Pre-Nursing Frequently Asked Questions

Explore the FAQs below for helpful information about the Pre-Nursing (PNURS) pathway, including the pre-requisite requirements, HESI exam, and additional policies to help you prepare for the next steps in your nursing journey.

 

Prerequisites 

  • ENGL 1001 (3 hours)  – English Composition I
  • MATH 1021 (3 hours) – College Algebra
  • CHEM 1005 (3 hours) – General Chemistry Lecture for Pre-Nursing (CHEM 1201 may also be accepted)
  • BIOL 1201 (3 hours) – General Biology Lecture for Science Majors
  • BIOL 1208 (1 hour) – General Biology Lab for Science Majors
  • PSYC 2000 (3 hours) – General Psychology  

Total = 16 credit hours

Note: Students must complete these 16 hours of prerequisite courses with a 3.0 minimum GPA, B- or higher in the science courses and C- or higher in non-science courses.  

  • ENGL 2000 (3 hours) – English Composition II
  • SOCL 2001 (3 hours) – Introductory Sociology
  • ILC Fine Arts (3 hours)
  • ILC Humanities (6-9 hours)
  • PSYC 2070 (3 hours) – Developmental Psychology
  • BIOL 1011 (3 hours) – Microorganisms and Man

Total = 21 credit hours

Note: Students must complete these 21 credit hours of courses with a 3.0 minimum GPA, B- or higher in the science courses and C- or higher in non-science courses.

Pre-Nursing students need 3 hours (1 course) of an ILC Fine Art requirement for their Pre-Nursing major.  See the link to the ILC Fine Art List in LSU General Catalog (2026-2027 Academic Year) here: https://catalog.lsu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=35&poid=14235.

Or you may go to the LSU General Catalog (catalog.lsu.edu) > Integrative Learning Core: LSU's General Education Program > III. Fine Arts (3 Sem. Hrs.)

Pre-Nursing students need at least 6 hours (2 courses) of ILC Humanities requirements for their Pre-Nursing major before they can start the LSU Health Science Center School of Nursing (LSUHSC-SON), but they will need up to 9 hours (3 courses) before they can graduate from the LSUHSC-SON.  Pre-Nursing students are recommended to take the 3rd humanities course while at LSU A&M, if time allows.

See link to the ILC Humanities in LSU General Catalog (2026-2027 Academic Year) here: https://catalog.lsu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=35&poid=14236 

Or you can go to the LSU General Catalog (catalog.lsu.edu) > Integrative Learning Core: LSU's General Education Program > IV. Humanities (9 Sem. Hrs.).

To take BIOL 1201 and BIOL 1208, Pre-Nursing students must meet one of the following requirements:

  • Have a 23 or higher on the ACT or 1130 or higher on the SAT.  If they meet these requirements, students can schedule any section of BIOL 1201 & 1208 on their own.

or

  • Pre-Nursing students that have credit earned in MATH 1021 with a “P” or a  “C-“ or higher may enroll in the Pre-Nursing reserved section of BIOL 1201. This section is typically listed in the Pre-Nursing Moodle page, or a student may email pnurs@lsu.edu to ask an advisor which section is reserved.

Note: If a student drops MATH 1021 and doesn’t have “P” credit in it, or doesn’t make at least a “C-“ or higher in it, the student will have to earn the credit in MATH 1021 BEFORE they can take BIOL 1201. 

To take CHEM 1005, Pre-Nursing students must have credit earned in MATH 1021 with a “P” or a “C-“ or higher.

If a student drops MATH 1021 and does not have “P” credit in MATH 1021, or does not make at least a “C-“ or higher in MATH 1021, the student will have to earn the credit in MATH 1021 BEFORE they can enroll in CHEM 1005. 

*CHEM 1201 may be accepted for the Chemistry requirement if a B- or higher is earned.  However, CHEM 1201 requires credit or enrollment in MATH 1022 to register.  This requirement will not be waived, so the student would be required to take MATH 1022 to register for CHEM 1201, even though MATH 1022 is not required for the Pre-Nursing major.  For this reason, we advise students listed as a Pre-Nursing major to enroll in CHEM 1005. 

If a Pre-Nursing student makes a “D” or “F” in a Pre-Nursing course, they may repeat that course 1 time only.  If they fail to make the required grade the second time, they are no longer eligible for admission into the LSU Health Science Center School of Nursing. 

