Nursing is a noble profession that takes a great deal of training and education. Nursing programs should help you feel confident about your decision to go into the healthcare industry. Before deciding which program you want to enroll in, it’s worth taking the time to find one that works with your schedule, budget, and nursing career goals. As you consider applying to nursing school, rest assured there’s perhaps no better time than now to become a nurse. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of registered nurse (RN) jobs is projected to grow by 6% from 2021-2031. That means the industry could add about 203,000 RN positions each year, on average, over the next decade. Nurses also make up the largest section of the healthcare profession. Not only are RN jobs on the rise, but related careers – like certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) – are also increasingly in demand.
Nursing School Entrance Exams
Often, the first step when applying to nursing school in the U.S. is taking either the TEAS 7 (Test of Essential Academic Skills) or HESI A2 (HESI Admission Assessment) exam. Many nursing programs use these standardized tests to determine a student's readiness and aptitude for nursing school and as a way to screen applicants as part of the admission process. Both tests evaluate your math skills, science knowledge, reading comprehension, and English and language usage.
How to Ace Your TEAS 7 and HESI A2 Exams
StraighterLine and our friends at NurseHub are always looking for ways to help nursing students succeed in their educational journey. NurseHub understands the significance of nursing school entrance exams and is the leading provider of test prep for the TEAS 7 and HESI A2. Their comprehensive courses are tailored specifically to these exams, equipping nursing students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel on the exam. Courses contain video review, timed practice tests, and thousands of practice questions with in-depth answer explanations. NurseHub's TEAS 7 and HESI A2 test prep courses are designed to help you navigate every aspect of the exams with confidence. Through engaging and interactive content, you’ll gain a deep understanding of the exam structure and question types. Their TEAS 7 courses cover all essential subject areas of the exam including math, science, English language usage, and reading comprehension. Similarly, the HESI A2 courses also cover the exam’s subject areas, which include math, reading, vocabulary, grammar, chemistry, anatomy, physics, and biology. Start practicing now with NurseHub’s Free TEAS 7 Practice Tests and Free HESI A2 Practice Tests. These will give you an idea of how you would score if you took either test today as well as highlight your strengths and weaknesses so that you can start forming a study plan.
How to FastTrack Your Nursing Degree
“When in a nursing program you want to take as many gen ed courses ahead of time as you can, so you won't need to take them with other difficult courses during the program. StraighterLine makes registering so easy and it is all self-paced. Even though it is all online, they make it super clear and easy for you so you don't miss anything. I would use StraighterLine again in a heartbeat. Thank you StraighterLine for helping me achieve my goal fast and easy!”
– Erika, Former StraighterLine Student The prerequisite courses you need to take will vary slightly from one nursing school to the next, however, programs often require very similar courses due to their importance to the field of nursing. Whether pursuing an associate or a bachelor's degree, most programs will mandate the completion of similar coursework to ensure students have the appropriate background to succeed as a nurse.
The most common nursing school prerequisites are:
- Anatomy and Physiology I with a lab
- Introduction to Biology with a lab
- Microbiology with a lab
- General Chemistry with a lab
- English Composition I
- Lifespan Development
- Introduction to Nutrition
- Introduction to Psychology
StraighterLine is a leading provider of online college courses designed to help nursing students save time and money on their degree. We offer 65+ low-cost, general education courses, including all the required nursing school prerequisites, for easily transferable credit. StraighterLine courses can be started at any time – there’s no lengthy application process or need to wait for the start of the next semester. And our self-paced courses fit into busy schedules, allowing you to study anywhere, at any time. In addition, all StraighterLine courses are recommended for ACE Credit (American Council on Education), are guaranteed to be accepted at our partner schools, and have also been accepted for transfer credit at over 2,000 colleges and universities across the country.
Receive Expert Guidance and Support
Online, self-paced test prep and college courses does not mean you’re alone without support. Both StraighterLine and NurseHub have teams dedicated to student success, which are available to answer questions and offer guidance 24/7. NurseHub works with you to ensure you’re fully prepared and confident as you approach your nursing school entrance exams. And to help you achieve academic success in your StraighterLine classes, 24/7 on-demand tutoring is included in the cost of every course.
Gateway to Your Nursing Career
Whether you’re just beginning your journey into nursing or seeking to advance your career, we can provide you with the resources you need while helping lower the cost of earning your nursing degree. Bring your admissions test scores up with NurseHub and cost-effectively earn your nursing school admissions requirements and prerequisite courses with StraighterLine. NurseHub’s test prep package is only $19.99/month. And, with StraighterLine courses starting at only $79 plus a $99 monthly membership, you can affordably earn required credits toward a nursing degree. Taking Anatomy & Physiology or English Composition, for example, would cost you on average over $400 at a community college and well over $1,100 at a 4-year institution. Students average completing a StraighterLine class in 45 days – many in a month or less. So for only $277 (cost of one course plus two months membership), you could complete a transferable course for your nursing degree.
Plus, there’s no commuting to and from campus or scheduling restrictions on when you can take the class. By combining StraighterLine’s extensive online learning expertise with NurseHub’s specialized entrance exam prep courses, we’re opening doors for aspiring nursing students to achieve their dreams. Your success in these crucial entrance exams and prerequisite courses will serve as a foundation for your nursing education and career, providing you with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in your chosen path.
Connect today to the resources you need to get into nursing school and succeed with NurseHub’s TEAS 7 and HESI A2 test prep and StraighterLine's health science courses.
