Are "pre-reqs" really pre-reqs? and more...

AgentBeast, MSN, RN · Jun 22, 2011

Those courses are likely corequisites, in that they must be taken at the same time as the other courses if not before.

They probably only use the HESI from the way it sounds.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2011

While some nursing schools, including the one I went too, are set up so that you can take the "pre-req's" along with the core nursing classes, many students have found it to be less stressful/an easier workload to get at the very least the science classes out of the way prior to starting the nursing classes. The semester that my classmates were taking clinical, pharmacology, A&P 2, and nutrition is the semester that we had more students fail out than any other semester.

chicagoing, ADN, RN · Jun 22, 2011

My community college only had 2 pre-requisite courses: A&P I and chemistry. All other courses were co-reqs, although it seems as though many of my fellow students have difficulty understanding the difference. More classes completed (pre- and co-reqs.) = more points on our application...so it made sense that many of us completed the bulk of these co-reqs. before we even applied.

I'd look into how the applications are evaluated...if applicants at your school of interest receive more points for more classes completed, then you just may have to take classes while working just to have a competitive application.

Also, I haven't heard of other schools requiring both the HESI and NET exams, but that doesn't mean it couldn't happen (is there somebody at the college you can e-mail re: entrance exams?)

Anywho...

I've heard from a few former nursing students that if you can at all do this, finish these co-reqs. before you being your core nursing classes.

EGagnon · Jun 22, 2011

Thanks for the posts so far everyone! It does make sense to get some of the classes under your belt before you move on to the program - which I would love to do if I can work that out. I just wanted to be sure it was possible to do it all together. I am looking into some courses that I can take this fall that will work with my schedule.

I will give the few colleges that I am interested in a call to talk with them and see what their admission is based on and what they require for testing before/along with the application. Is there anything else you can think of that would be important to ask?

Another thing, I never job shadowed/volunteered, is this something that is a must before jumping in? I have talked with friends who are nurses and have a decent feel for what I am getting into.

NewSN13 · Jun 22, 2011

EGagnon, congrats on your decision to look into nursing! It sounds like you've noticed that there are a million different ways to go about nursing school and part of that stems from the different ways that schools set up their curriculum, what they base admittance on, what their pre-reqs and co-reqs are, etc. For example, I'm starting a BSN program in the fall that requires all of the non-nursing classes to be completed before applying so in my case, A&P I & II, chem, micro, math, psych, sociology, etc., are all really pre-reqs.

Read around here and look at what people are talking about as far as applications go, make note of what type of requirements people are trying to fullfill (pre-req GPA, overall GPA, exam scores, experience, letters of rec., essays, interviews - just to give you a start!!!), and talk to the individual programs you are interested in to get a feel for what they want their applicants to look like!

It's really amazing how many variations of the application process exist out there!

JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2011

I would take all of the non-nursing classes before beginning nursing school. Here's why: At least at my school, it is impossible to schedule some (all) of these classes around the nursing school schedule. There is no way you'll want to start nursing school without having the A&P, micro and psych - these subjects will come up again and again. You may find it extraordinarily difficult to get into your needed science classes. The demand is up for the classes yet schools have had to cut back due to budget crises. Also, it would be nice to graduate with your class.

escapebigd · Jun 23, 2011

That set up looks a lot like the program I'm trying to get into. It confused me at first the way they had what the called support courses and pre reqs mixed in with the nursing classes, but would not allow you into the program unless you had every pre req and support class done. Do you know how competitive that school is to get into? I would definitely ask where they do their clinicals at.

leenak · Jun 23, 2011

Most schools will list their pre-reqs on their website and the pre-reqs are truly pre-reqs. I'm only looking at BSN programs myself and they won't even look at your application if you don't have the claesses they list done.

EGagnon · Jun 23, 2011

Thanks for the replies.

The ones I have listed can be taken along with the nursing specific classes, though from what I hear it would be best to get those non nursing classes done ahead of time so you can focus solely on the nursing classes. Which I would def do if my schedule allows. I know there isnt any A&P classes that I can take this fall, unless I go online.

The one thing I really need to find out is how the schools I am looking at score the application and if the non nursing classes have any effect.

Anyone take classes with http://www.edukan.org/edukan/index.php ? Ive read a few posts on hear about them and most were positive. This could be my way to keep my current job and get some of the sciences and other stuff taken care of before applying to school...though I need to make sure that these courses would transfer.