Question about Pre-Req's

[RNSuzq1]

Hi All,

I've been following the messages for a few months and I'm still a little confused about the Pre-Req's. The school I've applied to requires College level Algebra, Chemistry or Biology and English to be considered for admission, plus the entrance exam, etc. They accepted all those courses and Psych. from a previous College I attended and an A&P Course I took when I was in the Navy.

I've read that many of you have been taking Pre-Req's for a year or more and feel like I'm missing something. The courses a lot of you have mentioned you're taking as Pre-Req's are included in the 2 year ADN Program at my school and are not required to be taken before entering the Program. I'm sure it makes it a lot easier to get them out of the way, but you don't have to take them before being accepted where I've applied.

My question is - do your schools require all those courses be taken before they'll consider you for admission - or are you getting them out of the way to have a better shot at being admitted (good GPA) and lighten your load when you get into the actual Program?

I find out in late April if I've been accepted into the Fall Program. I've already signed up for Psych. II and A&P II starting in May, but honestly - if I don't find out in April that I've been accepted, not sure I want to take those coures and wait another year to apply again.

I guess I'm just trying to get a feel for how long some of you have been at this and how many times you've applied to school. I've dreamed about this for 20 years and don't want to get discouraged but I'm 42 and don't want to be much older before starting a Nursing Program - I know it's a lot of hard work and don't want to be just starting out when I'm not exactly a spring chicken - if you know what I mean???

I take the entrance exam next week and have been studying really hard for it - crossing my fingers and toes that I'll get a good enough grade to be considered for admission. It just figures that I'd have my heart set on a career that's harder to get into than winning the Lottery - oh well.

Any advice, suggestions, etc. would be appreciated. Thanks, Susan

[CappucinoMama]

So interesting to read/hear what the requirements are for other colleges are in order to apply..at the CC I am enrolled, their are five (5) mandatory classes to to have completed prior to the application period for the ASN program Those being: A & P I,

A & P II, Comp I, Gen Psy and Human Nutrition. That being said..we are strongly encouraged to finish all the prerequisites - which leaves Microbiology, Sociology, Humanities and Human Growth and Dev.

As far as math goes, We have to show at least a "C" in elementary algebra and chemistry is not required.

Of course if you wish to keep moving towards your BSN ..it goes w/o saying you will have to complete the higher maths as well as chemistry.

In addition, we are also on a point system here for consideration.

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

At the CC i attended, the ADN program is considered a 2 year program. However, 2 years is the ADN program itself, and you still have to have the "co-reqs" done before graduation. I do think it is much easier to learn med-surg nursing in class if you have had the A&P prior. A little difficult i think to learn deviations from normal when you havent learned the normal yet. And the A&P isnt exactly coordinated with the nursing units being studied. I would go with getting any "co-reqs" out of the way to aide understanding the nursing portion. You eat, breath, and sleep nursing in most programs as it is, without having to deal with the other stuff.

Not what i would want to do, study for a endocrine test in A&P on Monday and have a huge care plan due monday also. NOT even enough time in a weekend for that.

[wonderbee, BSN, RN]

At the cc level, at least at my school, because competition is so tough, unless you already have a bachelor degree in another area you wouldn't make admission unless you've completed the co-reqs as well as the pre-reqs.

[marilynmom, LPN, NP]

Sus an if I were you I would DEFINATLY be taking classes even if you are not accepted. Lots of school do not "require" you to have certain co-req's done but in reality you have to to even have a shot in hell of being admitted. Its like that at my school and most schools I know it is strongly recommended to have them done.

I don't know if you have kids or work or anything but I personally can't imagine having to take all those nursing classes AND co-reqs like A&P, Micro, etc if you don't have to!

Every school is different, what criteria does your school use for admission into the nursing program?

Marilyn

[jenrninmi, MSN, RN]

My question is - do your schools require all those courses be taken before they'll consider you for admission - or are you getting them out of the way to have a better shot at being admitted (good GPA) and lighten your load when you get into the actual Program?

Hi Susan!

At my school, yes, our prereq's had to be taken first. That's all your sciences, maths, psych's etc. Pathophysiology and Pharmacology and some general ed courses can be taken along with your first two semesters of nursing school.

Good luck to you, Susan! Let us know how you do on your test!:)

[RNSuzq1, RN]

Hi All - Original Poster here, Thanks for all the great information. I got a Congrats. letter today from my school for completing Step I and being "Invited" to take the Entrance Exam in 2 weeks - which is Step II. I was glad to get it - but I still have to take the test and the real thrill will be if I actually get into their Fall Program - so I'm not exactly doing cart-wheels yet, ha, ha..

We don't find out if we've been accepted until late April and in the mean time have to take a CPR Course - Step III. I'll be checking around for CPR classes this week - I'm assuming that most hospitals give these classes. My certification ran out a few years ago - so I'll need to be re-certified. If anyone knows the best place to go to take the class - please let me know.

To answer the question from Chris - Yes - I was an HM2 - Naval Hospital Corpsman for 6 years. Sadly, all that training means nothing in the civilian world. Whatever happens I'll be taking some courses starting in May and just keep plugging away at this - I know it will be worth it in the end. Thanks Again, SusanNC

[chris_at_lucas_RN, RN]

Naval Hospital Corpsman for 6 years. Sadly, all that training means nothing in the civilian world.

SusanNC, I think you might want to look at Excelsior College (http://www.excelsior.edu). Allowances are made for military medical experience (among others). It's free to look. The cost is a little more than going to a CC, but it is in many ways more doable because you can pace yourself as fast or as slowly as you might wish.

At least it would give you something to do while you waited.... :)

Meantime, congrats on making it to Step II. And from me to you, thanks for the 6 years of service. It means a lot.

[rebeccalizzie]

Susan, two of the ADN programs near me treat former military corpsmen like LPN's--you basically take an RN completion program, and it's a lot shorter. You may want to check other schools near you if there are any, if that would interest you.

[Mom2kids]

Hi --

I am taking my pre-req's at a community college....they are required classes and need to be completed all with a 'C' or above prior to applying to the nursing program.

ENG 101 Freshman English I 3 credit hours

ENG 102 Freshman English II 3 credit hours

BIO 270 Anatomy and Physiology I 4 credit hours

BIO 272 Anatomy and Physiology II 4 credit hours

BIO 250 Microbiology 4 credit hours

PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology 3 credit hours

PSY 205 Life-Span Psychology 3 credit hours

COM 100 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 3 credit hours

As stated before, all colleges are very different regarding requirements. Some allow you to take co-req's and others pre-req's...although I personally, would elect to take all general classes first to get them out of the way.

Hope this helps!