Pre-Nursing

Nurses are hands-on healthcare professionals that provide patients with direct, personalized care. They are important members of the healthcare team and are extensively involved in helping patients with the maintenance and promotion of health, in adapting to acute or chronic illness, and in coping with the final stages of life. Nurses work shifts (day, evening, and night) and weekends, and many nursing activities require physical strength. Most health care services involve some form of care by nurses.

Pre-Nursing students at Portland State University (PSU) complete a set of prerequisite courses designed to fulfill admission requirements for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs at other institutions. Pre-Nursing is a professional track, not a major or a degree program at PSU. Students may also choose to complete a different degree at PSU and then apply to accelerated BSN programs to earn a 2nd undergraduate degree.

Most Pre-Nursing students attend PSU for 2-3 years working on prerequisites with the goal of applying for acceptance into a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program elsewhere. Admission to nursing school is limited and extremely competitive. In years past, Oregon students admitted to OHSU’s nursing program had an average prerequisite GPA of 3.65. If a student applies to nursing programs and they are not accepted, they often continue taking courses to earn a bachelor’s degree at PSU while they re-apply to nursing programs. PSU does not have admission agreements with local nursing programs and PSU students are not given special consideration in the application process.

Prospective students interested in attending PSU can meet with a pre-nursing advisor to learn about the pre-nursing program