Already have a non-nursing B.A.; looking to enroll in inexpensive nursing pre-req courses

[vcassius]

Hi there! I already have a bachelor of arts in a non-nursing field (journalism) and now aim to begin a nursing program in the next few years. My B.A. generally spares me from taking a lot of the prerequisites required by most programs (e.g., psychology, English, and other liberal arts classes), but I still need to complete some of the more STEMs-related courses; stuff like anatomy I and II, microbiology, statistics, chemistry, nutrition, and human development.

My question: Does anyone know online resources to fulfill the aforementioned courses, as opposed to in-person classes with expensive per-credit tuition rates? So far, the online options I've encountered appear a bit dubious in reputation. Ideally, an online option would be inexpensive and reputable enough that esteemed nursing programs would transfer credits from such an online institution.

Any help is much obliged. Thanks!

[elkpark]

Be careful, before you sign up for any on-line hard science courses (even from reputable schools), to confirm that nursing programs you are interested in will accept those courses for credit. Lots of schools require that courses like A&P, micro, etc., have lab components. Some on-line courses do have on-line "lab" activities, but not all schools will consider that adequate/acceptable.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Hmmmm, lessee now ....

online ...

reputable/accepted by real nursing program ...

economical ...

I'm not seeing anything that fits all of the above requirements. One maybe, possibly two (if you don't count "online"), but all three? Nope. Care to try again?

Seriously, call the program(s) you're shooting for and ask them for references to appropriate classes. Many junior/community colleges have integration agreements with baccalaureate programs or accelerated baccalaureate programs in nursing, so their classes are accepted in transfer/prerequisites. But you would be well-advised to check with your target programs before you sign up for anything.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I agree with elkpark (above) that you should 1st identify the nursing program you want to attend and find out what their requirements are before you invest in any pre-req's. It's risky to make any assumptions.

Looking for reputable, yet less-expensive options ... your best bet is often a state-supported school located within your own state. The large state universities usually have the appropriate accreditations etc. that reputable nursing programs are looking for. Because they are state-supported schools, in-state student tuition is less than that of private schools and/or out-of-state schools. But as I said, you have to double-check all that and don't assume their credits will transfer.

[caliotter3]

Education is big business and most schools have found online education to be a cash cow. That is why you will see high tuition. If you will follow tuition/fees for one institution over several years, you will see how tuition/fees have increased incrementally at that institution. This is one reason why people are encouraged to minimally obtain a BSN when they start out their career. Every time you return to school it is going to cost more than the last time.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

It has been many years since I graduated, but a community college with a direct transfer agreement to your BSN program is a safe and affordable option.

The Micro, Chem, Biochem and A&P courses are extremely important to becoming a competent nurse. You need to have high grades in these pre-requisites in order to be accepted to any highly regarded nursing program. These classes fill up very quickly so plan ahead.

I understand the need to do this economically. It may be possible to test out of nutrition and human development and that information is found in the college catalog.

[caliotter3]

When you find an inexpensive nursing program, please post the information.

[verene, MSN]

The cheapest option that is reputable for taking hard-sciences is probably your local community college. Many have affordable rates and some offer hybrid classes for sciences with lecture online and in-person lab once or twice a week. I find it doubtful that you will be able to find a cheap, reputable, and transferable course for hard science classes that is 100% online.

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

Lab courses like micro and chem cannot be done completely online, but you may find hybrid courses. I took online courses that were offered by my local community colleges (stats and psych), and they fit all three criteria.

More and more non traditional students are entering the higher education marketplace, and many brick and mortar schools are offering online or hybrid courses to meet the needs. Some will say online is "less than" in person, but they are not. I do not have to be in the same room with a professor, when she or he offers online audio and/or video lectures, message board discussions, or assignments. How is that different than in person? In fact, everyone is expected to participate in discussions, and there are many in a classroom who can go through an entire semester without uttering a word.

Just be careful about choosing your school, make sure the nursing school will accept the credits, and you should be fine with online education for pre-reqs.

[runsalot]

Check out the community colleges in your area. Most offer online courses. And are accepted by the majority of programs you would be applying to. With the sciences, the lecture part is on line.. But most of the time labs are in person on campus. My cost was 99$ per credit hour plus fees.

As always. Check with where you want to go to make sure the courses will transfer so you don't waste your money.

In all my science labs there were people that were applying to all the nursing programs in the area and were taking their prerequisites at the CC to save money.

[quixotic.dy]

Your best bet is to take your hard science classes at a community college. Online classes are always more expensive, even at community colleges, and many schools won't take labs from online classes.

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

Check your local community college. I was able to take the lectures online and labs late in the evening or on weekends in some cases.