Education plan?

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Hi there!

I'm new to signing up here, but I've been lurking around for the past month or so reading posts and trying to find answers to my own questions. I've finally decided to go into nursing to get my ADN after a long time of doubting myself that I could ever do it, and instead of doing all of the pre requisites and gen eds at the same as the nursing classes within 2 years (I have no previous college credits under my belt), I'm going to space it out over 3-3.5 years for my sanity and work load ability, and get all of my pre requisites/gen eds done in a year and a half (as a liberal arts pre nursing student), and then take JUST the nursing classes over the next 2 years so those classes are all I have to worry about (1 class a semester, even though it's equivalent to 3 or 4 based on credits).

So my question is: What is your education plan? Am I the only one that is taking all non nursing classes first, and then JUST the core nursing associates (Nursing 1-4 or whatever your school requires) classes after?

When I read posts and I see people say nursing is the hardest thing they have ever done, I always assume its because they're taking the nursing class, along with a&p, microbiology, psych etc all at the same time like a typical ADN course outline says (though I'm not doubting that it's hard otherwise)...is that usually the case? I guess it depends on each person...

So, what's your education plan? And how is the work load based on the classes your taking all at one time?

I hope this all made sense! Thanks :D

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When you say, "nursing classes." Do you mean the actual classes that are in the nursing program you have to first become accepted to? Of course after finishing your pre reqs such as chem and AP?

Personally, I dont know anyone who has finished the ADN program and all prereqs in just two years...the pre reqs themselves usually take 1 to 2 years, and then you pray that you get into a program without a waiting list. Maybe Im just reading your questions wrong though...its finals week! sorry!

If you want to get your feet wet then find the school you are going to attend. