PrintNursing
- What is nursing?
- Educational requirements
- Other Nursing Pathways
- Professional School Programs for a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Associations and Contact Information
- Traditional Nursing 2+2 Prerequisites
- Fast Fact Sheet about Nursing
What is Nursing?
Nurses are advocates and health educators for patients, families, and communities. When providing direct patient care, they observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress; assist physicians during treatments and examinations; administer medications; and assist in convalescence and rehabilitation. For a more detailed description of nursing opportunities and median income in 2010 please see the Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm.
Other Nursing Resources:
Explore Health Careers: http://explorehealthcareers.org/
Discover Nursing: www.discovernursing.com/
Printable Pre-Nursing Prerequisite Sheet
Educational Requirements
The Traditional Baccalaureate degree program for a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a 2+2 program. Students complete 2 years of prerequisite courses at an accredited college or university and then apply for admission into a professional nursing school to complete 2 years of coursework that includes classroom, laboratory, and clinical education. Admission to professional schools is competitive and is not guaranteed by the University of Maryland (UM).
Printable Pre-Nursing Prerequisite Sheet
Other Nursing Pathways
- "Second Degree" or "Accelerated Second Degree Baccalaureate Program": Students who have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and completed the nursing school pre-requisites can apply to a second degree or accelerated second degree nursing program (earning a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing). This would be the student's second bachelor's degree.
- RN to BS or BSN Programs: Students who already have their RN (Registered Nurse) can obtain a BSN by completing 30-35 credits in a RN to BSN program offered by nursing schools.
Professional School Programs for a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN)
For a complete list of nursing programs in the United States please visit The American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Use their Nursing Programs Search database where you can search for nursing programs by type or by state or by both variables.
Associations and Contact Information
American Association of Colleges of Nursing * Phone (202) 463-6930 * Website: www.aacn.nche.edu
American Association of Nurse Practitioners * Phone (521) 442-4262 * Website: www.aanp.org
University of Maryalnd Baltimore, School of Nursing: Entry-Level BSN 2+2 Prerequisites
Nursing Prerequisites for the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB)
Web site: http://nursing.umaryland.edu/
School of Nursing:
410-706-0501 or 866-NURSE-UM
NOTE: University of Maryland College Park and the University of Maryland Baltimore, School of Nursing offer a dual admission program. This program guarantees admission to the UMB School of Nursing for eligible applicants upon successful completion of University of Maryland College Park's Pre-Nursing curriculum. Contact the Allied Health Advisor: Meredith Laurie (mlaurie@umd.edu) within the Health Professions Advising Office for more information.
NOTE: Pre-Nursing is not a degree-granting program at the University of Maryland College Park. Admission to professional schools is competitive and is not guaranteed by University of Maryland College Park. Admission requirements vary depending upon the institution and prerequisites are subject to change - contact programs for most current requirements.
