BA Holder: Repeating GeneralEd Classes

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I already have a BA in Business, but I would like to change careers. The school I'm applying to will not accept General Education classes older than 7 years. Are there any schools, anywhere, that will waive these courses for people who already have a BA? I can't see spending the money or the time on classes I've already had.

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I don't know of any off hand. I am at a community college, and they require your classes to be less than 5yrs old. Thankfully I only have to repeat 2 classes and then move on. I would call around to different schools in your area, but without knowing where you live, we cannot help you.

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I don't know what state you are in, but check with all the schools in your area. I had no issues with my school taking courses that were way MORE than 7 years old. Now, science credits may be different. A few of those I am retaking. If worse comes to worse and you have to take them, check all the CCs in your state for affordable online options. I took a developmental psych class last term all online for under $500. I am also taking some of my science credits online--the labs are on campus every two weeks. So far they have been challenging, but I've enjoyed it. :) Good luck to you!

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There are definitely schools that will accept general education classes older than 7 years. The schools around here seem mostly concerned with lab sciences being recent (within 5-7 years depending on the school)...but classes like English, psych, sociology, etc...there is no "expiration date."

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Okay, thank you everyone!! It sounds like I need to look for a school that will honor part of the BA I already earned. The cc near my home would be convenient, but not only do they require ALL prereqs to be less than 7 years, they also have a 2-year wait list. They only accept about 55 students/year. There's a demand for nurses, but getting the required education is a challenge.

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First time I've heard that all gen ed courses have to be recent. Most schools with a recency requirement, only have it in place for the science prerequisites. I would definitely check into the other available programs.

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Most schools want the prereqs (A&P. microbio, etc) to be within a recent time. Schools in my area have a 5 year recency requirement. But general ed classes, like speech, soc, English, art, etc are honored at a lot of schools. This is also the first time I've seen that GE courses aren't accepted. I would look at another school. It will already take you a year or more to take the prereqs. I can't imagine having to do all the GE classes again. How frustrating!

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There's a demand for nurses, but getting the required education is a challenge.

If you're trying to get into nursing because you've been hearing the "nursing shortage" nonsense, I encourage you to do more research before making a career change.

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That isn't normal. What school is this, a for-profit that just wants to gouge you for ever dime possible? Or was your first degree from someplace like ITT Tech or Devry where the credits don't transfer anywhere else? My nursing school had no problem taking credits that were 10+ years old, as long as they weren't sciences. My advice is to look into other schools.

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If you're trying to get into nursing because you've been hearing the "nursing shortage" nonsense, I encourage you to do more research before making a career change.

Well, this very website boasts of the demand for nurses... in the US and abroad. Not sure where the disconnect is. I'm in WA state. There is a shortage here. Not sure where you're at. Can you provide a link to the stats you are basing your opinion on? I'm a 45 year old (former) Accountant. I have spoken with dozens of nurses that have cared for my ailing parents. As my parents' primary caregiver, I have had a first-hand look into the world of nursing. I also have EMS experience, so I'm not going into this blind. Until your comment, I have been nothing but encouraged to change careers. And, yes, partly because nurses are in demand and will continue to be. Thank you for your input.

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If you're trying to get into nursing because you've been hearing the "nursing shortage" nonsense, I encourage you to do more research before making a career change.

I also have a 45-yo friend from HS with a military background and a BA in sports medicine. I guess he's been duped also by the "shortage of nurses" nonsense. What you said also doesn't jive with the nurses I've spoken with in the Seattle area hospitals. I'll be sure to mention this to them and see what they have to say. Thanks! :)

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Here's what I am finding when it comes to the nursing shortage--IT DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU ARE. In some areas, it does seem there is a glut of nurses when you have experienced nurses out of jobs and a bunch of new grads who can't find jobs. In other areas, new grads are getting multiple offers (though not always their first, second, or even third choices). Overall, I am not hearing more one way or the other. If you aren't in the field or wanting to pursue nursing, you are hearing SHORTAGE. If you are in the field or planning on pursuing nursing, you find out the realities, again, depending on where you are. The more universal truth, jobs are difficult to come by no matter what industry (pretty much) due to are fantastic economy.

I've tried to be realistic, knowing that rainbows and unicorns aren't suddenly going to appear as I contemplate multiple high-paying offers once I obtain my RN. But, at the same time, I am hopeful that if I keep an open mind that there WILL be opportunities--I just have to be willing to be patient and work for them. I hope this is a healthy outlook to have. Right now, it is all I got ;)

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