Everything You Need to Know About Pre-Nursing
Nursing is a helping profession rooted in service, compassion and the ability to care for others in meaningful ways. As the demand for healthcare continues to grow, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there are approximately 189,100 new nursing openings each year, creating strong opportunities for those called to the field.
A pre-nursing certificate serves as a meaningful first step for individuals who feel led to pursue a career in nursing or healthcare. This pathway to nursing is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of nursing through foundational coursework, while helping them build the knowledge and confidence needed to progress into a nursing program.
What is Pre-Nursing?
Pre-nursing is an academic pathway that prepares students for entry into a nursing degree program. This stage allows students to enter the world of nursing, to identify career goals and to understand what is required of nurses in a healthcare environment. Students often choose this path as a stepping stone toward a nursing or healthcare career.
What is a Pre-Nursing Certificate?
The purpose of a pre-nursing certificate is to provide students with a structured starting point as they explore a career in healthcare while building the knowledge and skills needed for future success. By completing these requirements early, students are better prepared to apply to associate or bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Additionally, the certificate can help students enter entry-level healthcare roles, allowing them to get hands-on experience and a better understanding of the field before committing to a full nursing degree.
Abilene Christian University offers a comprehensive online Pre-Nursing Certificate program that allows students to explore nursing at their own pace. The online program combines science and general education coursework to equip students with the skills and academic knowledge to enter an undergraduate nursing program. In addition to the coursework, this program also emphasizes the importance of a patient-care mindset, proper communication and the understanding of the healthcare system and how it works.
Required Courses For a Pre-Nursing Certificate
The primary focus for coursework within a pre-nursing program is to prepare students to enter a nursing program. The courses teach students the essentials of healthcare and introduce topics such as human anatomy and biology. Common courses included in pre-nursing certificate programs are:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Introductory Chemistry
- General Microbiology
- Developmental Psychology
- Introduction to Ethics
Students also complete general education courses, often referred to as core classes, including mathematics, composition and rhetoric, introduction to psychology and more.
ACU’s online Pre-Nursing Certificate program provides a flexible way for students to take the first step towards a nursing career. The curriculum incorporates the required classes needed to transfer into a nursing program anywhere in the state of Texas. Throughout the program, students will learn to identify and explain anatomical structures and learn how to use professional language.
Reasons To Choose a Pre-Nursing Program
A pre-nursing certificate can come with many benefits for students who are passionate about nursing but unsure what they want to do. Enrolling in a pre-nursing program can help students identify and plan their future career based on the content they learn.
Strengthens Application
Students will enroll in a pre-nursing certificate program to strengthen their application when applying for a nursing program. By completing the pre-requisite courses, it demonstrates academic readiness and commitment to universities. It also provides students with the opportunity to build a strong foundation and GPA, which can enhance academic profiles, especially if they have completed coursework in a different field.
Determine Career Fit
Another reason a student may enroll in a pre-nursing program is to explore nursing before committing to a full degree program. Students are exposed to the nursing field’s academic and practical demands, which can help them determine if they’re capable of handling all that being a nurse entails. The experience also introduces students to key concepts related to patient care, healthcare systems and clinical environments, helping them to better understand the day-to-day reality of being a nurse.
As they move forward through the pre-nursing programs, students will be able to reflect on their strengths, interests, and long-term career goals to see if they align with nursing or if they should pursue another healthcare-related profession.
Job Opportunities
Students don’t always have to enroll or apply to a nursing program upon completing their pre-nursing program. Pre-nursing certificate programs build foundational skills in students so that they can pursue entry-level healthcare jobs that support healthcare professionals.
These positions allow students to gain hands-on experience in clinical or healthcare settings, helping them build confidence and develop essential skills like communication, teamwork and patient interaction. In addition, having a pre-nursing certificate can make candidates more competitive when applying for these roles, as it shows a clear commitment to the healthcare field.
What Jobs Can You Get With a Pre-Nursing Certificate?
