Nursing School Requirements

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The United States of America is facing acute shortages of nurses and most of the facilities in all states of America are reeling under short supply of nurses and nurse educators. But, this does not men that attending any nursing classes or working in a health care facility can land you the job of nursing, because there are few Nursing School Requirements that has to be completed to bag the nursing jobs or to pursue higher education for advance degrees.


The basic requirement of a nursing school is that, you must be a licensed nurse by completing a degree program at entry level, associate’s or, bachelor’s and master’s degree level.

There are various other Nursing School Requirements that must be completed before a student is enrolled in a specify program or in a school, attend the classes and clinical experience, and sit for the NCLEX or relevant specialty exams for respective diploma or degree, graduation or post graduation.

Though, different nursing schools have different requirements from enrolling in a school to completing the programs, but certain prerequisites are common in all schools and they include:

Nursing School Requirements for Admission

  • Official High School and/or College Transcript(s)
  • High School Chemistry or College Chemistry Course. (Biology and Algebra recommended)
  • Required SAT score
  • High School Diploma or Graduate Equivalency Diploma
  • Satisfactory achievement on the NLN Pre-Nursing Examination
  • Satisfactory personal interview
  • Two (2) letters of reference
  • Criminal Background Check
  • Completion of courses, such as Anatomy and Physiology, Sociology and English composition
  • Attend Accredited Nursing Schools and programs
  • Approval from respective state Board of Nursing
  • Pass Pre Admission Exam including Pass Registered Nurse Entrance Exam, Nursing Entrance Test, Psychological Services Bureau, Critical Thinking Entrance Exam and Test of Essential Academic Skills.
  • Schools may require a drug screening and background check.


Further school enrollment prerequisites include:

  • Applicants complete and pass a substance abuse test.
  • Applicants undergo immunizations tests.
  • Submit a copy of their high school Diploma/GED.
  • Provide verification of current health care insurance.
  • Submit a current CPR for Health Care Providers certification by the American Heart Association.
  • Attend scheduled student success orientation prior to starting classes (not applicable  to Certified Nurse Assistant, Phlebotomy, Preoperative, or Online and/or Seminar courses)
  • Prior to starting classes International F1 Visa students must clear with the International Advisor
  • Before starting classes VA qualified students must clear with the VA/Financial Aid Advisor before starting classes.

The next step requires applicants to attend different degrees, diplomas and certificates, which include, Associate’s Degree in Nursing, BSN, MSN, Masters, Doctoral, Specialty and PhD.
Then, comes the course works for different degrees, though subjects that have to be learned are different for various degrees. The school also must have arrangement with different health care facilities for offering internships and clinical hands-on experience.


Different course work may include:

  • Pharmacology
  • Mental health nursing
  • Human development
  • Health assessment
  • Psychology
  • Nursing practices
  • Additional subjects

High school coursework includes, English, algebra, geometry, chemistry and biology

The school and program that are offered to students must also have to be accredited through national and federal authorities, such as by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing.

The nursing school must offer Financial Aid provisions, in accordance with rules, regulations, and financial aid policies as set forth by the U.S. Department of Education (Federal). The school must also offer deserving students, financial assistances, scholarships, grants, loans, tuitions fee reimbursements.


The school must also provide day, evening and online classes, so that students and working professionals can attend classes at their own convenience.

Continuing education may be required by some states to maintain licensure or for higher education for advanced degrees.