Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
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2023-2024

Pre-Nursing

College of Humanities and Sciences

 
Program description

Students interested in the pre-health major in nursing must complete the one-year program requirements for application to the Bachelor of Science degree program in nursing offered by the VCU School of Nursing. Once accepted, students will spend three years in the nursing degree program, which begins in the fall.


Because admission to the B.S. in Nursing is highly competitive, it is imperative that all pre-health students who intend to pursue a major in nursing work in tandem with their UAA pre-health major academic advisor to consider parallel majors that satisfy similar career outcomes.

Career opportunities

Registered nurses (RNs) care for patients, providing them with treatment, counseling and education. RNs work closely with a patient’s physicians and other health professionals as part of the healthcare team. Depending on their area of specialization and work setting, RNs perform some or all of the following:

  • develop and implement individualized plans for a patient’s care.
  • monitor and record patients’ needs and changing conditions.
  • administer prescribed medications and treatments.
  • educate individuals on self-care, including maintaining health and preventing illness/injury.   

With a Master's or Doctoral Degree, you could also become a Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife, or an Advanced Practice Nurse.

Change of major requirements

Current VCU students who wish to change their major to the pre-health major in nursing must meet the following criteria to be considered for the major:  Minimum GPA of 3.0. No more than 75 credits completed. Students who do not meet these requirements may see a pre-health adviser, but they will be referred for programming and not assigned to an adviser.


Bachelor-level job titles
  • Acute Care Nurse
  • Community Health Nurse/Public Health Nurse
  • Critical Care Nurse
  • Geriatric Nurse
  • Registered Nurse
  • School Nurse
Graduate and professional level job titles
  • Educator/Instructor
  • Healthcare Administrator
  • Public Health Specialist
  • Researcher
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Highest level of math required
  • STAT 208
Science required
  • 3-4 additional science courses
Foreign language requirements
  • No
Additional tuition/fees
  • Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 3.0
Department name:
University Academic Advising
Building/room location:
Hibbs Hall, First Floor
Phone:
(804) 827-8648
Email:
prehealthadv@vcu.edu
Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):
Monroe Park

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Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning for your first year, and to discuss tutoring, course electives, and degree progression.
  • Go to an Application Workshop with Pre-Health Advising to learn how to be a competitive candidate for your Nursing program application.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study.
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
  • Explore Career Pathways for Healthcare on Career Services’ website.
  • Build a LinkedIn profile with Career Services, connect to at least 10 people, and check out the VCU alumni page.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Go to your professors’ “Office Hours” to discuss research interests, picking classes in your major, and strategies for success in your degree program.
  • Explore and complete admission requirements for other Nursing programs throughout Virginia, and consider doing a degree completion or R.N. to B.S.N. program at VCU. 
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Volunteer in the community to address a social issue (ConnectVA & HandsOnRVA).   
  • Join a healthcare student organization, such as the Pre-Nursing Rams or HOSA.
  • Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for the New Leaders Retreat or Alternative Spring Break.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Conduct an informational interview or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Reflect on your involvement and what has been most meaningful to you in your first year.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Apply to the Nursing program by the March 1st deadline!
  • Make sure to complete all pre-requisites by the end of the year, with a minimum of 28 credits. Review the Bulletin for course requirements. If enrolled in BIOL 205, you must have a B or higher in Anatomy!
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Create and complete a community-engaged research project.
  • Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.
  • Apply for I-LEAD Connect, Alternative Spring Break, and other campus-wide leadership and service events through University Student Commons and Activities.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Consider taking Medical Microbiology at VCU (BIOL 209 & BIOZ 209) or the equivalent course at a community college over the Summer, if admitted or waitlisted to the School of Nursing.
  • Consider taking a foreign language to better communicate with a diverse group of patients.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Get to know other VCU students from all over the world at a monthly Global Café!
  • Review this sheet to identify activities that you haven’t tried yet and find ways to engage.
  • Consider applying for the Peace Corps.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2023-2024

Pre-Nursing

College of Humanities and Sciences

Concentration(s):
No concentration
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore 1st semester (By Nov. 1 Or April 1)
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning for your first year, and to discuss tutoring, course electives, and degree progression.
  • Go to an Application Workshop with Pre-Health Advising to learn how to be a competitive candidate for your Nursing program application.
  • Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study.
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
  • Explore Career Pathways for Healthcare on Career Services’ website.
  • Build a LinkedIn profile with Career Services, connect to at least 10 people, and check out the VCU alumni page.
Experience Remainder of 1st semester
  • Go to your professors’ “Office Hours” to discuss research interests, picking classes in your major, and strategies for success in your degree program.
  • Explore and complete admission requirements for other Nursing programs throughout Virginia, and consider doing a degree completion or R.N. to B.S.N. program at VCU. 
  • Volunteer in the community to address a social issue (ConnectVA & HandsOnRVA).   
  • Join a healthcare student organization, such as the Pre-Nursing Rams or HOSA.
  • Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for the New Leaders Retreat or Alternative Spring Break.
  • Conduct an informational interview or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Reflect on your involvement and what has been most meaningful to you in your first year.
2nd semester (By Feb. 1 or Sept. 1)
  • Apply to the Nursing program by the March 1st deadline!
  • Make sure to complete all pre-requisites by the end of the year, with a minimum of 28 credits. Review the Bulletin for course requirements. If enrolled in BIOL 205, you must have a B or higher in Anatomy!
  • Create and complete a community-engaged research project.
  • Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.
  • Apply for I-LEAD Connect, Alternative Spring Break, and other campus-wide leadership and service events through University Student Commons and Activities.
Experience Remainder of 2nd semester
  • Consider taking Medical Microbiology at VCU (BIOL 209 & BIOZ 209) or the equivalent course at a community college over the Summer, if admitted or waitlisted to the School of Nursing.
  • Consider taking a foreign language to better communicate with a diverse group of patients.
  • Get to know other VCU students from all over the world at a monthly Global Café!
  • Review this sheet to identify activities that you haven’t tried yet and find ways to engage.
  • Consider applying for the Peace Corps.