Courses are only the first layer
“A&P required” is incomplete. You need the course number, lab requirement, minimum grade, accepted equivalent, expiration window, number of attempts, and deadline by which it must be complete. Confirm transfer equivalencies in writing before paying for an outside course.
Track three different GPAs
Programs may examine cumulative GPA, prerequisite GPA, and science GPA differently. One may use all college attempts; another may replace a grade. Recalculate using the program's rules instead of assuming the GPA displayed by your current school is the admission GPA.
Sequence courses around learning, not only speed
A&P and chemistry foundations help with TEAS Science; math and English courses support the other sections. Finishing those foundations before serious TEAS prep can reduce duplicated work. But preserve application timing: a perfect course sequence that misses the application cycle is not optimal.
Add non-course requirements to the same sheet
Track TEAS or HESI, CNA certification, healthcare hours, CPR, immunizations, background checks, references, orientation, information sessions, and residency rules. Requirements can have their own expiration dates and processing times.
Use a traffic-light audit
- Green: completed and verified under the current rule.
- Yellow: in progress, awaiting equivalency, or close to expiration.
- Red: missing, below the minimum, or scheduled after the deadline.
Review the matrix before every registration period. Policies and catalog years can change; your saved spreadsheet is a planning tool, not the authority.
Common questions
What classes are usually required for nursing school?
Common requirements include anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, statistics or college math, English composition, psychology, and human development, but every program’s list differs.
Do nursing prerequisites expire?
Some programs set recency limits, especially for laboratory sciences. Others do not. Verify the catalog year and admissions policy that apply to your cycle.
Can I repeat a prerequisite?
Often yes, but programs may average attempts, use the latest or highest grade, deduct points, or cap repeats. Read the policy before enrolling again.
Is the TEAS a prerequisite?
Where required, the TEAS is usually an admissions requirement rather than a college course. Its deadline and attempt rules should be tracked alongside course prerequisites.