Do I need to get started on a Associates Degree before RN pre-reqs?

The general ed and specific nursing school prereqs will keep you busy for awhile. You are smart to get the general ed stuff out of the way, then you never have to look at them again. Things like English 101, Speech 1, Algebra 1, etc. Last on your list should be the science classes for nursing school, like anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology, because these probably will have a five year time limit, so you want do them last. You will find that some prereqs will have their own prereqs. Like some schools require you to take Biology before you can take anatomy. Each school is different. Go to the website of the school you plan to attend and check out all the general info for a degree as well as the section on the nursing school. Start out by taking your assessments for English and math placement if you have to do that.

The requirements for a degree are the requirements for a degree, usually about 60 semester hours covering certain required courses, such as English, math, US history and the requirements for your major. In your case, your major will be prenursing and then when you are accepted into the nursing school, your major will change to nursing. You don't have to get a degree in nursing, you can get a degree in general studies as long as you complete the required courses and you have the 60 credits.

One by one, you can take half a lifetime. But don't get discouraged. There are people who take their nursing prereqs, like anatomy, one at a time to make sure they get an A. You need as many A's as you can get, especially in the nursing prereqs, because that determines if you get into nursing school or not.

You can get started now. You can take online courses until it becomes convenient to drive to school. But be careful with online courses. They tend to be much more work and can be very difficult depending upon how the instructor sets them up. First thing you need to do is to devour the website of the school where you will be starting. Then make appointment to take your English and math placement tests. You may want to see an advisor at this point, to get your questions answered in person. After you have your English and math placements, you can register for your first school term. Just make sure you don't overdo it.