advice on what courses to take while waiting to be accepted in the ADN

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I finally finished my prerequisites to get in the nursing program. Meanwhile, there is at least a year's worth of wait before I could get in. I am planning on taking Forensic Pathology (in case I want to get into Forensic Nursing) this coming fall while waiting. Any suggestions on other helpful courses that I may take towards a certificate not far from the nursing/medical field?

Thanks.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

well that would depend on the program. If you do not have all your pre-requisite coursework complete, you start there. Make sure it's all complete and your grades are as high as possible in each one. These two things alone will give you "points" in most programs, toward admission. If you are not sure what courses you need, it's time to visit your guidance counselor or get a course outline/degree plan from the university or college to which you plan application.

If you have all your coursework done, you could always expand your sciences----taking more chemistry/bio courses or medical terminology. Ask what may look best on your transcripts and always be thinking of the future and your next degree (BSN/MSN). Consider courses like statistics or developmental psychology, etc. if you do not have them already.

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Thanks SmilingBlueEyes. I am currently taking Developmental Psychology:) and I figured for next Fall semester, while waiting to be accepted in the nursing program, it won't hurt to take Pharmacology and Basic Arrythmia or maybe Medical Terminology.

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Specializes in NICU.

I will be in the same boat you are in about a year from now, but I know that eventually I will pursue a BSN, therefore in my "down" time, I am going to take classes such as Chemistry, extra Psychs, medical terminology, pathophysiology (not a pre-req at my school) and those types of things. It was recommended to me to contact the school I am going to get my BSN through and find out what classes are part of the program - then get some of those out of the way. If you are planning on going that route eventually, that is what I would do - just talk to the school and find out what it's going to take to complete your BSN degree and then start working on that - will make less work for you in the future and you won't be taking classes you don't need. Good luck!

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Do you plan on getting your BSN? Why not start taking some of the classes you need for the Bachelor's degree?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

I was going to say what Sarah and the others say. Look into your local BSN program and see what coreqs they require and get some of those out of the way. Even if you swear you'll never go back for you BSN, you never now. I'm going back 15 years later and had to stop to take Chemistry, World Civilizations, Statistics, etc. that this college requires as coreqs.

Good luck and enjoy yourself.

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I finally finished my prerequisites to get in the nursing program. Meanwhile, there is at least a year's worth of wait before I could get in. I am planning on taking Forensic Pathology (in case I want to get into Forensic Nursing) this coming fall while waiting. Any suggestions on other helpful courses that I may take towards a certificate not far from the nursing/medical field?

Thanks.

How about medical anthropology. There is at least one 100% online course at the following school:

http://www.foothillglobalaccess.org/register/Summer/ANTH050.PRICE.html

If it is going to be one year wait... how about getting a EMT certification (usually 2 quarters)?

-Dan

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