Nursing (BSN, MSN, DNP)

A Registered Nurse (RN) is a licensed healthcare professional who plays a vital role in promoting health, preventing illness, and caring for individuals across the lifespan—from newborns to older adults. The core responsibilities of a nurse are:

• Patient Care - Provide direct, hands-on care such as administering medications, changing dressings, and helping with hygiene or mobility
• Assessment & Monitoring - Observe patients, monitor vital signs, recognize changes in condition, and report or act on findings
• Care Coordination - Work with physicians, therapists, and other team members to ensure a holistic care plan
• Health Education - Teach patients and families about conditions, medications, lifestyle changes, wound care, etc.
• Documentation - Accurately record patient information in electronic health records (EHRs)
• Emotional Support - Offer compassion, comfort, and reassurance to patients and families during vulnerable times
• Advocacy - Speak up for the patient's best interests and ensure their rights and needs are respected

Nurses work in a wide range of settings:

• Hospitals (ER, ICU, Med-Surg, Labor & Delivery)
• Outpatient clinics
• Primary care and community health centers
• Long-term care or rehabilitation facilities
• Home health care
• Schools or universities
• Public health departments
• Military or correctional facilities

Nurses can specialize in many fields after gaining experience or further education:

• Acute Care - ER, ICU, trauma nursing
• Pediatrics - Children's hospitals, school nursing
• Obstetrics - Labor & delivery, postpartum, neonatal
• Mental Health - Psychiatric units, addiction recovery
• Surgical - Pre-op, OR, post-anesthesia care unit (PACU)
• Community Health - Public health nursing, outreach programs
• Oncology - Cancer care, chemotherapy infusion

With experience or graduate education, nurses can become:

• Nurse Practitioners (NPs) – provide advanced care and may prescribe meds
• Nurse Educators – teach in academic or hospital settings
• Nurse Managers – lead nursing teams or departments
• Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) – provide expert consultation
• Certified Nurse Midwives or Nurse Anesthetists – provide highly specialized care

To work as a nurse, you must:

1. Complete an approved nursing program (BSN, ADN, or diploma)
2. Pass the NCLEX-RN exam (National Council Licensure Examination)
3. Obtain state licensure through your state’s Board of Nursing

General Biology

General Chemistry

College Algebra or Statistics

English Composition

Anatomy & Physiology I & II

Microbiology

Nutrition (if required)

Psychology (Intro & Developmental)

Chemistry II (if required)

GPA is a major screening factor in nursing program admissions, especially for BSN and ABSN programs, which are highly competitive.

Overall GPA

3.4 – 3.8+, Highly competitive programs may expect 3.7+

Science GPA

3.3 – 3.7+, Includes Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry

Minimum GPA, 2.5 – 3.0 (varies). Many programs list a minimum but accept higher

ABSN Applicants

3.5+ recommended, because ABSN is fast-paced and intensive

Strong grades in prerequisites (especially Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, and Chemistry) can outweigh weaker general grades. An upward trend in GPA is favorable. Retaking a failed or low prerequisite course is common and often allowed; check program policy.

TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills)

• Most commonly required for BSN and ABSN programs

• Sections: Reading, Math, Science, English & Language Usa

• Score Range: 0–100%

• Competitive Score: 80%+ (some top programs expect 85%+)

• Offered by ATI Testing; usually proctored online or in testing centers

HESI A2 (Health Education Systems, Inc.)

• Required by some programs instead of TEAS

• Covers math, science, reading comprehension, grammar, and optional personality/learning styles

• Competitive Score: 85–90%+ overall

Other Tests

• Some programs may also require:

  • Basic computer skills test

  • Critical thinking or writing samples

  • Background check or drug screen as part of the admission process

Most traditional BSN programs do not require clinical hours, but many ABSN or entry-level MSN programs recommend or require healthcare experience such as: Healthcare Employment - CNA, EMT, MA, PCT, Scribe, 100–1000+ hours for ABSN, Volunteering - Hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, 50–200+ hours, Shadowing Nurses - Observe in clinics/hospitals, 10–50 hours.

Some ABSN and MSN programs view hands-on patient care as a key indicator of success.

• Science Instructor
  Academic ability in prerequisite courses
• Healthcare Supervisor
  Professionalism and clinical aptitude
• Volunteer Coordinator
  Compassion, dependability, teamwork

Usually 2–3 letters required. Make sure they are recent, detailed, and personal

This is your chance to: Explain why you want to be a nurse, describe experiences that prepared you, and connect your personal story to the mission of nursing. Remember to be specific, authentic, and reflective. Avoid generic phrases like "I want to help people" and tailor your statement to each program if submitting multiple.

Other Admission Factors to consider are:

• Interview
  Some programs require in-person or virtual interviews (behavioral + values-based)
• Prerequisite Completion
  Must have a C or higher in key courses (A&P, Microbio, etc.)
• Cultural Competence / Bilingualism
  Valued in programs serving diverse or underserved populations
• Leadership or Extracurriculars
  Demonstrates time management and community involvement