New and not sure where to start

Hoosier_RN, MSN · Mar 20, 2016

Check the schools you wish to attend, take prereqs at community college (make sure they will transfer first). You cannot do all online if you don't already have any nursing, there are labs and hands on that must be done. Only you know if you can do an online class. Try one. Also, shadow nurses before school. Many people have no real concept of what nursing is. They think high $$ easy day job. The pay can be good depending, but its not easy, and not everyone gets day shift hours, or even flexible hours. Look before you leap. Good luck!

BonnieGS · Mar 20, 2016

Check the schools you wish to attend, take prereqs at community college (make sure they will transfer first). You cannot do all online if you don't already have any nursing, there are labs and hands on that must be done. Only you know if you can do an online class. Try one. Also, shadow nurses before school. Many people have no real concept of what nursing is. They think high $$ easy day job. The pay can be good depending, but its not easy, and not everyone gets day shift hours, or even flexible hours. Look before you leap. Good luck!

Thank you for the advice.

And yes I realize a lot about medical as far as its not " as seen on tv" lol I have a brother n law,which is a,retired nurse and he has told so much of the ups and downs of nursing but loved it nonetheless.

I haven't consulted with family yet due to its better to get unbiased advice from others which aren't going to give me that false sense.... or boost me up too much when I probably need to be more level... I will look more before leaping though because it can't hurt but also going to read a lot here.

Anyways thank you very much.

Quota, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2016

I'm doing all my pre-reqs in online classes through a community college. I did check with both the schools I'm looking to apply to for accelerated BSN programs that the classes are accepted. The A&P classes have virtual labs you complete on your computer and the micro class will have you go on campus 1 or 2 weekends for in person lab (can't remember how many on campus days off the top of my head). All other pre-reqs are easily done online. Check with the schools you want to apply to but it is possible to complete your pre-reqs online with the right schools.

emmjayy, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2016

Hello
I'm new here.
I want to go to nursing school just not sure where I start with perquisites? I mean do I go to the community college or the University I plan to attend for the BSN and start there?
I'm also seeing online classes but I'm not sure thats going to be favorable? Yay or nay for online perquisites?
Seems I've heard online schools charge so much more ?
Ideas any ideas welcome?
Tia!

Yes, you should consult with the schools you wish to attend to determine what prerequisites you need. Take the time to go in and have a face to face meeting with an admissions counselor and bring in copies of whatever school transcripts you have already. You can also ask at that time about what online courses each school accepts. For example, two of the schools in my area accept online credits for some courses from the same provider, which was good information to have when I was trying to decide the most efficient way to knock out my pre-reqs.

In my experience, online schools do not charge more for credits. I took 2 perfectly serviceable 4-credit A&P courses and only paid $700 for each course (and didn't have to buy a book, either), and I know I would have paid a lot more if I'd gone to the courses offered at my local community college.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Mar 22, 2016

If you have not yet begun taking any college classes, I strongly urge you to enroll in traditional classes rather than online. This makes the transition much easier because you will have more support from peers as well as your instructors. Also, actually 'going' to class and meeting all the deadlines/requirements will help you develop the maturity and self-discipline that is essential for nursing school success.

By all means, take your pre-requisites at your (much less expensive) community college. You will probably discover that the academic advisors can tell you exactly which courses are required for most of your local nursing programs because this is a very popular educational route.

ZoeFrecn · Mar 25, 2016

A lot of people do their prerequisites at a community college (because it's cheaper) and then transfer to a University and finish their BSN that way. Many programs have similar prerequisites and you can check online for the required classes or make an appointment with an admissions counselor. I would recommend seeing an admission counselor because they can/could draw up a rough schedule and help you figure out what classes you should take each quarter/semester. Some of the prerequisites are really challenging, so you want to take an easy class/es with those. You can take some of the classes online but some have lab requirements so you have attend school for those. At my College the online classes are a similar price to the on campus version of that class.