Pre-nursing pathways

At Edmonds College, we offer pathways to reach your goals of becoming a registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN) or certified nursing assistant (CNA). You can fulfill RN prerequisite requirements here that allow you to transfer to programs where you can earn either a bachelors degree or an associate degree. If you are interested in earning your LPN degree, you can complete your prerequisites and apply to the LPN program at Edmonds College or another program in the area. Qualified applicants to many nursing programs are encouraged to have patient care experience prior to applying.  You can also earn your nursing assistant certification (CNA) at Edmonds College through Allied Health Education to gain this valuable patient care experience.

Pre-Nursing: RN & BSN

You can start your path to a career as a registered nurse (RN) at Edmonds College by completing the first two years of a bachelor degree in registered nursing (BSN) and earning our pre-nursing associate degree. With a pre-nursing associate degree from Edmonds College, you can apply to accredited colleges and universities in Washington state where your pre-nursing associate degree will transfer your credits earned at Edmonds College.

If you already have a bachelor's degree and just need prerequisites or just need to fulfill the prerequisites to apply to registered nursing associate degree programs (ADN), we offer the courses you need with flexible learning options and schedules to get you there. The following core courses* are required at all Washington state nursing schools prior to applying to the nursing programs. Several of these courses have prerequisite courses including Math and English placement and other courses. Please see course descriptions or talk to an advisor to see if you meet the prerequisites for these courses.

* Some prerequisite courses (including communications courses) required for an associates degree in registered nursing (ADN) vary depending on which school you are applying to.

Pre-LPN Pathway

Students interested in the LPN program at Edmonds College (or other LPN programs) need to take the following prerequisites classes prior to applying to the LPN program:

It is important to check the prerequisites for mathematics and English for these classes.  There are pre-college corequisite math options and I-BEST courses to help you reach your goals, if you do not yet meet the minimum math and English placement to start these classes. Contact an I-BEST advisor to learn more.

For advising and program information contact Lori Hays (lori.hays@edmonds.edu) or Jonathan Miller (jonathan.miller@edmonds.edu).

Meet Our Students

Student Success Stories

"Thank you to all the staff of the bio department, stem department and Edmonds College that have helped me transition and ultimately transfer to Seattle U to finish my BSN! I couldn’t have done it without them. If you have any questions, just ask the professors! They will help you or lead you to the right person. They are there to help you every step of the way."

Jonathan W. - Nursing Student, Seattle University

Read More of Jonathan's Story

I graduated from Edmonds College with an AS in Pre-Nursing in 2023 and I’m transferring to Seattle U to complete my BSN. My journey at Edmonds College has been nothing but life-changing. Originally, I was an accounting major as a freshman. But when I changed my path to nursing in the summer, I was intimidated by all the different things I didn’t know about nursing pathways, pre-requisites and transfer applications! Hence, I researched for many hours, consulted with my friends and also the biology department at Edmonds College!

In the summer, I took general chem and psyc 100. Then, I figured that Seattle U needs A&P or microbio done by Fall 2022. I emailed my A&P instructor, Dr. Hays, and asked if I could take cellular bio and A&P at the same time in the Fall (cellular bio is a prereq to A&P and gen chem is a prereq to cellular bio). Fortunately, Dr. Hays let me in and that’s how I was able to complete the classes and apply to Seattle U!

The journey itself is not easy, but I got a lot of support and help from the bio department. I messaged the instructors at 9 pm and they would happily answer my questions. They also explained to me topics that were hard and set up plenty of office hours to make sure the students get the help they need. Besides academics, the department gives advice on transfer applications, helps with letters of recommendations and also interviews!

"The professors are consistent with how well they teach their

classes and they truly are passionate about what they do and will help you learn!"

 

Alina O. - Nursing Student , Bellevue College

Read More of Alina's Story

I was a Running Start student at Edmonds College, where I completed all of my prerequisites for nursing school to become a registered nurse. Throughout all my major sciences courses such as Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology, I felt very supported by the wonderful and very knowledgeable professors. When I did not understand a certain concept, they were always so welcoming for me to go to their office hours or even to stay a bit late after class to ask my questions. The professors are consistent with how well they teach their classes and they truly are passionate about what they do and will help you learn!

Currently, I am a nursing student at Bellevue College and I will be graduating this Fall 2023 with my ADN degree. I will complete my BSN degree at Bellevue College in 2024, and my goal is to work in the Intensive Care Unit, where I will provide critical care to patients and manage complex situations. Alongside my schooling, I am a nurse technician at a local hospital and one of the BC NSA officers. Bellevue College Nurses’ Student Association is a club where we help provide additional resources, tutoring, and connections with nursing students at various stages of their nursing school journey at Bellevue College. Again, I am grateful and felt prepared for my nursing journey after completing my schooling at Edmonds College.