[Nursing]

What career possibilities are there in nursing?

Nursing is an attractive option for students with a passion for patient care! Nurses, particularly registered nurses (RNs) are presently in high demand in most areas of the country, with employment opportunities expected to grow by 23% between 2006 and 2016. Registered nurses are a key component of health care at all levels, working in hospitals, physicians' offices, outpatient medical facilities, nursing facilities and in home health care. They work in concert with physicians in most medical specialties, including primary care, surgery, emergency care, radiology, public health and many other areas.

How do I prepare for a career in nursing?

Most nursing students complete a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) in order to become a registered nurse (RN). Some BSN programs accept students who have completed two or three years of pre-requisite college courses, while others now require a full four-year degree. After the BSN, a nurse can continue on to a master's degree (MSN) in order to become a Certified Nurse Practitioner. Accelerated BSN or MSN programs are available for students who already have a four-year college degree. Another option is a shorter program to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN); these are commonly offered at junior colleges and community colleges.

As a North Central student, you have three main options:

  1. Complete nursing pre-requisites in two years and transfer to a nursing school; after two additional years of study, you would receive a BSN. This is referred to as the "2+2" program.
  2. Complete nursing pre-requisites and the general education program in three years and transfer to a nursing school; after two additional years of study, you would receive a BA from North Central and a BSN from the nursing school. This is a "3+2" program.
  3. Complete a full four-year degree program at North Central and then complete a BSN program in 1-2 years at a nursing school.

Not all nursing of these options are available at all nursing schools. Some that previously accepted students after 2-3 years of college now require a bachelor's degree before starting the nursing program. Be sure to check the specific requirements of the nursing schools you are interested in.

What should I major in?

For a 2+2 program, you don't need to declare a North Central major, as your degree will be the BSN. Most 3+2 nursing students choose the science major, due to the difficulty of completing all of the biology or biochemistry degree requirements in four years. If you plan to complete a four-year program at North Central, biology and biochemistry are the most popular majors, though you could major in another area so long as you take the courses required for nursing school.

What courses should I take?

The courses listed below will meet the entrance requirements of a typical nursing school. Specific requirements vary, however, so be sure to find out what the schools you're interested in require early on. Our pre-medical advisors can help you find out about requirements and plan your program.

2+2 Program
Freshman year
Chemistry: CHM 141 and either 142 or 205
Biology: BIO 101 and 102
Anatomy and Physiology: BIO 147
Math: MTH 128 or 130
English: ENG 115 or 125 and either 196 or 245)
Psychology: PSY 100
Additional course in humanities or social sciences
Sophomore year
Organic chemistry: CHM 220, 221 and 222
Cell biology and genetics: BIO 200 or 260
Microbiology/Physiology: BIO 302 or 340
Biology elective: BIO 202 or 305 or 360 or 440
Statistics: PSY 250
Psychology: PSY 210
Social science: SOA 100 plus a social science elective
Additional courses in humanities or social sciences
3+2 Program
All of the courses listed above (but can be spread over 3 years)
General education requirements and foreign language
Additional recommended courses:
Cell and molecular biology and genetics: BIO 200, 260, 360
Microbiology, immunology, virology: BIO 340, 440
Animal biology: BIO 202, 302, 305
Psychology: PSY 325
Four-year Program
Degree in biology or biochemistry including the recommendations above

How do I get into nursing school?

The courses listed above meet the entrance requirements for a typical nursing program, though you should carefully check the specific requirements and recommendations for the schools you are interested in. Nursing schools typically require a minimum GPA of 2.5 overall and in science courses, and for a 3+2 or 2+2 program, most will give transfer credit only for courses with grades of "C" or higher.

What resources does North Central have to help me?

North Central's pre-health committee includes pre-health advisors who assist students in selecting courses, planning schedules and completing the transfer process. Another major source of support is PHO, the student Pre-Health Organization. PHO activities include visiting medical facilities, shadowing medical professionals, coordinating internships and volunteer opportunities, and inviting speakers from the health professions.

Where can I get more information?

Below are some helpful links to get you started. Don't forget to keep in close touch with your academic advisor and the pre-health advisors as you plan your nursing career!