Are these too many pre-reqs to take for nursing?

phoenixnim · Jan 7, 2014

I made some notes on your list.

General Biology - May not be needed, depending on what you took in high school.
General Chemistry - May not be needed, depending on what you took in high school.
General Psychology - Standard Requirement
Developmental Psychology - Standard Requirement
Human Anatomy&Physiology I&II - Standard Requirement
Microbiology - Standard Requirement
Organic&Biochemistry - These are not not required in every program. I would look for a Chemistry class that is a combo introduction to all 3, General, Organic and Bio. Most of the schools in my area want the all encompassing class rather than all three chem classes. It will be titled "Chemistry of Life" or something similar. The book I had was this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0321741048
Nutrition - Standard Requirement
Ethics - Standard Requirement - Some schools also have this as part of the nursing curriculum, so might be something to look into further
Critical Thinking - This is not needed at any of the schools in my area, so might want to look into this further
Gerontology - This is not needed at any of the schools in my area, so might want to look into this further
Analytical Writing - This is not needed at any of the schools in my area, so might want to look into this further (Usually English II covers this)
Communication - Typically a standard gen. ed. for an Associates or Bachelors
Sociology - Standard Requirement
Statistics - Standard Requirement
Medical Terminology - This varies greatly from school to school. It is not a req in any of the schools in my area, but I have seen others mention it on allnurses
And the state university says I have to take at least 12 credits at their school in order to be considered for their nursing program(so at least 3-4 more classes basically. Usually it is not an addition to pre-reqs. I would plan where you want to go, and plan to take some of your pre-reqs at this school.

Many schools have you complete all pre-reqs and gen. eds. prior to starting the actual nursing program. Pre-reqs generally are about 2 years worth of schooling, depending on how you break it down.

It is a really good idea to nail down a plan such as if you are going for your ADN or BSN first. If you are planning on attending a community college and then transferring, look into what kinds of agreements your community college has with local colleges. This will save you big time on not taking classes that may not be needed or that won't transfer.

I hope this helps. I had a crazy spreadsheet going when I hammered down my choices and plan and I'm happy to help further if you need it. :-)

lovenotwar14 · Jan 7, 2014

I would just stick with one.or two schools and just make the best.grade.possible in the pre reqs

RunBabyRN · Jan 7, 2014

I agree with the notes phoenixnim made, except that critical thinking is required for any program in CA. Analytical writing was part of that class.

Biology was a prereq for anatomy and physio, and the chemistry we needed was a prereq for physio. The chemistry that fulfilled that requirement was a substitute for o-chem and bio-chem.

A lot of those courses also meet general ed requirements, so be sure to take a look at all of that.

Like you, I did prereqs for several schools, because I needed to be able to apply to more than one.

The way I look at it, few people get through college in 4 years anymore. You also gain different things from each of those classes that can actually be useful.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Jan 7, 2014

You have many different routes you can go. I would decide between LPN, ADN, or BSN. Then you need to look at how much you want to spend on your schooling. A private, expensive 4 year school, or a less expensive state school, or a community college depending on what degree you want. After I narrowed that down, I would look at a couple of different programs, compare their prereqs and work on those. No need to waste money on classes you won't need.

CDEWannaBe · Jan 7, 2014

Phoenix gave good advice. It's smart to decide if you're going to do the ADN or BSN program. Typically an ADN degree takes students about 3 years and BSN takes students 5 years from start to finish, going full time.

In the meantime, start taking the prerequs that every program will require, like:

General Biology

General Chemistry

General Psychology

Developmental Psychology

Human Anatomy&Physiology I&II

Microbiology

Nutrition

Sociology

Tinkk · Jan 7, 2014

Thanks guys for the help. My only problem is that I want to have "backup" plan in case I don't get into the university. If I don't get into the state university, I want to try my community college which requires you to be an LPN first. And with the ADN program I was looking at, requires a combination of classes from both my LPN program and BSN program. I don't really know what route I want to go to first, that's why I just want to apply to wherever I can first and see where I'll get accepted.

1busymaniam · Jan 7, 2014

Tinkk, not sure what state you are in? Forget that 4 year school! LPN and ADN are faster and you can always go back to school after you are employed in nursing. You won't need those science classes x for A&P and micro. Take micro and A&P later as many schools want them to have been taken " in the last five years " Writing is usually English 1 or 2. Nutrition and Terminology are usually taught in the LVN school tho you would probably need a true Nutrition class for your ADN as I did. Gerontology would be a class taught in the ADN school. I may have an Ethics class soon. You can find some school that won't require Statistics or offers a substitute like Contemporary Mathematics. I don't know about Critical Thinking but I take it as a computer exercise at my ADN school. Speech and Nutrition can be found in four or eight week sessions if you want and so could the English/writing class. One class that could be req'd and not on your list is Pathophysiology. A&P come first tho. Again some of these classes are only req'd for the BSN degree. Hope this helps... Russell

texasgirl22 · Jan 10, 2014

more prereqs = more tuition. i just set myself up to be ready for one school (since they all required different prereqs in the DFW area) and got the best grades i possibly could and if i don't get in.. so be it. i'll apply next semester. i don't want to waste time and money taking classes i won't need.