Pre-Nursing Advising

While USD does not have specific undergraduate nursing major, students are encouraged to choose a major that offers the following courses:

Typical* required courses

• Human Anatomy – Bio 212
• Human Physiology – Bio 213
• Microbiology – Bio 214 or Bio 342 (has Biology prereqs)
• Psychology – Psych 101
• Cultural Anthropology or Introduction to Sociology – Anth 102 or Soc 101
• English Composition – FYW 150
• Speech/Public Speaking – Comm 203
• Statistics – Math 120, Psych 260
• Nutrition

*These courses will satisfy the requirements for most nursing schools. Make sure that you check for additional requirements at your selected schools. Most schools want you to have completed the required courses prior to the time of application. Take all required classes for a grade; pass/fail is not acceptable. Grades below a "C" are not considered passing for most medical schools.

Some schools recommend

• Chemistry – Chem 151, Chem 151L, Chem 152, Chem 152L
• Biology – Bio 240, Bio 240L, Bio 242, Bio 242L
• Developmental Psych – Psych 314, Psych 315

Other application information

• GRE: Some nursing schools require the GRE. Check individual programs.
• Clinical Volunteer/Shadowing: Experiences in nursing settings are important ways for students to learn about the field.
• Community Service/Leadership: There are many opportunities on and off campus to become involved. It's always best to find something meaningful and to participate in it over time.

Registered nurses (RNs), regardless of specialty or work setting, treat patients, educate patients and the public about various medical conditions and provide advice and emotional support to patients' family members. RNs record patients' medical histories and symptoms, help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, operate medical machinery, administer treatment and medications and help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation.

RNs teach patients and their families how to manage their illnesses or injuries, explaining post-treatment home care needs; diet, nutrition and exercise programs; and self-administration of medication and physical therapy. Some RNs may work to promote general health by educating the public on warning signs and symptoms of disease. RNs also might run general health screening or immunization clinics, blood drives and public seminars on various conditions.

When caring for patients, RNs establish a care plan or contribute to an existing plan. Plans may include numerous activities, such as administering medication, including careful checking of dosages and avoiding interactions; starting, maintaining and discontinuing intravenous (IV) lines for fluid, medication, blood and blood products; administering therapies and treatments; observing the patient and recording those observations; and consulting with physicians and other healthcare clinicians. Some RNs provide direction to licensed practical nurses and nursing aides regarding patient care. RNs with advanced educational preparation and training may perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and may have prescriptive authority.

Specific work responsibilities will vary from one RN to the next. An RN's duties and title are often determined by their work setting or patient population served.

RNs can specialize in one or more areas of patient care. There generally are four ways to specialize. RNs may work a particular setting or type of treatment, such as perioperative nurses, who work in operating rooms and assist surgeons. RNs may specialize in specific health conditions, as do diabetes management nurses, who assist patients to manage diabetes. Other RNs specialize in working with one or more organs or body system types, such as dermatology nurses, who work with patients who have skin disorders. RNs may also specialize with a well-defined population, such as geriatric nurses, who work with the elderly. Some RNs may combine specialties. For example, pediatric oncology nurses deal with children and adolescents who have cancer. The opportunities for specialization in registered nursing are extensive and are often determined on the job. Learn more about nursing by visiting nursingworld.org.