"hard science" requirements for RN's

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Did getting into nursing school, ADN, or BSN, require you to have taken college level "hard" sciences? Which ones?

Microbiology, anatomy, physiology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, etc.,?

Specializes in Pedi.

"Getting in" to nursing school required that I had graduated from high school and scored well on my SATs. I entered nursing school (college) directly out of high school and anything that could otherwise be considered a pre-req was built into the program. The nursing school at my university had 4 core science courses- A&P I & II, Chemistry and Microbiology. Pathophysiology was considered a nursing course/not a science course meaning that it was taught by faculty in the nursing department as opposed to the science department. In high school I took Biology, Chemistry, A&P, Physics and AP Biology but my nursing program had no basic biology or physics requirements. As far as math goes, I last took a math class my senior year of high school. I took 2 years of AP Calculus in high school and tested out of any math core requirement in college with my AP test scores.

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Specializes in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgical.

Hmm...I had to take bio, 2 semesters of chemistry, pre-calc, A & P I and II, before my nursing courses for my BSN. My school seemed to have a random method of what credits they would and would not accept (they took micro and statistics, but refused to sub in any of my higher level microbiology and biochemistry courses from my first Bachelor's for my science courses).

You should have seen the look on my pre-calc professor's face when I could not remember the formula for a problem, and broke out some calculus to solve it. She was not amused in the least.

But yes, hard sciences are necessary for understanding anatomy and drug interactions and metabolism in the body, as well as acid-base balance and drug calcs.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

My ADN required one semester of general chemistry with lab (General Chemistry 101), micro bio with lab, A&P I & A&P II with labs, and pathophysology. For math either two semesters of algebra or higher, one semester could be high school so only one semester of college math if you did it in high school or passing a math challenge exam (what I did). We go a little bit of statistics, much less than a whole class worth, as part of nurse research class.

RN to BSN - zero additional scince required, they did require either statistics, or passing of a stastistic challenge exam (what I did).

IMO nursing students would be much better off spending all that time at the bedside under the supervision of a competent preceptor than taking all those hard science classes. Maybe if we did that our nursing graduats would not be so helpless.

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I would rather take A&P, microbiology, advanced patho, ANYTHING, while having my fingernails and toenails ripped off if that meant that I never had to take a chemistry class ever again! 18 years after barely scraping by with a B in high school chemistry, I panic at the thought of anymore! Avogadro is NOT my friend, and moles make me want to vomit!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

I already had a BA when I went for my RN at a community college. I'd already had chemistry for non-majors and physics for non-majors. I had to take biology w/lab, 2 semesters of anatomy w/lab, and microbiology w/lab. I also took chemistry for healthcare, which had a lab.

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To get into my ADN program: A&P 1 and 2, Chemistry, Algebra 1 and 2, Microbiology

To complete my BSN: Statistics and Biochemistry

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I would rather take A&P, microbiology, advanced patho, ANYTHING, while having my fingernails and toenails ripped off if that meant that I never had to take a chemistry class ever again! 18 years after barely scraping by with a B in high school chemistry, I panic at the thought of anymore! Avogadro is NOT my friend, and moles make me want to vomit!

I felt the exact same way. I dropped out of AP Chem in high school and did not need it for my BA. When I was thinking about nursing school decades later, I decided to take the bull by the horn and enroll in Chemistry. I figured, if I didn't pass it, I was not meant to be nursing school. I not only passed, I got an A! I found out that decades of life experience and maturity helped with my study skills, time management, and understanding of things.You might be surprised to do better than you think. After all, we are not in high school anymore.

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That's great news, especially for people who are interested in critical care and Peds; I do math every say for safe dosing; we are the last line of defense, the MOST we can do, besides provide competent nursing care, is to be able to do basic math and understand formulas such as dimensional analysis to check dosing. :yes:

Dimensional analysis is what saved my hind end when I had to take Chemistry again. I use it almost every day as a Peds nurse.

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In my case (not ADN/BSN; VN) they had a stripped-down version of A&P, plus an intro math class for dimensional analysis. For ADN at the same school, you get the 180-proof A&P I and II (Anatomy and Physiology as separate classes) plus Microbiology w/Lab and some Basic Chemistry for some local color and flavor. Had to have at least intermediate algebra (prereq. for Chemistry), and developmental psych. No statistics requirement, surprisingly; while it's listed on the course schedule, I've yet to see a statistics class even offered.

----- Dave

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Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.

For LPN: 4 semester credits of Microbiology with a Lab. 4 semester Credits of Anatomy with a Lab. 4 semester Credits of Physiology with a Lab.

For ADN: Algebra I & II

After graduating with my ADN, I took a 3 credit hour statistics class for health care professionals.

Years later, I went straight for my MSN.

I never had to take Chemistry. Yes, folks, it can be done.

I am an CVICU, Level II Trauma nurse with a CCRN and really don't see how Chemistry is going to help me now, lol.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

I think the people who require nursing students to complete a bunch of hard science classes, I mean beyond a basic under standing of chemistry, and real A&P and micro classes, really have no idea what nurses actually do.

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I think the people who require nursing students to complete a bunch of hard science classes, I mean beyond a basic under standing of chemistry, and real A&P and micro classes, really have no idea what nurses actually do.

I assure you that the nurses running my diploma program had a complete, full understanding of "what nurses actually do."

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