Nursing Degree Requirements from A-Z

A nursing degree program is highly specialized, very different from other educational programs and admittance to the program can be very competitive. Like many degree programs there are requirements to enter the program as well as stay in the program. Many of the basic requirements are simple; a student must be 18 years of age or older, posses a high school diploma or the equivalent of, have no criminal background and be drug-free. The next nursing degree requirements are more specific. Here are a few you should be prepared for:

• TABE: To test your English, math and aptitudes skill most nursing schools will require you take the TABE examination which stands for Test of Adult Basic Education. Although there is really no pass/fail grading system for the test, your score can determine your eligibility for many programs.

• NET: To be sure prospective nursing students have the skills and aptitudes necessary to earn a Nursing Degree, many nursing programs require students to pass the Nurse Entrance Test (NET). The NET is a computer based test consisting of seven subjects and all questions are multiple choice. The different parts of the NET are Reading Comprehension Skills, Reading Rate, and Essential Math Skills, Test Taking Skills, Skill Level Profile, Social Interactions Profile, and Learning Styles Inventory. Every school that uses the test will have a minimum acceptable score for the NET test. Admission: Access to a nursing program often involves selective programs that might also consider performance in specific coursework such as anatomy and physiology, and previous healthcare work experience. Course prerequisites may vary, but continuing with the nursing degree program will typically include anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, algebra, English and psychology.

• Scoring: Grades are also a factor for certification to be an LPN and continuance for licensing as a RN. Most schools require a minimum of a 2.0 grade average to enter a nursing program and nursing schools have a higher requirement in order to stay in the programs.

Other requirements come with the pursuit of a higher degree in nursing. All states require nurses to obtain a license and this is necessary if you are seeking to climb the ladder of a nursing career. A nurse will only become a registered nurse upon passing the NCLEX-RN or the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. Nurses will be required to pursue further graduate degree programs to become clinical nurse specialists or nurse practitioners. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the requirement to continue on to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a PhD in nursing, also known as a Doctoral Degree.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center offers certification for nurse practitioners, clinical nursing specialists and other forms of advanced practice, including forensic nursing and public health nursing. Continuing education is a necessary requirement for licensure and certification.

The large need for health care workers has resulted in a huge support system to help you meet nursing degree requirements and succeed in your nursing career no matter what your choice of a career path may be.