Classes to take while waiting

oklamedic2011 · Jul 30, 2015

I would definitely knock out Chemistry, statistics etc. Look at the program advisement for any local RN to BSN program and go ahead and get a head start if that is the career path you are wanting to follow.

adventure_rn, MSN, NP · Jul 31, 2015

If you can, I'd go to school part-time and get a job as a CNA. Hospital CNA experience will help you feel more comfortable during clinicals, and it can help you get your foot in the door for your first RN job. You can also start to get a sense for nursing specialties you'd be interested in.

Plus, you'll be making money, rather than spending it on classes it sounds like you don't really need.

Quetzalcoatl · Aug 2, 2015

Hi guys. I am done with all of my prerequisites for the Valencia nursing program and have 2 semesters to take classes that might help. Any suggestions? I don't want to waste my money and time on classes that will not do anything for me. I can't take Pharmacology because it's part of the program. I've already taken Medical Terminology and Diet & Nutrition. Any other helpful tips would be greatly appreciated.

Ask them if you can take any nursing classes early for transfer including pharmacology. I've already done this with nutrition and pathophysiology and my school accepted them, meaning my 1st quarter will be light with only 6 credits I have to take through them.

Go through the class list and see what they'll let you take early and transfer over.

barcode120x, RN, NP · Aug 2, 2015

I would talk to your nursing counselor about possible classes that are required to take higher level nursing courses that were not mentioned when you discussed applying/going for nursing. For example, my program simply required a HESI score 70 or greater, A&P, and microbiology in order to apply.

I did look into my college schedule of classes (basically a book of all the classes and codes to register for each semester) and I noticed that some of the later nursing classes had "pre-requisite" courses. My psych nursing course required introductory to psychology class or an equivalent to that. I believe a child psychology-type course was required in order to take peds nursing. A lot of my classmates were did not realize this and had to give up their summer/winter in order to take these pre-req classes or they would not be able to continue. Not only that, but you have to complete all your GE's + the nursing classes in order to get your degree which then allows you to apply for NCLEX. I too had some classmates that did not know that and could not apply for NCLEX until after they finished their miss GE courses (most needed to take a math course). At least, that's how it is for my program (community college in cali).