Advice on schools for Prereq. courses in Chicago?

romie · Dec 22, 2006

As a general rule, the chicago city colleges are pretty good places to take your pre-reqs if you are planning on transfering them to any of the chicago nursing schools. I took weekend classes at Truman and loved them. The teachers were excellent and the students were all working adults.

Gennaver, MSN · Dec 24, 2006

Hey all,
First of all thanks to everyone posting, this site has been a great resource for someone with very limited experience in healthcare.
I'm 33, living in Chicago (bronzeville) and planning to start applying to nursing programs as soon as I complete a couple of prerequisite courses.
My initial goal is to get my RN as cheaply and quickly as possible (via an ADN program @ City or Community Colleges) then get into the workforce ASAP. I already have a BA, so I might be able to bridge to an MSN after a couple years working. I know what everyone's thinking, but based on my research this makes more sense to me than going directly for my BSN or direct entry MSN as my mediocre college GPA (2.56) and lack of funds rule out any programs that are ideal (Rush, Depaul, UIC).
So the current plan is to take BIO 121, CHEM 121, and BIO 120 (medical terminology) to meet posted admission requirements for schools like Malcom X and Truman College.
Can anyone recommend a school for these prereqs? Is distance learning an option?
I know there's a long lead time between applying to and actually starting nursing at these schools so I'm also lining up volunteer jobs and Red Cross training for CPR/AED certifications.
Sorry for the rambling post... any answers/suggestions/opinions are very welcome. Thanks!
Eric

Hello,

If your goal involves getting it as cheaply as possible then the ADN route is the way to go. However, by the time you complete your pre-reqs for the ADN you would most likely also qualify as a direct entry Master's student, (I am at DePaul but, you are right it is COSTLY). Loyola also has a post back BSN one year program as does RUSH too. They would both only take approximately 12-15 months and while they cost more than the ADN you would be doen quicker and already have the BSN at the same time.

I suggest getting information from several schools.

Be aware that the junior colleges are highly, highly competitive!! All non degreed folks are competing viciously for those limited seats. BSN programs are very competitive too.

At the same time I started at DePaul I was registered at a junior college but, relinquished me seat. I figured that it would take the same amount of time but, it would offer a greater pay off in the long run, (and it did make me feel better to open up that much needed junior college seat to another student.)

Gen- I have heard very good things about Daley college and have worked with several nurses who graduated there, I think they got something good going on there!

romie · Dec 24, 2006

The time of day and day of the week that you take your pre-reqs at a ccc will have an affect on your experience. Night and weekend classes will be filled with mostly working adults also trying to get into nursing programs. I really liked taking my three bio classes at Truman part time. I have heard horror stories about Malcom X. But your location in the city and your willingnesss to travel to different schools will also influence your decision.

Trigirl · Dec 29, 2006

The Chicago City Colleges are definitely the way to go for pre-reqs. I just finished taking CHM 201 & 212, Statistics (MTH 125) and SOC 201 for Rush, but unfortunately did not get pulled from the waitlist. I am applying to Loyola now, which requires me to re-take my A&P classes, and I'll be taking those at Harold Washington as well. I had a great experience there. Most of the day classes are younger students, but I didn't really care. Most of the night time classes were filled with people doing just as I was...taking pre-reqs for nursing school.

The city colleges are by far the cheapest way to go.

prinsessa · Jan 4, 2007

A agree about going to the city colleges. They are cheap and have lots of evening and weekend classes. Good luck!