Nursing Prerequisites: Essential Sciences for Future Nurses

via Coursera Professional Certificate

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Provider

Coursera Professional Certificate
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Certificate Available
Duration & workload

24 weeks, 10 hours a week

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Overview

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Feeling stuck in your current job? You’re not alone. Many professionals are discovering that healthcare offers the meaningful, stable career they’ve been searching for—and it starts with mastering the foundational sciences. Build Your Science Foundation for Nursing Success Our Nursing Prerequisites program covers Chemistry, Microbiology, Psychology, and Biology—the essential building blocks every nurse needs. Whether you’re new to healthcare or brushing up on science knowledge, we’ll guide you from zero to confident. Who This Program Is For: Career switchers seeking meaningful work, recent graduates exploring nursing paths, or anyone needing to strengthen their science foundation before applying to nursing programs. Why choose our program? • Strong foundations that prepare you for nursing school success • Self-paced learning that fits around your job and life • Award-winning educators who explain complex concepts clearly • Confidence-building approach that makes sciences accessible Your future starts here. Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing industries, with registered nurses earning a median salary of $93,600 annually in the US (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2024). Beyond competitive pay, nursing offers job security, meaningful work helping others, and diverse opportunities from pediatrics to critical care. Ready to make the switch? Join the healthcare heroes making a real difference every day. Your patients are waiting.

Syllabus

Course 1: Chemistry
Course 2: Microbiology Foundations
Course 3: Molecular and Cell Biology
Course 4: Psychology and Sociology

Courses

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1 day 18 hours 6 minutes
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Investigate the fundamental molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern life processes and human health. Build comprehensive understanding of how biological systems function at the molecular level to support clinical decision-making in nursing practice. Connect molecular principles to patient care scenarios through exploration of metabolism, genetics, and cellular communication pathways essential for understanding pharmacology and pathophysiology. By the end of this course, you will be able to: Analyze protein structure-function relationships, enzyme mechanisms, and their roles in cellular processes and drug interactions Evaluate cellular membrane structure, transport mechanisms, and organelle functions that maintain cellular homeostasis Explain energy metabolism pathways including glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and electron transport chain Apply knowledge of cell cycle regulation, DNA replication, transcription, and translation to understand genetic disorders and therapeutic targets Skills: Scientific Reasoning, Systems Thinking
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2 days 10 hours 59 minutes
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Understand human behavior, mental health principles, and social determinants that influence patient care outcomes through comprehensive exploration of psychological and sociological concepts. Develop therapeutic communication skills and cultural competency essential for compassionate, effective nursing practice. Build empathy and professional skills needed to support patients from diverse backgrounds while understanding the complex interplay between individual psychology and social context in healthcare settings. By the end of this course, you will be able to: Analyze sensory processing, perception, cognition, and consciousness to understand patient behavior and neurological conditions Evaluate psychological disorders, stress responses, and biological bases of behavior Apply social psychology principles including group dynamics, prejudice, and social identity to improve patient interactions and cultural competency Examine social institutions, health disparities, and demographic factors that influence healthcare access and patient outcomes in diverse populations Skills: Psychological Foundations, Cultural Competency
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16 hours 3 minutes
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Explore the fascinating microscopic world of bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and prions that profoundly impact human health and disease. Learn evidence-based infection prevention strategies and antimicrobial stewardship principles essential for safe patient care and public health protection. Develop critical skills in microbial identification and infection control protocols fundamental to nursing practice. By the end of this course, you will be able to: Classify and differentiate bacterial structures, including Gram-positive vs. Gram-negative characteristics and metabolic processes Analyze viral biology, replication mechanisms, and the spectrum from pathogenic to beneficial viruses in human health Identify eukaryotic microbes including pathogenic yeasts, molds, and parasitic organisms from protozoa to helminths Evaluate prion biology and unique infectious mechanisms in neurological diseases like BSE and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease Skills: Microbial Identification, Infection Control, Evidence-Based Practice
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1 day 6 hours 43 minutes
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Master essential chemistry principles that form the foundation of pharmacology, metabolism, and medical diagnostics. This course bridges basic chemical concepts with real-world healthcare applications, preparing you for advanced nursing coursework and clinical practice. Build confident understanding of molecular interactions, drug mechanisms, and laboratory interpretations essential for safe patient care. By the end of this course, you will be able to: Analyze atomic structure, bonding theories, and molecular interactions to understand drug-receptor mechanisms Evaluate acid-base equilibria, buffer systems, and redox reactions in biological and pharmaceutical contexts Explain organic chemistry principles including functional groups, stereochemistry, and reaction mechanisms relevant to biomolecules Apply pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic concepts to understand drug action, enzyme interactions, and antibiotic mechanisms Skills: Chemical Analysis, Laboratory Interpretation, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking