Curious high school student

Salamanda NP, MSN, APRN, NP · Feb 26, 2010

I would recommend going to the colleges website and looking at the dept of nursing. The website should answer all of these questions for you. If not, call the schools admissions office. Most nursing programs for a BSN require A&P I&II, Microbiology, Chem, and Algebra or Statistics. There are also all of the gen eds (Eng I&II, social sciences, arts, etc.) Good luck!

guiltysins · Feb 26, 2010

Though I don't go to this school pre-reqs simply mean "classes you have to take before something else". So for example in High School you can't take Spanish II until you've taken Spanish I, things like that. Pre-reqs for nursing are science courses, an english course or two, a psychology course and a math course and you take them in college and are included with all the other classes you'll be taking.

According to the website there are 12 pre-reqs you have to take before you can apply to the nursing program. What you need to understand is that when you apply to college, you'll be accepted as a pre-nursing major which doesn't guarantee that you'll get into their nursing program. You have to be accepted to college, pass those classes and then you're considered for the nursing program. The 12 classes can be done in either 1 year or 1 1/2 years.

Also this program is for an Associate's Degree, which is not a problem as you can still become a Registered Nurse but it is only a 2-year program. However, when you add in the year for pre-reqs, it will actually take 3 years to complete the program.

Mell Bell · Feb 26, 2010

It's different for every college, so you should definitely get in contact with the school of nursing at the college you want to attend.

There are pre-reqs like English, sociology, phychology, developmental psychology, biology, microbiology, A+P I and II, statistics, chemistry, I'm probably leaving a couple out. Most people get them done in 2 years, depending on what kind of course load you can handle and if you take summer courses. I got everything done in 2 years, but I could have done it quicker, I didn't know I wanted to be a nurse at first and took courses I didn't need. Financial aid should cover them.

You should be able to apply to the nursing program while you are finishing up pre-reqs, but it is rare to actually be accepted without being done with everything. Best thing to do is visit the school of nursing as they can give you the exact details you will need. Good luck!!

Tarabara · Feb 27, 2010

I dont want to sound rude, but honesty your post made it clear that you haven't even checked out your school's nursing program at all. I suggest looking at your school's website and talking with an adviser who can tell you all about your school's requirements, financial aid, etc. While we here can tell you a general idea about pre-reqs and that, the people you should really be asking are those at your school!

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2010

I dont want to sound rude, but honesty your post made it clear that you haven't even checked out your school's nursing program at all. I suggest looking at your school's website and talking with an adviser who can tell you all about your school's requirements, financial aid, etc. While we here can tell you a general idea about pre-reqs and that, the people you should really be asking are those at your school!

She's only a high school kid, trying to grope her way through the dark. Why bash her? I think she shows a lot of initiative by coming to allnurses.

Getting into college, paying for it, knowing what you want for a major, complying with all the demands for transcripts, essays, applications, FAFSA's, letters of recommendation, and heaven only knows what else is no small task. She is to be encouraged and helped as much as we can help her. Maybe she didn't know to go to the school's website. Maybe her advisor is a dodo bird, like mine was in high school. He only had time for those who knew what they wanted, very little for people like me who were floundering and undecided. Can't really blame him, he was only one person for 300 seniors, but I could have used more help than he was able to give. While this young lady doesn't have the issue of being undecided on her major and career aspirations, she still needs guidance and some pals. Please, let's help her, not reprimand her.