If a Pre-Nursing student makes a “C” in a Pre-Nursing science course, they must submit an appeal to repeat the course.  Students should email pnurs@lsu.edu to discuss this process.

It is the student’s responsibility to contact the pre-nursing advisors to discuss this process in advance of scheduling.  Appeals take time to process, if a student waits too late to reach out, it is not guaranteed that the appeal will be processed in time.

The LSU Health New Orleans - School of Nursing will recognize up to a combined nine (9) hours of AP and CLEP coursework.  In addition to an additional 9 hours of advanced standing credit (ACT/SAT/ALEKS/Placement exam) credit may be recognized as well.  If a student exceeds these limits, they are encouraged reach out to the Pre-Nursing Advisors to discuss (pnurs@lsu.edu) options further.

Critical requirements are meant as markers of progression in the degree program.  These are used to gauge if a student is on track in the program.  If a student is off-track for the critical requirements for two consecutive semesters, the student may have to change their major. 

For the 2026-2027 Academic year:

Semester 1: “C-” or better in ENGL 1001 and MATH 1021; 2.5 LSU and cumulative GPA

Semester 2: “B-” or better in CHEM 1005; 2.75 LSU and cumulative GPA

Semester 3: “B-” or better in BIOL 1201; 3.0 LSU and cumulative GPA

By the end of Semester 4, the student should be admitted to LSUHSC-SON.

 

Application

Pre-Nursing students will be applying to the Traditional Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (Traditional BSN) Undergraduate Degree Program at the LSU Health Science Center School of Nursing.

  1. Must complete all of the Pre-Nursing courses with a 3.0 minimum GPA, B- or higher in the science courses and C- or higher in non-science courses.
  2. Complete the online application form at www.nursingcas.org 
  3. Submit all college transcripts of any college ever attended to NursingCAS, even if they are already on the LSU transcript.
  4. Complete the Written Statement portion of the application.
  5. Pay application fee.
  6. Complete the HESI Exam with an 80% or higher

Note: Specific instructions can be found on the LSU Health Science Center School of Nursing Application Information page (https://nursing.lsuhsc.edu/bsn/application.aspx)

There are two application periods:

  1. Fall 2027 Admission Cycle: Due March 31st at 10:00 pm.
  2. Spring 2028 Admission Cycle: Due August 31st at 10:00 pm

*Dates subject to change.

Students will apply to the LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing by the application deadline for the semester that they anticipate they will complete the following 16 hours of prerequisite courses with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, a “B-“ or higher in the science courses and a “C-“ or higher in the non-science courses:

  • ENGL 1001 (3 hours)  – English Composition I
  • MATH 1021 (3 hours) – College Algebra
  • CHEM 1005 (3 hours) – General Chemistry Lecture for Pre-Nursing Majors (CHEM 1201 is also accepted)
  • BIOL 1201 (3 hours) – General Biology Lecture for Science Majors
  • BIOL 1208 (1 hour) – General Biology Lab for Science Majors
  • PSYC 2000 (3 hours) – General Psychology  

Total = 16 credit hours

The Written Statement is completed as part of the LSUHSC-SON application.  The prompt is included in the application and is subject to change between application cycles.

If a student has applied to the LSU Health Science Center School of Nursing and has met all the admission requirements (prerequisite grades and GPA, HESI with 80% or higher, completed online application, submitted transcripts and paid fees), the student will be invited to complete the virtual interview once their application packet is reviewed.  Instructions will be provided to all eligible applicants.

If accepted into the LSU Health Science Center School of Nursing, students will start the semester after they apply.

For example, if a student applies for the August (Fall) application deadline, they will start the following January (Spring).

If a student applies for the March application deadline (Spring), they will start the following Fall (August).

*Note: Application deadlines are subject to change and will be available on the LSUHSC School of Nursing website. 

 

HESI Exam

The HESI A2 Exam with Critical Thinking section is an entrance exam that is required for students to take and complete with an 80% or higher to be eligible for admission into the LSU Health Science Center School of Nursing.

Students applying to the LSU Health Science Center School of Nursing must take the HESI A2 Exam with Critical Thinking section by the application deadline. 

If a student does not make an 80% cumulative score, they may re-take the exam, but can only take it twice during an application period and must wait 6 weeks between each exam.

