Nursing Curriculum

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I have a question about the nursing program curriculum. (Let's see if I can explain and ask my question where it makes sense. LOL) Here is an example of the first semester (once you complete the pre req's): Intro to Professional Nursing

Clinical RN Training

A & P I

Developmental Psychology

Okay, here is my question, do I have to take A&P and the psychology class at the same time as the nursing classes or can I take all the non nursing classes (for each semester) before I enter the actual nursing program? The reason I ask is that I would like to get all non nursing classes out of the way, so when/if I am accepted into the nursing program I can concentrate strictly on the nursing classes.

Thanks,

Perrie :D

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Hi...I'm interested in hearing the others responses to this question too. I plan to do this as well because it will allow me to work full time for one more semester before I have to quit my job. I promised my husband that I would take as many classes as I could in the evening while working part time. That leaves only the nursing classes left which are all scheduled for the daytime. Good luck!!! I would also suggest speaking with your advisor about this too.

~Bean :D

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At the school I am at now, and the two I have applied to for the BSN program, you are encouraged to get the non-nursing courses out of the way, in addition to your prereqs. This gives you less stress for those first few semesters in the actual nursing program, so you can focus on just nursing stuff.

Two things I would caution about, though:

1. The nursing courses are usually set on an inflexible schedule (i.e., you take these nursing classes your first semester, and these your second, etc.). If you take non-nursing courses ahead of schedule, make sure there will be enough credit hours each semester to maintain your financial aid. For example, if I was going to go to the ADN program at a local community college here, I would only be taking the nursing classes, as I have completed all other parts of the curriculum. The nurses classes are 9 hours per semester at the school in question, which would drop me down to less than full-time attendance for financial aid purposes.

2. Make sure any courses you take ahead of time meet the program's requirements and will transfer.

Steph

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I just noticed in another post that you'll be attending Brookhaven. I will start there in Fall 02 (hopefully!) and I attended the info session in November. The advisors there said that the support classes can be completed before, but not after, the semester that requires the class. For example, you could complete A&P II and Dev. Psych before, but if you hadn't completed it by your first semester you would have to take it then. I have an info packet from the session and I'd be happy to help if you have any more questions. By the way, what semester do you plan on applying for?

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I myself completed all my non-nursing classes first to concentration on the nursing courses. I don't know how I could have managed nursing and non-nursing courses. The program is very demanding on your studying schedule and balancing act between work and clinicals. I have an understanding with my employ to work at least one day a week. I don't think I could handle working full time along with full time school. I would recommend taking the non-nursing courses first before entering into the nursing program.

Marlita :)

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I, too, got all the academics out of the way first. That way I don't have anything else to take up my time.

I think it is the best way for most of us, the non-traditional students, moms with kids, etc.

Frees you from a lot of stress.

Marla

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i already answered perrie on another board, but since bean was also interested i thought i would just post it here also......

yes, you should be able to. that's what many adn students including myself do, it just turns the program into 3 years instead of 2. generally only about 5 student each year do the entire program in 2 years. i was like you, i wanted to concentrate on the nursing classes, and it had been over 20 years since hs so i wasn't real sure how i would do. as someone else stated, you can take support classes ** before they are due, but not after. say in my program below, if you don't have comp 1 completed satisfactorily you could not move on to nursing 3.

for example, here is my program:

first year adn program

fall

4 hrs - a&p 1 **

3 hrs - gen psych **

10 hrs - nursing 1

spring

4 hrs - a&p 2 **

3 hrs - human growth & dev. **

3 hrs - comp 1 **

10 hrs - nursing 2

second year

fall

4 hrs - micro **

3 hrs - sociology **

10 hrs - nursing 3

spring

3 hrs - speech **

4 hrs - comp & analysis **

10 hrs - nursing 4

graduation!!!

in fall 2000 i took:

biology (only had 1 bio in hs)

a&p 1

psychology

sociology

spring 2001

a&p 2

comp 1

speech

human g&d

med term (extra class)

summer 2001

micro

intro to pharmacology (extra)

fall 2001

nursing 1

spring 2002 (now)

nursing 2

cadaver dissection (extra)

will clep comp 2 this friday

no classes this summer.

next fall & spring, nursing 3&4 with no other classes!!!

doing it this way also gave me the time to take the "extra" classes that were a big help.

now is everyone confused?

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At the college that I am at, we are also encouraged to get the non-nursing classes out of the way fist. I did this, but there are a few in my class that have not and are taking a much heavier load than I am because of the non-nursing (support) courses they must take in addition to the nursing courses..... so, I would definately say that if you are allowed, that you should get those out ot the way first!!

Just my 2 cents!!! ;)

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Thanks for the input!!! :D I can't wait to be done with all my pre-req's and non-nursing classes. I'm anxious to be on my way!!!

~Bean

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I have an info packet from the session and I'd be happy to help if you have any more questions. By the way, what semester do you plan on applying for? [/b]

Shyviolet, I am REALLY hoping to apply for the program in the fall of 2003, but because I have small children, I might not make that. Another pending factor is what I make on my placement test for math. I have a feeling I am going to have to start from the bottom and make my way to college algebra. :( Do they hold the sessions often? I would like to attend one and get all the info.

Perrie

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:

cool:

Perrie,

I to am taking all of my non nursing classes prior to nursing.i am in a bridge program,so its done a little bit differently.As for math(big four letter word for me),I started with a support class and worked towards algebra. There should be some form of student tutoring available at your school.Check it out, and good luck

stevie

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For me, I have taken all of my pre-reqs already...so if I get accepted into the nursing program all I have to take are my nursing courses....which I'm happy about in a way.....if only I could finish sooner....lol :D

Fatima

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