Is nursing school work at your own pace?

Nursing Students General Students

Published

I'm still working on my pre-reqs, but I'll be done soon. I want to go with the traditional BSN program, but I don't know anyone that has gone through this. All of my friends are just figuring this stuff out. What I want to know is, can you go through nursing school at your own pace or are you expected to take 4 courses in a semester?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Generally the curriculum is predetermined so therefore unless your program offers a part time option (very few do) you cannot go at your own pace. Most nursing classes are pre- or co- requisites each course building on the others.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

Usually no. There may be some flex as to when you can take the classes but generally it is a set curriculum with each semester's classes having pre-reqs or co-reqs. Like class A needs to have class B taken along with it and Class C needs you to complete class a and b first. Taking a semester off may not be an option for many programs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

No. You are with what is called a cohort. You all progress together. If you fail a class, you may get put back to a different cohort or you may be allowed to progress with your cohort but have to retake the failed class when it is available with another cohort. It all depends on the program and if they allow you to retake classes and how many. At my school, two failures and you are out of the program completely.

This is because of the clinical component. A school cannot set up clinicals at hospitals for each individual person. You go in a group. Nursing school is much different from other degrees. It is very fast paced and you need to be able to keep up.

The good thing is you will really get to know your classmates. You will also get to know your instructors.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment