Question about going from Prerequisites to Nursing School?

alovelymother · Aug 9, 2012

Well I'm looking into prerequisites seeing if there are any I can get done now (during high school) by taking classes after school. But here are my questions...
1. If I'm interested in a colleges nursing program - would I call and ask what prerequisites are needed?
2. How long does it take to finish prerequisites (generally - how long did it take you)?
3. Nursing school is 2 - 3 years right? lol
It just seems like prerequisites would take FOREVER and nursing schools is so short? LOL

You should go to your local college and speak with an advisor. Maybe talk to the guidance counselor at your high school to see about dual enrollment classes.

At my community college it takes 3 semesters to finish prereqs. The nursing program itself is 4 semesters.

JayCimone · Aug 9, 2012

I'm just worried that I waited to long to apply for college prep classes (prereq.) because they asked in the beginning of the year and I wan't sure if I would be able or not... but I guess all I can do is talk to them. :)

Thanks!

nursingstudent2458 · Aug 9, 2012

1. That wouldn't be necessary since the prerequisites are on the school's website. The prereqs are usually 2 semesters of nursing chemistry or general chemistry, 2 semesters of Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Psychology classes, Stats, etc. Some colleges require Biology and Medical Terminology.

2. For the nursing prereqs itself, it will take me 3 semesters (this semester I'll will complete my last 2 prereqs), but I guess it depends on the person. One semester i thought it would be a good idea to take Gen Chem II with lab, Stats, Intro to Psyc, and A&P I with lab all at the same time. That was a pretty stressful workload for me, but I still managed to get A's and B's thank goodness... I suggest you take an amount of classes per semester that is comfortable for you because entry into nursing school is extremely competitive and you want to make the highest grades you can. At my school you don't have to finish the prereqs before you apply for nursing school, but you do have to finish them before you start nursing.

3. Yes, depending on where you go. For and ADN program, I believe it's about 2 years total and for a BSN program, its about 2-3 years for core requirements/prereqs and about 5 semesters for the actual nursing program.

JayCimone · Aug 9, 2012

Thanks for that - that was a really great explanation I'm so happy I found this site! lol

JayCimone · Aug 9, 2012

Also so how would I got about prerequisites...well college in general - I would take the prerequisites required for their nursing program and then apply?

nursingstudent2458 · Aug 9, 2012

Pretty much, but you don't have to finish all of them before you apply. At my school, you HAVE to complete at least 5 math and science prereqs before entering though. I'm not sure how it is at other schools... I believe that most schools require you to be accepted to their college before you can apply to the nursing program. I'm not sure how the whole high school-college dual enrollment works.

Also so how would I got about prerequisites...well college in general - I would take the prerequisites required for their nursing program and then apply?