Nursing is a dynamic, patient-centered health profession focused on the assessment, treatment, education, and advocacy of individuals, families, and communities. Registered Nurses (RNs) play a central role in healthcare delivery, working collaboratively with physicians, physician assistants, and other health professionals while often serving as the primary point of patient contact. Nurses practice in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, public health organizations, research institutions, and community agencies, and can specialize in areas such as pediatrics, critical care, mental health, oncology, or public health. For RPI graduates who already hold a bachelor’s degree, nursing offers multiple accelerated and graduate-entry pathways that allow students to transition into the profession while building on their existing academic foundation:
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- A fast-paced, full-time undergraduate program (often 11–18 months) leading to an RN license.
- Direct-Entry / Master’s Entry Nursing Programs (MSN)
- Designed for those who already hold a bachelor’s degree. Students earn RN eligibility first (12-18 months) and then complete graduate-level nursing training (12-24 months).
Content Areas | RPI Courses |
|---|---|
Human Anatomy & Physiology w/Lab (2 semesters) | Cross-Registration with other colleges and universities |
Microbiology w/Lab (1 semester) |
|
Chemistry (1 Semester) | CHEM 1110 or 1120 Chemistry I with Advanced Lab or Honors Chemistry I |
Statistics (1 semester) |
|
Introduction to Psychology (1 semester) |
|
Lifespan Development / Developmental Psychology (1 semester) | Available at other colleges and universities |
Nutrition (1 semester) | Available at other colleges and universities |
Many nursing programs allow applicants to apply with a limited number of non-science prerequisites in progress or outstanding, such as lifespan development or nutrition, provided they are completed before matriculation or early in the program. Core science prerequisites, particularly Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology with labs, are typically required prior to enrollment. This list is not exhaustive and many courses could satisfy these content areas. Be sure to verify the content area requirements for the specific schools you are interested in. You can find this information on their program websites as well as AACN’s Member Program Directory.
Applications to nursing programs, particularly Accelerated BSN and Direct-Entry MSN programs, are commonly submitted through NursingCAS, a centralized application platform used by many U.S. nursing schools, though some programs maintain institution-specific applications. Primary applications typically include applicant identifying information, official transcripts from all colleges attended, prerequisite coursework information, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement or statement of purpose. Many nursing programs strongly encourage or require healthcare-related experiences, such as patient care roles, volunteering, shadowing, or employment in clinical or community health settings. Entrance exam requirements vary by program and may include the TEAS or HESI A2 to assess academic readiness, while many accelerated and graduate-entry programs do not require an exam; a small number of MSN programs may accept or recommend the GRE. Following submission of the primary application, some schools require completion of supplemental applications, which may include short-answer responses or additional documentation, and selected applicants are typically invited to interview with nursing admissions committees.
