Prerequisites for Online RN Programs: Info for Aspiring Students

Caring for sick and injured individuals requires a strong set of technical, interpersonal and medical skills. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that registered nurses (RNs) may be urgently needed in upcoming years due to nationwide staffing shortages as well as an increasing elderly population. Prerequisite coursework for aspiring RNs may be completed online. Read on to learn more about how to get started in this field.

Becoming a Registered Nurse

To become an RN, individuals must first earn an associate's or bachelor's degree or a postsecondary diploma in the field. The American Nurses Association asserts that the most common option is the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) followed by the Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN). Upon acquiring a degree or diploma, programs graduates must pass the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) in order to ultimately gain the registered nurse credential.
However, many nursing degree programs require that applicants complete some prerequisite coursework before they can be admitted. According to a study published by the Research and Planning Group for California Community Colleges, prerequisites commonly include courses in English and math as well as science classes in biology, chemistry, microbiology, anatomy and physiology. The study also found that those who satisfied core prerequisites successfully completed nursing degree programs at higher rates than those who did not.

Fulfilling RN Degree Program Prerequisites Online

Taking nursing degree prerequisites online may mean that individuals can complete their studies more quickly once they enroll in an RN program. Distance education allows for scheduling flexibility, and enrollees are able complete their work from the comfort of home. There are a few options for completing prerequisites online.
One popular option is to enroll in individual online courses. Many institutions offer prerequisite nursing classes online, although they may not be listed as such. For example, completing any introductory anatomy class should suffice, even if it is not listed as a nursing prerequisite class. Some courses may ask for proof of high school graduation or its equivalent, while others have open enrollment to all who are interested. Prior to enrolling in prerequisite classes online, prospective students should verify that they can receive appropriate credit from the nursing degree or diploma program from which they hope to graduate.
In some degree programs, prerequisites are built into the curriculum but can be completed online before the student visits campus to enter the main component of the registered nursing training program. However, there are also dedicated pre-nursing programs on the Web. These typically cover all of the coursework needed to satisfy prerequisites, apart from a nursing degree program, but may be more costly or offer less scheduling flexibility than independent courses or taking prerequisites within a nursing program.
Although pathways to nursing differ for aspiring students, those who successfully complete online prerequisites, a nursing school program and the necessary steps to obtain licensure can land a successful career in a field that is high in demand in the U.S.

Career and Education Outlook for Aspiring Nurses

As of 2010, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects all healthcare occupations to expand, but predicts that nursing jobs will expand more than any other occupation. The BLS predicts that 581,500 job openings for RNs will result between 2008 and 2018. The median annual salary of registered nurses was $62,450 as of 2008.
Registered nurses currently form the largest segment of healthcare workers combined, but there may be a shortage in the near future that will further provide opportunities for aspiring nurses. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), factors contributing to a persistent shortage of nurses include low nursing school enrollment to keep up with demand; however, the American Organization of Nursing Executives reports increased nursing school enrollment as of 2010. In order to address the shortage and to court prospective nurses, national initiatives have included offering accelerated degree programs for those with a bachelor's degree in another field, as well as scholarships and federal loan forgiveness programs.