Note: This information, along with specific instructions on how to take the HESI Exam can be found on the LSU Health Science Center School of Nursing Admission Information link under item number “3.” 

HESI Admission Assessment Exam A2:  https://nursing.lsuhsc.edu/bsn/admission.aspx  

Reading comprehension, meaning word use, conclusions, implications, understanding, grammar, vocabulary and general knowledge, biology, chemistry, and math.

You may take the HESI exam twice in an application cycle, and you must wait 6 weeks between attempts. The LSU Health Science Center School of Nursing accepts the highest score for admission consideration.

HESI exam scores are good for one year.

Please check the Pre-Nursing Moodle page and reach out to the Pre-Nursing Advisors (pnurs@lsu.edu) to discuss materials that are currently available.

 

Additional Policies/General Information

No, Pre-Nursing majors are only on the LSU A&M in Baton Rouge campus to meet the requirements they need to take to transfer to the LSU Health Science Center School of Nursing (admission is competitive and not guaranteed).

There is no degree in Nursing at LSU A&M.  Once a student graduates from the LSU Health Science Center School of Nursing, they will get their Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.

Once you have completed your prerequisites for admission to nursing school, you will apply to the LSU Health Science Center School of Nursing.  Part of that application, you will be able to indicate which campus you prefer:  The LSU Health Main Campus in New Orleans or The Off-Campus Instructional Site in Baton Rouge

Both programs award your BSN through LSU Health Science Center School of Nursing upon graduation.

Acceptance to nursing school or to your preferred location as acceptance is competitive and never guaranteed.

Yes, students will be earning a degree from LSU, but not LSU A&M in Baton Rouge. Student will be earning their BSN Degree from the LSU Health Sciences Center School of Nursing.

No. For a student to earn a minor, they must also be completing a 4-year degree program at LSU A&M in Baton Rouge; a minor must accompany a degree.

Students at LSU A&M may retake a course that they earn a D+ or lower in without the need of an appeal via the Repeated Course Policy. The most recent attempt at the course will replace the previous attempt for GPA calculation purposes. All attempts will be listed on the LSU transcript. If an "F" grade is earned in a course, the student must retake the course at LSU per the "F" Grade Policy.

However, the LSUHSC-SON does review how many attempts it takes a student to pass the course with the appropriate grade.

No. The LSU Health Science Center School of Nursing does not utilize plus/minus grading as LSU A&M in Baton Rouge does.

For example, if a student makes a “B+” in a course, it’s still considered 3 Quality points as would a “B” or “B-“. 

To calculate your Pre-Nursing GPA, please use the LSU Health Science Center School of Nursing Traditional BSN web-site GPA calculator which can be found here: https://nursing.lsuhsc.edu/apps/calculator/bsn/

LSU Health Science Center main website: https://nursing.lsuhsc.edu/  


Application Information Link: https://nursing.lsuhsc.edu/bsn/application.aspx  


Admission Criteria Link: https://nursing.lsuhsc.edu/bsn/admission.aspx   


Informational Video to Watch for Traditional Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (Must sign up first under “Webinar” to watch on Demand): https://nursing.lsuhsc.edu/Apps/InfoSessions/  


LSU Health Science Center Financial Aid Office: https://www.lsuhsc.edu/financialaid/default.aspx  


*Note: Information for the Application Information and Admission Criteria section of both locations of the School of Nursing (Main Campus or OCIS) are the same. 

The LSU Pre-Nursing advisors are located in University College (UC) in 150 Allen Hall on the LSU A&M Baton Rouge campus.  Walk-in appointments are not offered, please ensure that you have scheduled an appointment via Navigate or have emailed the Pre-Nursing advisors (included below) to schedule an appointment.

The Pre-Nursing advisors can be contacted by email at pnurs@lsu.edu.  

The LSU Health Science Center School of Nursing's Main Campus is located in New Orleans, LA at 1900 Gravier Street, Room 321. 

You may contact them by email at nsstuaffairs@lsuhsc.edu.   

The LSU Health Science Center School of Nursing Off-Campus Instructional Site (OCIS) in Baton Rouge, LA is located at 50 Field House Drive in the Huey P. Long Fieldhouse.

You may contact them by email at sonbr@lsuhsc.edu.