardized tests known as the HESI A2 examination or TEAS examination.
Letters of Recommendation/References:
- Most nursing programs require three references, typically a mix of academic and professional.
- Program requirements vary, so be sure to verify each program’s requirements before applying.
Application Service:
For some nursing programs, students will need to apply directly to the institution. However, many nursing programs utilize the NursingCAS application service.
Need help with the application? Check out the NursingCAS help center.
Personal Statements/Statements of Purpose:
Some nursing programs require a statement as part of the application. Others may have you complete a series of short essays. In these essays, you can highlight relevant experiences and demonstrate an understanding of the profession. Because it is an important component of the holistic review process, students should take time to reflect on their clinical experiences, academic journey, and long-term career goals when crafting their essays. Check out our website for personal statement resources.
Resources:
Timeline: This timeline may not apply to every student and can vary depending on transfer credits, academic preparation, and other individual circumstances.
Freshman and Sophomore year: |
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Junior year: |
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Senior Year: |
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FAQ
Are AP credits allowed?
Many nursing schools accept AP credit. Be sure to look at each of your programs’ AP credit policies before utilizing them to meet nursing program requirements.
How many nursing schools should I apply to?
Many students apply to 3-5 nursing schools. It is highly dependent upon financial aspects, competitiveness of your application, and preferred program location.
How do I find shadowing experience or clinical/patient care opportunities?
Students often find shadowing and clinical experiences by contacting local hospitals, clinics, private practices, and healthcare organizations, or by networking through personal contacts and career fairs. Many students pursue hands-on experiences working as a CNA, home health aide, or other support roles.
Do prerequisites expire?
Many programs require prerequisites to be completed within the last 10 years.
What GPA is competitive for nursing programs?
Most nursing programs have a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0. GPAs can vary depending on the competitiveness of your programs. Generally, students should aim for GPAs between 3.0-3.5 or higher.
Do online classes and community college courses count?
Policies vary; some nursing programs require in-person labs, and community college courses are generally accepted.
How do I track or log my experiences?
We recommend keeping a document or spreadsheet that includes the location, contact information, dates of your experience, total hours completed, and a brief description of what you observed or participated in.