Preparing for Nursing School

logo for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Colorado College is proud to partner with the
American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Please find information below on preparing for nursing school at Colorado College.

As designated by the associations: PAEA, APTA, AACN

Biology: 2 intro course requirement - translates to 3 courses at Colorado College:

  • Microbiology - 1 course - BE107 or MB320
  • Biology - Cell Biology - 2 courses - MB131 and MB201

Chemistry: 2-4 course requirement (depending on program)

  • General Chemistry - 2 courses - CH107 and CH108
  • Organic Chemistry - 2 courses - CH250 and CH251 (not required for PT schools)

Physics: 2-course requirement (PT schools only)

  • Physics - 2 courses - PC141 and PC142 (PT schools only)

Math: 2-course requirement

  • Statistics - 1 course - MA117
  • Calculus - 1 course - MA126 or MA129

Psychology: 1-2 course requirement (depending on program)

  • Psychology - 1-2 courses - PY100 or PY 105 (some schools require 2 courses for PT & Nursing)

Anatomy and Physiology: 2-course requirement

  • Basic Anatomy - 1 course - HK204
  • Human Physiology - 1 course - HK321

Courses Highly Recommended by PA, PT, and Nursing Schools

NOTE: Course Requirements vary for each program and profession. Please check the course listing on the school's website.

  • Biochemistry: 1 course: CH382 (**Nursing & PA)
  • Genetics: 1 course: MB231 (*Varies by school)

Information shared here taken from the AACN's Accelerated Nursing Programs page.

With an increasing emphasis on preparing nurses at the baccalaureate and higher degree level, one innovative approach to nursing education that is gaining momentum is the accelerated degree program for non-nursing graduates. These programs build on previous learning experiences and provide a way for individuals with undergraduate degrees in other disciplines to transition into nursing. 

Program Basics

Accelerated baccalaureate programs offer the quickest route to licensure as a registered nurse (RN) for adults who have already completed a bachelor's or graduate degree in a non-nursing discipline. 

Fast-track entry-level baccalaureate programs take between 11 and 18 months to complete, including prerequisites. Fast-track entry-level master's degree programs generally take about 3 years to complete. 

Accelerated entry-level nursing programs are available in 46 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In 2013, there were 293 accelerated entry-level baccalaureate programs and 62 entry-level master’s programs available at nursing schools nationwide. In addition, 13 new accelerated entry-level baccalaureate programs are in the planning stages, and 9 new entry-level master's programs are also taking shape.

Fast-Track Nursing Education

Accelerated entry-level baccalaureate programs accomplish programmatic objectives in a short time by building on previous learning experiences. Instruction is intense with courses offered full-time with no breaks between sessions. Students receive the same number of clinical hours as their counterparts in traditional entry-level nursing programs. 

Admission standards for accelerated entry-level programs are high with programs typically requiring a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and a thorough prescreening process. Identifying students who will flourish in this environment is a priority for administrators. Students enrolled in accelerated programs are encouraged NOT to work given the rigor associated with completing degree requirements. 

Accelerated entry-level baccalaureate and master's programs in nursing are appropriately geared to individuals who have already proven their ability to succeed at a senior college or university. Having already completed a bachelor's degree, many second-degree students are attracted to the fast-track master's program as the natural next step in their higher education.

Accelerated Entry-Level Program Graduates

The typical second-degree nursing student is motivated, older, and has higher academic expectations than traditional entry-level nursing students. Accelerated students excel in class and are eager to gain clinical experiences. Faculty find them to be excellent learners who are not afraid to challenge their instructors. 

Graduates of accelerated entry-level programs are prized by nurse employers who value the many layers of skill and education these graduates bring to the workplace. Employers report that these graduates are more mature, possess strong clinical skills, and are quick studies on the job. 

AACN's 2014 survey found that 16,935 students were enrolled in accelerated baccalaureate programs, which represents only a slight increase from 2013 when 16,921 students were enrolled. The number of program graduates has increased from 10,584 in 2013 to 11,080 in 2014 (up 4.7%). In entry-level master's nursing programs, 6,219 students were enrolled and 2,325 students graduated in 2014. By comparison, in 2013, there were 5,930 students enrolled and 2,162 graduates from these programs. 

Given their experience and level of educational achievement, many graduates of entry-level master's programs are being encouraged to pursue roles as nurse educators to help stem the growing shortage of nurse faculty.

Supporting Accelerated Entry-Level Programs

Financial aid for students enrolled in accelerated entry-level baccalaureate and master's programs in nursing is limited. Many practice settings are partnering with schools and offering tuition repayment to graduates as a mechanism to recruit highly qualified nurses. 

