This document provides an overview of the nursing profession and the requirements for admission to the nursing program at VCU. It discusses that nurses promote health and prevent disease. The minimum education is a 3-4 year program for a hospital/associate's or bachelor's degree. The average salary for entry-level nurses is $56,800. Applying to VCU's nursing program is competitive with 285 applications for 60 seats. Requirements include biology, chemistry, English, psychology and sociology courses. Academic advising can help guide students on prerequisites, majors, careers and increasing competitiveness for health programs.

1. Pre Nursing

2. Purpose of Workshop
●Overview of profession of Nursing
●Admission requirements/process for
Nursing
●Profile of Competitive Applicant
●Prehealth Academic Advising Services
●Networking/ Campus Involvement

3. What is Nursing?-
Nurses promote health, prevent disease, and
help patients cope with illness. Nurses are
hands-on health professionals who provide
focused and highly personalized care.
Nurses also serve as advocates for patients,
families, and communities. They develop and
manage nursing care plans; instruct patients
and their families in proper care; and help
individuals and groups take steps to improve
or maintain their health.

4. Training, Salary and Job Outlook
●Minimum of 3- 4 years of higher education
● Hospital/Associate degree programs
● Bachelor’s degree programs – national trend
for BSN for employment
●Average Salary –
●$56,800 for entry-level registered nurses
●Job Outlook –
●Fastest growing occupation in the US
●By 2020, the US will face a shortage of
800,000 nurses.

5. Applying to VCU School of
Nursing
(Important Things to Remember)

6. SAT Scores
Average 1100
(Combined Math and Verbal)

7. Deadline
February 1st, 2014

8. Competitive Application
285 Applications
60 Seats
(2012 Admissions)

9. ● Fill out your application online
● Write a personal statement
● Get 3 letters of reference (faculty references highly recommended)
● Order Transcripts from all institutions you
attended
● Order transcripts of SAT scores from
collegeboard.org
● Go to the SON Friday information sessions

10. Timeline for Nursing School

11. Completing the Nursing program: 3 years
Taking prerequisites: 1-3 years

12. Requirements(for admission)

13. Biology
Chemistry*
English
Psychology
Sociology
Subjects

14. Biology
Required:
BIOL 101 & BIOZ 101 (Intro Biology)
BIOL 205 (Human Anatomy)
BIOL 217 (Nutrition)

15. Chemistry
CHEM 101 & CHEZ 101 (General Chemistry I)
Only required if you did not earn a
grade of “C” or better in your high school
chemistry class.
Highly Recommended as 2nd lab science

16. Second Laboratory Science
CHEM 101 & CHEZ 101 (General Chemistry I)
BIOL 151 & BIOZ 151 (Intro Biology I)
BIOL 152 & BIOZ 152 (Intro Biology II)
BIOL 201 & BIOZ 201 (Human Biology)
BIOL 103 (Environmental Science)
PHYS 107 (Wonders of Technology)
You only need to choose one course (and lab)

17. English (Verbal Reasoning)
UNIV 111 (Focused Inquiry I)
UNIV 112 (Focused Inquiry II)

18. Social Sciences
PSYC 101 (Introduction to Psychology)
SOCY 101 (Introduction to Sociology)

19. What’s the purpose of academic
advising?
(and why are you required to
go)

20. We’re here to help guide you.
“I want to change my
major”
“What are the pre
requisites?”
“Should I add a
minor?”
“I was debating between two health
careers”
“Should I do study
abroad?”
“What if I’m not accepted into my
program?”
“Can I get a job with that
major?”
“What major would be best for my health
career?”
The better we know you, the more helpful we can be.
“My parents don’t think I should do
this”
“What volunteer work should I
do?”
“What if I fail a
test?”
“What if I withdraw from a
class?”

21. Our goal in the Office of Pre-Health
Advising
Is to make you competitive for your health profession

22. Freshmen
YearFirst year students are assigned to academic
advisors by the University College and are listed
in UCMe – Online Advising Appointment system
which is accessible through my.vcu.edu.
First year students must meet with their assigned
academic advisor only.

23. Sophomore-Senior
Year
Academic
Advisor
(Department)
Pre-Health
Advisor
You will have two advisors.
Your academic advisor will help with
Graduation requirements and is located in
your department.

24. Sophomore-Senior
Year
Academic
Advisor
(Department)
Pre-Health
Advisor
Your pre-health advisor will help with
professional school requirements

25. Pre-Health Advisors –
Sophomore – Senior Year
Prajna
Kulkarni
(Last Names A-C)
Betty Ann
Moriarty
(Last Names D-G)
Sarah Pezzat
(Last Names H-
K)
Amber
Cummings
(Last Names L-N)
Ben Plache
(Last Names O-
S)
Sonya Lamb
Barnes
(Last Names T-Z)

26. How often should I go to advising?
First year students are required to meet with
your Academic Advisor twice (2) in the fall
semester
(but we encourage you to come as often as you’d
like)
(For quick questions email is the fastest way to reach
your advisor)

27. How do I schedule appointments?
Phone the UC Advising Front
Desk
(804-827-8648)
Schedule an appointment online
24/7

28. Log in to myVCU

29. Some final thoughts

30. 1. Pay attention to your email.
2. Explore major options throughout the year.
3. First Year Students should meet with their advisor
by October 4, 2013.
4. The VCU School of Nursing offers weekly
information sessions on Fridays at 1:00 pm. Tours
begin at 12:15 pm. Visit www.nursing.vcu.edu to
register.