Earning a pre-nursing certificate can open the door to a variety of entry-level roles in the healthcare field while preparing students for their future careers. Although it is not the same as a nursing degree, students can apply their foundation knowledge and skills in clinical and support settings.
Medical Scribe
A medical scribe, also known as a medical transcriptionist, is someone who specializes in charting patient visits in real-time. They will document patients’ medical histories, physical exams, lab and diagnostic results. Medical scribes often work alongside physicians and doctors to allow them to focus on patient care.
On average, there are about 7,400 new job openings a year for medical scribes, and their median annual salary is $37,550.
Medical Assistant
A medical assistant works alongside physicians, healthcare providers and nurses with the responsibility of maintaining patient records, administering medication and preparing samples for testing. Medical assistants need to complete an approved program to work in most states.
There is a high demand for medical assistants, with the profession projected to grow by 12 percent in 2034. The average annual salary for a medical assistant is $44,200.
Home Health Aide
A home health aide works with patients in their homes, performing a variety of tasks to support their health and daily lives. They will care for and clean wounds, take medical and psychological assessments and educate their patients about any disease and medication. A home health aide may take care of grocery shopping, housekeeping, bathing and feeding.
Home health aides are another helping profession experiencing high demand, expected to grow by 17 percent, with over 760,000 new jobs a year. The median annual salary for a home health aide is $34,900.
Unit Secretary
Unit secretaries manage all non-clinical, daily operations for hospital units like emergency rooms, nursing units and more. They are the central communication hub for patients and will handle all documentation, including ordering supplies, to ensure an efficient workflow.
By 2034, there is a projected 9% job increase by 2029, with the average national salary at $29,996.
Phlebotomist
A phlebotomist works in a laboratory and takes blood samples from patients for donation, testing and transfusions. They will prepare patients for blood withdrawal, label and track blood samples and keep an inventory of blood draw supplies within the lab. In some cases, a phlebotomist will also have to help patients who have reactions when getting their blood drawn, such as a drop in heart rate or blood pressure, or even allergic reactions.
By 2034, phlebotomists will see a 6% increase in jobs, with over 18,000 new openings each year. The median national salary for a phlebotomist is currently $43,660.
Earn Your Pre-Nursing Certificate Online at ACU
For students looking for direction in pursuing a nursing career, a pre-nursing certificate is a good place to start. Not only will students have a basic understanding of the profession and its principles, but they will have a clear understanding of the healthcare system. Choosing this pathway can build students’ confidence as they gain clarity about their career goals.
For those who feel called to serve and care for others through nursing, Abilene Christian University’s online Pre-Nursing Certificate offers a fully online, Christ-centered way to begin your journey. The program includes foundation coursework and is structured for flexibility, so students can balance work and other responsibilities while building a strong academic foundation. In addition to preparing students for nursing school, the program highlights the importance of communication, leadership and patient care skills and how they play a pivotal role in success in a healthcare setting.
Explore how ACU can jumpstart your career in nursing with our online program by visiting our website.
FAQs About Pre-Nursing
What’s the difference between nursing and pre-nursing?
The main difference between nursing and pre-nursing is the level of preparation and practice. Pre-nursing is the entry-level pathway that prepares students to enter a nursing program. A Bachelor’s-level nursing degree, on the other hand, prepares students to become licensed healthcare professionals. Nursing programs include advanced coursework and clinical rotations that prepare students for the NCLEX exam to work in hospitals and clinics.
Is pre-nursing the same as LPN?
No, pre-nursing is not the same as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). An LPN is a healthcare professional who has completed their one-year nursing program and passed their NCLEX exam.
Is pre-nursing similar to a CNA?
No, pre-nursing programs strictly help students apply to nursing programs, while a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program gives students core patient care skills and usually takes one to three months to complete. Pre-nursing programs typically take one to two years to finish before students can begin working or apply for programs.
What major is best for pre-nursing?
There isn’t a “best” major for pre-nursing, because pre-nursing comes before an undergraduate degree program. The most effective program aligns with what students have learned in the pre-nursing program. Many students choose a healthcare-related program such as nursing, biology, healthcare administration or kinesiology.