Requirements
Planning for a Major in Nursing – Do you have what it takes?
Skills and Abilities
What are the basic skills needed in
the program and on the job?
Learn more…Skills
and Abilities needed in Nursing
The basic required abilities necessary for effective performance in health care careers are outlined on the last page of the Program Information Brief. These abilities are referred to as the Iowa Core Performance Standards for Health Career Programs and include eleven capability areas including mobility, motor skills, hearing, visual, activity tolerance and cognitive-perception, to name a few. Applicants unable to meet these standards are responsible for discussing the possibility of reasonable accommodations with the Special Needs Coordinator.
Recommended High School courses
| *Biology | *Basic Math | *Psychology |
| *Anatomy | *Introductory Algebra | *Sociology |
| Human Physiology | *Intermediate Algebra | Speech |
| *Health |
* If you did not take the starred courses above in High School, you can sign up to take them through the DMACC Academic Achievement Center or contact an Educational Advisor or Counselor for guidance.
If you do not have a High School diploma,
DMACC has a High
School Completion program where
you can earn your GED.
What do you need to know before you
enter the Nursing program?
What skills will be reviewed and what
new skills will be taught during the
program?
Learn more…Academic
Skills Grid
Reality
Check – A letter from
the Director of Nursing Education
Planning Ahead – Strategies for Success from the National Student Nurses Association
A Formula for Academic Success
Tips to Surviving Nursing School
If your skills, abilities or interests don’t match nursing, DMACC offers 10 other career programs leading to great jobs in the health care industry:
- Dental Assistant
- Dental Hygiene
- Dietary Management
- Emergency Medical Technician Basic
- Aging Services Management
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Laboratory Technology
- Nurse Aide
- Phlebotomy
- Respiratory Therapy
In addition, DMACC also offers programs in Veterinary Technology and Mortuary Science.

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