Are Prerequisites Flexible?

Idiosyncratic, BSN, RN · Sep 29, 2013

It really depends honestly. Usually if it's higher than what they require, you're good to go. However if it's lower, they won't accept it.

I'm not sure if fundamentals is lower than what your program requires.

Also as for completion of pre reqs, most programs have a deadline to complete them. For instance, at my program for fall enrollment, your classes must all be completely by June 1.

Hope this helps!

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Sep 29, 2013

At my school you have to complete all of the prereqs before entering the program. Most people complete the coreqs also before entering. They give you a choice on prereqs but you have to do the right level. For instance A&P 101 and 102 are required. Then you can choose from chemistry 101 and biology 101. Then you have to take either biology 211 and A&P 201. But they have a weird thing that if take biology 101 then you have to take chemistry or something like that. Somehow I got around taking chemistry because I had some other sciences in but I am taking biology 211 and A&P 201. So I would check with an advisor because most programs are pretty specific on what they want.

coolinbysound · Sep 29, 2013

Talk to the nursing schools you are going to apply for to see if they accept those certain classes. You don't want to take something and then get notified later after taking the class that they aren't accepted.

Usually schools also have transfer guides that show which classes from the other univerisities or CCs that are similar to the classes they require.

loriangel14, RN · Sep 29, 2013

No not usually. You can't take something that is "similar" or just take some of the prerequisites. Prerequisites aren't just suggestions. They are required in order to be admitted to the program.

mrsboots87 · Sep 30, 2013

I know prerequisites HAVE to be completed before applying. No way aroun that. And most schools are very specific in what classes should be taken so you would need to talk to a program advisor if you are unsure. Generally if the pre req class has to be exact, it will be listed as such. If you are allowed to substitute, the prereq will say something to the affect of "chem 130 or higher" or "bio 156 or bio 181".

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Sep 30, 2013

Depends on the school. In my experience, most are fairly strict about what they'll accept...that being said, the school is the final authority and you should ask them of you have specific questions.

I remember that my ADN program required a specific elementary math class. They didn't care if you took a higher-level math class like algebra or even calculus: you had to either take this specific math class, or take a specific test to place out of it. It was not negotiable. I remember one girl throwing a hissy fit during orientation because of that.

Compassion_x · Sep 30, 2013

If they are flexible they will say how flexible. If they say you need chem101 usually you need chem101. However, with some schools they will allow you to start the program as long as you coreq. some of the gen eds needed for graduation.

juniper583 · Sep 30, 2013

I think it really depends on each individual program. We had to have 4 out of 5 pre-reqs completed before admission and the 5th had to be taken in the first semester of the PN program. They were very specific about the order in which the classes were taken and what that 5th class could be if you were taking it in conjunction with the nursing classes.

ShelbyaStar · Sep 30, 2013

My school is super strict in that you take this class at this time and that's it. I have a previous BS degree and I thought I could shave a year off and that they'd give me a little flexibility. When they said no and I'd be stuck here the full four years I started crying right in the office, LOL but now I'm over it and at least I can kind of take a light load while working and stuff for a while.

They did take a lot of my previous credits so I won't have to take most of them over. Mine was a bit complicated because my previous degree was in Oregon and I am now in Minnesota, so the classes do have different titles and levels and stuff. They took my gen ed stuff like writing without much of an issue. I had to work a bit harder at chemistry but my advisors don't think I'll have a problem- I had to fill out a form, print out syllabi from my old classes and show that I had a lab but in the end I took a year's worth of chem over there so it should be more than sufficient to cover the term I need for a prereq over here.

Microbio might be more of a bugger. The microbio class I took before was a 200 level and the nursing program requires 3000 level, so they probably won't take it unless there's something weird like both classes used the same book to show that they're really on the same level.

General biology isn't covering human biology which I'm taking right now, but that's probably just as well since I didn't get very good grades in General bio before anyway. I've take anatomy and physiology before but it was an animal science class so I'm pretty sure they'll make me take that again too, even though I learned stuff to apply to all species. At least I have a little background to work with since it will be a tough class.

But I definitely have to have all the prereqs done. We do prereqs fall and spring, then the following fall we apply while taking the last two prereqs. There's no way to apply earlier and most classes are only offered one semester or the other, so that's why I'm stuck here for four years even though I've already taken a lot of the classes.

Casha9 · Oct 1, 2013

Thank you for all of the responses!