Nursing

HealthBachelor's4 Years

Patient care, clinical practice, health assessment, and medical procedures.

Who It's For

Good Fit

You genuinely care about helping people and want to make a direct difference in their health. If you are compassionate, calm under pressure, good with your hands, and comfortable with science, nursing provides a deeply rewarding career with excellent job stability. Students who are empathetic, organized, and handle stressful situations well tend to thrive.

×Consider Alternatives

If you are squeamish about bodily fluids, uncomfortable with high-stress situations, or dislike memorization-heavy coursework, nursing will be difficult. Students who prefer research or office work over direct patient care should consider public health, health administration, or biomedical engineering.

How Your High School Classes Connect

How much each subject matters in this degree

Biology
Core
Chemistry
Important
Math
Helpful
English
Helpful
Physics
Minor

Common Coursework

Statistics
ModerateReq

Analyze data using probability, distributions, and hypothesis tests for evidence-based practice.

General Chemistry
ModerateReq

Study atoms, bonding, reactions, and equilibrium — the foundational chemistry for pharmacology.

Microbiology
DemandingReq

Study bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites — how they cause disease and how we fight them.

Anatomy & Physiology I & II
DemandingReq

Study every body system in detail — structure, function, and how organs work together.

Health Assessment
ModerateReq

Perform head-to-toe physical exams and interpret findings to identify health problems.

Fundamentals of Nursing
ModerateReq

Practice core nursing skills — vital signs, patient assessment, hygiene, and documentation.

Pathophysiology
ToughReq

Study how diseases disrupt normal body functions at the cellular and organ system level.

Pharmacology
NotoriousReq

Learn how drugs work in the body — dosing, side effects, interactions, and safe administration.

Medical-Surgical Nursing
ToughReq

Care for adult patients before, during, and after surgery and with chronic medical conditions.

Pediatric Nursing
DemandingReq

Provide nursing care for infants, children, and adolescents with acute and chronic conditions.

Mental Health Nursing
ModerateReq

Assess and care for patients with psychiatric disorders using therapeutic communication techniques.

Obstetric Nursing
DemandingReq

Care for mothers and newborns through pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery.

Nursing Research
ModerateReq

Read and evaluate research studies to apply evidence-based practices in patient care.

Community Health Nursing
ModerateReq

Deliver nursing care to populations in schools, clinics, and home settings outside hospitals.

Common Next Steps

Master's in Nursing (MSN)Nurse Practitioner CertificationDoctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Brightest = most common path

Job Market Outlook

8/8related careers have positive growth outlook
Strong Growth×5Moderate Growth×3

Is Nursing right for you?

Take our free 20-minute assessment to find out if nursing matches your personality, interests, and strengths.

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