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by jennifers

I am going back to nursing school. I already have a four year degree in liberal studies (biology and psyc). So I met with my advisor and I have to retake several classes because I took them 8 years ago. If I would of came back to school 2 years ago I wouldnt have to retake them. They have a 7 year rule on science classes. I have to retake micro, chem and A&P. Thats a lot of hours to retake. It kinda made me a little discouraged but I want to be a nurse so bad I'm willing to do it. I guess it wouldnt kill me to have a refresher course...but this college is REALLY expensive!
has anyone else had to deal with this?
Jen

[teresaden]

Re: Would this discourage you?

I just graduated from nursing school with 11-year old science credits. (Just under the wire for the 10 year limit at my school). Many times I wished I had repeated the classes although I wasn't required to. Can you take the pre-reqs over at a community college and transfer them? Where I live, some of the university insructors teach, or have taught, at the community college and vice-versa. Same class, less money.

Re: Would this discourage you?

I graduated from an accelerated program 8/05. They where willing to transfer all my credits from a biology degree I earned in 1984. I still needed to take 3 of the upper level science courses because they were not included in my original degree. However my A & P, and organic chem credits transferred.

I graduated cum laude and perhaps that's why they where willing to transfer those 20 year old credits. Obviously every nursing college is different. Maybe you could find one that would be willing to take the credits from your first degree. Where your grades good on that first degree?? I went to school with a lady who had to retake some of the basic science classes because she had earned c's or d's the first time around in 1987.

I have to admit that it was really tough taking those upper level sciences with that rusty 20 year base behind me, but it is doable and with alot of hard work you can do well.

Good Luck!

[TheCommuter]

Re: Would this discourage you?

If you want to be a nurse badly enough, you will find a way to accomplish this seemingly daunting feat. As the previous poster mentioned, you might want to retake the science courses at a local community college. Junior colleges tend to offer the same lower-division classes as most universities, but at a significantly reduced cost per credit hour. I am enrolled in 15 credit hours worth of classes at my local community college, which equals 5 classes at 3 units each. Three of my five professors have doctorate degrees and the other two are adjunct professors with only a few units to go before earning their doctorates. Junior colleges offer quality instruction at a lower price.

[chuckc]

Re: Would this discourage you?

I did not have to repeat my chem and micro, but I did take anatomy and physiology again, it had been a number of years. I did not realize how much I would need it, especially the physiology. I really would have been somewhat lost in nursing school if I had not repeated it to refresh myself. That is just my experience. On the other hand, I took statistics without taking a recent course in algebra, no way was I going to repeat that. I did just fine without it. These are just my experiences. Good Luck!

[catlady]

Re: Would this discourage you?

How about testing out through the CLEP exams?

[Elisheva]

Re: Would this discourage you?

I have been out of nursing 10 years and am taking a refresher course soon to return. I dragged out my Anatomy and Physiology book last week and realized I really had forgotten a lot that I need to remember (acid-base balance, electrolytes). I've ordered a new A&P book. I don't think you'll regret retaking those classes in the long run. To me, a solid base in anatomy makes nursing interventions so much easier to comprehend. Worth a review.

[BSNDec06]

Re: Would this discourage you?

Originally Posted by catlady

How about testing out through the CLEP exams?

This is excellent advice- my school allows students in the accelerated program to CLEP most classes for which they provide a test. I am certainly glad that I didn't have to sit through Human Development and Sociology!

It's definately worth checking with your advisor, because it is only about $50-100, which is a lot cheaper than the class (not to mention the time you save!)

[goodknight]

Re: Would this discourage you?

I don't think you can CLEP after you have taken a course. But if you CAN that would be one way to go.

Community College is a good idea too. Same content, less $$$

[catlady]

Re: Would this discourage you?

If they're not going to accept her credits, why shouldn't she be able to CLEP out of them? AFAIK, you only can't repeat courses that you're getting credit for--no double dipping.