Pre req's?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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How long did it take you to get through your pre req's? I've heard it takes people longer to get through those than it does the nursing program. According to the accuplacer I took, I will have to take pre req's just to get into the pre req's I need for the nursing program. I'm 34 right now, so if it's going to take me 4 years just to get through the pre req's, then I don't know if it's going to be worth it, that's a lot of money. At the same time, I really want to be a nurse.

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Specializes in Inpatient Obstetrics.

It took me 2-3 years to get my pre reqs done for a BSN. I'm sure it's A LOT shorter to get the pre reqs for an ADN.

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Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

It took me 4 semesters. 2 summers, and one fall and spring. I took a ton of classes during those semesters, but had to add in an extra 2 extra algebra classes (22 years since I'd been in a math class) and take my CNA class. I'm 42 now and just starting the nursing program.

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It took me 5 or 6 months to complete my pre-reqs. Will be done with my Bachelor's in May...hoping to apply to the ABSN NU-LA program in July.

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It really depends on your personal situation. For me, it will take about a year (4 quarters). I could do it faster if I was applying only to my community college's ADN program, but I really want a BSN so I'm taking the extra classes that they require. Also, I have a 3 month old daughter so I'm not taking a full load every term.

What I did was make a spreadsheet that included all of the programs I wanted to apply to and the list of prereqs that they required. Then I made a plan for what classes to take each term. That way if a program required less I could apply earlier and if I got accepted I wouldn't have to take the remaining classes.

I know it seems like it will take a long time, but I think it will be so worth it in the end! Good luck!!

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Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.

It depends. If you have a Bachelors already, some of your pre-reqs will most likely already be done (English, humanities, etc.). For me, I had A & P I and II, Chem, and Micro left, and took Nutrition and Stats to be more competitive/be eligible for a BSN program in case I applied to one. I paired A & P I with Nutrition, II with Stats, did Chem this summer, and am finishing Micro now, so about a year and a half.

If you need to get other non-sciences (again, English, humanities, etc.), I would suggest combining them with the science classes and doing 2-3 at a time until you get them done. If you pair one or two non-sciences with a science each semester, you can be done in two years. Faster if you take more per semester, but I worked full-time and took classes online or at night.

Good luck, if you want it bad enough you'll work it out!

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At my school: for ADN, 1 year (including a summer semester). The reason is because they allow you to only take nursing courses once you're in the program, so all other electives and general education requirements must be completed. For BSN, 2 years.

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That doesn't sound so bad. I will have to take extra math classes as well, but if I can get everything done in under two years than I will be ok.

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I plan on working as a cna when I go to school, so I don't want to overwhelm myself, but 2-3 at a time sounds pretty reasonable.

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Thanks everyone for your info, it was a huge help, and I'm planning on just going ahead and doing it. Now my next step is to try to quit smoking so it doesn't keep me from getting a job.

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