Pre-Nursing Program

Turn your commitment to care into action and prepare for a career in nursing. Gain hands-on experience in a clinical placement, engage with the local community and have a lasting impact on the lives of others–every day.

Two Albion College students working together in a lab

Why Study Pre-Nursing at Albion?

Our pre-nursing, pre-medical and pre-health programs are nationally recognized. As a member of the Wilson Medical Institute, you’ll receive exemplary advising from health professional advisors and access job shadowing, internships, and research opportunities.

Our pre-nursing program is designed to complement any major. Regardless of your field of study, you’ll have all the benefits of a broad liberal arts education, developing cultural competence, communication, teamwork, and social skills as you learn through one-on-one mentorship with faculty, close relationships with your peers and plenty of opportunities for active learning.

What Will You Learn as a Pre-Nursing Student?

You’ll develop keen critical thinking, problem-solving, communication and analytical skills that will enable you to make safe and effective decisions in a complex and fast-paced clinical environment.

You’ll develop a broad foundation in biology, chemistry, kinesiology and physics. You'll also take classes in English, math and social sciences that will contextualize your scientific study and ensure you meet the requirements for professional school.

You’ll gain real-world clinical experience caring for patients, learning through shadowing professionals in the field. You’ll also have the opportunity to engage with the local community, pursue internships and participate in hands-on research.

Program Highlights

Wilson Medical Institute

As a member of the Wilson Medical Institute, you’ll work with our dedicated health professions advisors to obtain experiential learning opportunities with alumni, including clinical, service and research positions. You’ll learn alongside a close cohort of peers, attend professional development workshops, and graduate with the academic and hands-on experience to enter the field of nursing with confidence.

Job Shadowing and Professional Experience

Two Albion College students working around a table.

As a member of the Wilson Medical Institute, you’ll obtain an abundance of observation and volunteering hours prior to applying for graduate programs. Our dedicated advisors will provide you with resources and placements to make this process go smoothly and to ensure you get the experience you need.

(4+1) Nursing Program with Oakland University

A student holding a test tube in the laboratory.

Albion College and Oakland University have formed a partnership that allows participating Albion students to become nurses. During their time at Albion, students take a series of prerequisite courses and earn their bachelor’s degree in 4 years. Students are then immediately enrolled in Oakland University’s accelerated 2nd degree nursing program, and earn their bachelor’s degree in nursing. This allows students to get both liberal arts education and a nursing degree.

MayMester Certified Nursing Assistant Course

Group of students working together in a laboratory

Every year, the Institute invites students to apply for our Maymester CNA course. This is a three-week course that begins after the spring semester ends and includes class and clinical experience. Upon completion of the class, students sit for the state CNA exam to become a certified nursing assistant. This grants students access to paid clinical experience positions including hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics.

Careers & Outcomes

Our pre-nursing program prepares you to pursue professional study and have a lasting impact on the lives of patients. Our students go on to careers in various nursing professions. Below are examples of careers our alumni choose, and professional schools our students have recently attended.