? help - total confusion -

Doug85 · Feb 12, 2005

Hi there. I understand your fears. Even though I am only 19, I can fully imagine what it must be like to be wanting to go back to college after the long time away from school.

You should probably call the community college, but those courses would only take you about a year to complete. Of course, there may be additional courses (microbiology, sociology, chemistry, statistics). I wish you the best of luck- I think it's really cool that you're giving this considersation.

SarasotaRN2b · Feb 12, 2005

hi carlielou,

i live down in bradenton and recognize the course numbers most vividly.

yes, college algebra is usually required. the only other substitute is statistics.

also, you'll need to take microbiology (mcb 2010), human development over the lifespan, and if you are trying to get into a bsn program, add general chemistry.

but it can be done...i'm 40, i've finished all of my prereqs and i'm headed up to tampa and usf for the bsn program. don't worry...you'll be amazed at how many students are in our age group and even older, working towards nursing.

don't hesitate to contact me if you need any additional information or just want to chat.

kris:rolleyes:

i'm 38 years old. worked 16 years as manager in office. my goal has always been to be a nurse. i have no college at all. i am looking on websites - tampa area in florida. several seem to have different pre-req course requirements for the rn course. i see this for pasco community -
nursing (rn) generic prerequisites
course listing credit hours
hun2201 science of human nutrition 3
psy1012 introduction to psychology 3
bsc1085 human anatomy & physiology i 3
bsc1085l hum anatomy & physiology i laboratory 1
enc1101 english composition i 3
so does this mean i don't need algebra or math?
i am really scared about these classes with my age.
i feel stupid not knowing anything at all ---
will i have to pass a test to get in the community college?
can i just take (pass with c average or better) the above classes and go straight to the nursing (rn) classes???
this is what the pasco community college website indicates. also, how long if i go full time will it take to complete the above. i don't know what 3 / 1 means - hours i belive. please help. sorry i'm so in the dark.
many many thanks.

NavyWife · Feb 13, 2005

Not all schools have MAT classed for the RN program, although I have found MOST do as a pre req. The school I was attending in Illinois, had Math for Meds, but it was considered an allied health course, not an MAT. If it was me, I would contact the school and ask. Good luck!!!

bioniclewoman · Feb 13, 2005

My CC doesn't require any math classes but you do have to take a math placment test to get into basic chemistry which is a prerequisite. If you don't test at a basic algebra level, they make you take a remedial math class. Also sometime before you graduate you are required by state law to pass a test that covers math. If you go to a university here, you have to take this test before they will let you in the school, but with the CC you just have to take it sometime before graduating. That is only in this state though and again you only need basic algebra skills.

RedSox33RN · Feb 13, 2005

None of the colleges I applied to needed college level math, but I had to have completed, with a "C" or better in high school, Algebra, Chemistry and Biology. I'm 37, so that was a while ago for me also.

They just want to be sure you understand the basic concepts of math and science, so you can apply them to the advanced sciences, and the nursing math. Some colleges require seperate math courses, but the one I'm at integrates into all of the nursing courses, starting with Fundamentals.

I'm getting my ADN, but I also needed, besided the pre-req's, several electives, like Sociology. Also, A&P2 is a requirement for all nursing programs. I'm finding out now, unfortunately, that it is best to take that BEFORE you enter the nursing program. I had to leave the nursing program so I could finish A&P2, Microbiology and Ethics. I just couldn't handle 14 credits and a family all at once.

The best way to find out what each school requires is to meet with an academic advisor. If you have the experience, some courses you may be able to CLEP.

RedSox33RN · Feb 13, 2005

I should also say that even though I didn't NEED it, since I had HS Algebra with a "C", I took a Math for Allied Health class. It was only a 3 credit course, and I knew it wouldn't count toward credits for my degree, but it was great for me to get back into Math. I hated it in HS, and knew I'd need help, so it was worth the extra time and money to complete. Plus it focused a lot on nursing math.

Good luck! :)

NurseTab · Feb 14, 2005

I, too, am a returning student. All the programs I have looked into have some sort of math requirement. I have a Bachelors in another field and I managed to get the liberal arts degree without taking a Math class (at the time I tested out of it).

Your first stop should be at your CC testing center to take a placement test. This will be a bit scary and will have lots of questions you won't know how to answer, but it'll give you an idea of where you should start. Next, check out a Math text book from the library that is at about the level you tested into. See if you can self teach the course (this is what I did) then take the placement test again. Then, take the class that the second class places you in, or repeat the process of self-teaching again.

When I first tested, I would have had to take 4-math classes to reach the required level of math. I didn't want to spend that kind of time or money retaking material relearning what I had l learned in high school. When I re-tested, I was right where I needed to be with 1-class of math to take.

good luck to you!

hypnotic_nurse · Feb 14, 2005

Even though you haven't had any college, you will be amazed at how much you know once you get started. Don't let the thought of college (or math for that matter) scare you...most colleges offer free tutoring if you are having problems.

bioniclewoman · Feb 14, 2005

I, too, am a returning student. All the programs I have looked into have some sort of math requirement. I have a Bachelors in another field and I managed to get the liberal arts degree without taking a Math class (at the time I tested out of it).
Your first stop should be at your CC testing center to take a placement test. This will be a bit scary and will have lots of questions you won't know how to answer, but it'll give you an idea of where you should start. Next, check out a Math text book from the library that is at about the level you tested into. See if you can self teach the course (this is what I did) then take the placement test again. Then, take the class that the second class places you in, or repeat the process of self-teaching again.
When I first tested, I would have had to take 4-math classes to reach the required level of math. I didn't want to spend that kind of time or money retaking material relearning what I had l learned in high school. When I re-tested, I was right where I needed to be with 1-class of math to take.
good luck to you!

I did kind of the same thing you did. I knew that if I did bad on my math placement test I would be in for 3 or more semesters of math. YUCK! So I bought an ACT book and studied math until I could do well on their practice test. I used different internet sites to learn what I needed to know.

akcarmean, LPN · Feb 14, 2005

First I would set up an appointment with the student advisor and go over the course and your ?? That's what they are there for.

Good Luck,

Angie

SarasotaRN2b · Feb 14, 2005

As I stated before, if you are going to one of the community colleges in Florida, especially in the Tampa Bay area, you will need a math class, whether it be statistics or college algebra. Especially, if you are planning on going on to a BSN, the universities will expect that you have had one or both of these classes.

Kris