Program Details

• Major Name: Pre-Nursing / Pre-BSN Nursing
• Degree Program: Arts and Sciences
• Degree Designation: AS
• College / School: STEM

The pre-nursing program provides a foundation in biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, math, psychology and sociology required for admission into, and success in, any nursing program. Students should work with their adviser to ensure they meet the prerequisites of the program to which they intend to apply.

The associate of science in pre-nursing (General Studies) program prepares students to seek admission to an associate degree RN program.

The associate of science in pre-BSN Nursing prepares students to apply specifically to the bachelor of nursing (BSN) program offered by West Virginia University’s School of Nursing on the Beckley, Keyser and Morgantown campuses. The first year of the program provides all the prerequisite courses required for admission into the BSN program and the second year will be completed after admission to that program. Students are selectively admitted to the BSN nursing program when all pre-BSN requirements have been satisfactorily completed. Minimum requirements include a 3.00 cumulative GPA and at least a 3.00 in all prerequisite courses.

Students who are not accepted into the BSN program after the first year and/or those who plan to apply to another nursing program should use the pre-nursing (General Studies) associate of arts major.

Career Outcomes

Registered nurses perform diagnostic tests, observe/record patient behavior, consult with physicians, administer medications and treatment and perform many other duties for hospitals, doctor's offices, nursing homes, schools and many other agencies.

In addition, registered nurses may choose to continue their education and enter graduate programs to become nurse practitioners. While both meet the minimum requirements to sit for the registered nursing certification, a BSN degree provides a more thorough nursing curriculum than an Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) program. According to the Nurse Journal, nurses who obtain a BSN make $8,337 more annually than nurses who obtain an ADN. In addition, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a report recommending that the number of nurses with a BSN increase from 50% to 80% by 2020.