A Year to prep before nursing program

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I've been looking at my options for nursing programs, and the least expensive route is going to be the ADN at the community college. I literally have every course needed for the program already taken except for Pharmacology and the clinical courses.

If I go this route, the program does not begin until Fall of 2017. What should I learn/study to over the course of the next year in order to make the program go as smoothly as possible, feel confident and knowledgable, and lessen the stress of the actual program?

P.S. I doubt the program is going to be that difficult anyways since my course load credits will only be 9, 10, 10, 9 ?

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

Start pre reqs for a BSN program if you plan on bridging after ADN

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

And PS course loads of 9, 10, 10, 9 are heavy in nursing courses. That's not including your lab and clinical hours.

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Specializes in ICU.

That is a good course load in nursing school.

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I'm in the same boat. I'm doing what OnOn2RN suggested, and taking courses that count toward a BSN while I'm waiting for the application period for Fall 2017. (Nutrition, Statistics, etc).

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First, congratulations. I would suggest brushing up on the "P" from A&P, taking a pathophysiology course, and purchasing the success series "Test Taking" book for beginning nursing students.

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Specializes in Pediatric ICU.

I too would most definitely take a patho class. It will help tremendously! Also, like other posters have said, nursing school is no joke, and not like any of the other classes you have ever taken. You better believe that those 9 and 10 units are not going to be easy by any means. They will challenge everything about you. They will challenge the smartest of nursing students. However, again, having a good understanding of your A & P, along with pathophysiology will help give you the solid foundation to help you better grasp the stuff you will be learning in nursing school. Brush up on those three topics specifically, and just enjoy your freedom and relax time. Trust me, there will be much less of that for the few years you are in the program. And trust me when I say, all of those prerequisite classes you've taken are a cake walk to your nursing classes, nursing exams, care plans, and clinicals. Not by any means trying to scare you, I'm just forewarning you as per your post you don't think it "is going to be that difficult". I've had some very smart friends in my cohort fail out of our program. Don't underestimate the time, effort, and level of difficulty it takes to not just get into a program, but complete the nursing program. Truly wish you the best of luck. You are still a little ways away, but if you have any questions I'd be happy to answer to the best of my limited knowledge.

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