Hospitals, health care systems, and other practice settings are encouraged to form partnerships with schools offering accelerated entry-level programs to remove the student's financial burden in exchange for a steady stream of new nurse recruits. Nurse employers including Tenet Healthcare, Carondelet Health Network, University of Missouri Health Care, North Carolina Baptist Hospital, Duke University Health System, and many others are actively supporting the development and growth of accelerated entry-level baccalaureate programs in nursing.

Legislators on the state and federal levels are encouraged to increase scholarship and grant funding for these programs that produce entry-level nurses faster than any other basic nursing education program. These programs are ideal career transition vehicles for those segments of the labor force impacted by fluctuations in the economy. 

Information shared here taken from the AACN's NursingCAS Quick Start Guide. For more detailed information and FAQs, we encourage you to check out that page.

What is NursingCAS?

Nursing’s Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS) is an online application designed to simplify the nursing school admissions process by enabling students to apply to multiple programs with one, electronic application. NursingCAS is a service of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) that allows prospective students to discover and apply to associate degree, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs offered by participating nursing schools.

How long does the application process take?

It's important you apply as early as possible since completing your application can be a lengthy process, and since application processing times vary throughout the cycle. Below is a suggested timeline that includes key actions to keep the application process on track. This timeline may need to be adjusted based on your programs' deadlines and requirements.

Information on the NursingCAS Application cycle

Timeline

Key Actions

6 Weeks Before the Deadline

  1. Research programs you wish to apply to. Pay special attention to:
    • Cycle dates and deadline requirements.
    • Application fees.
    • Reference requirements.
    • Minimum requirements, including prerequisites, standardized test scores, supplemental applications, foreign evaluations, etc.
    • Transcript and coursework requirements.
  2. Begin contacting potential references to confirm their participation.
  3. Review all instructions in this Help Center.

5 Weeks Before the Deadline

  1. Create your account and begin adding programs.
  2. Complete the Colleges Attended section, and review each program's transcript requirements. Some programs may require that you send official transcripts to NursingCAS, some may require unofficial transcripts, and others might not require any transcripts.
  3. Review each program's Transcript Entry requirements. Some programs may require that you enter all of your coursework, some may require that you enter only prerequisite coursework, and others might not require that you enter any coursework.
  4. If required by your programs, request your references in the Program Materials section.
  5. If required by your programs, ask your schools to send official transcripts directly to NursingCAS (you may also need to request that transcripts be sent to you if a program requires that you enter your coursework). If there are any holds on your account at a school, resolve them now to avoid delays in sending transcripts.
  6. If applicable, begin entering coursework into your application.
  7. If you want to use the Professional Transcript Entry (PTE) service, sign up and submit your payment.

3 Weeks Before the Deadline

  1. Check in with your references to confirm that they received the reference request via email.
  2. If applicable for programs, send official test scores to NursingCAS.

2 Weeks Before the Deadline

  1. Submit your application.
  2. Review the verification process, if applicable.
  3. If you paid for PTE, monitor your emails for information on the review process and be sure to approve your coursework in a timely manner.
  4. Monitor your application for receipt of all required transcripts and letters of reference and follow up on any missing items.

1 Weeks Before the Deadline

Continue monitoring your application. If your program requires that your coursework be verified, note the following:

Once all of your required application materials are received, your application's status changes to Complete, and your application is placed in line to be verified. Verifications occur in chronological order and can take up to 10 business days to complete. Once your application is verified, you will receive a notification and your application's status will change to Verified.

After Deadline

Download a copy of your application for your records.

Information shared here taken from the AACN's NursingCAS Application Cycle Dates page.

Review the important application cycle dates below. In some instances, the individual program's deadline may differ from the application's cycle dates. To view a program's deadline date, click Add Program and review the information under Deadline. You can submit your application up until 11:59 PM ET on the deadline date.

While the cycle close date is the final date you can submit your NursingCAS application, NursingCAS has additional final application processing dates for managing your application. Note the dates and submission times below.

Dates for the 2023-2024 Cycle

These dates are for the Summer 2024, Fall 2024, Winter 2025, and Spring 2025 terms.

Information on the NursingCAS Application

Application Milestone

Date and Time

The NursingCAS application cycle opens.

August 10, 2023

The NursingCAS application cycle closes.

The last date you can:

  • Create an account.
  • Submit your application.
  • Request references.
  • Order Professional Transcript Entry (PTE).

January 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET

The last date your transcripts and official test scores are matched to your application. Be sure to request your transcripts and official test scores in advance so they are received by this date.

If you submitted updated coursework during the Academic Update (AU) periods, this is the last date your updated transcripts are matched to your application.

February 13, 2025 at 5 PM ET

The last date your references can submit their references.

If you used the Professional Transcript Entry (PTE) service, this is the last date you can approve your PTE.

February 13, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET

If you are in the Undelivered status, this is the last date you can re-submit your application.

February 20, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET

The last date you can be verified.

All application processing ends.

February 21, 2025 at 5 PM ET

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Report an issue - Last updated: 07/26/2024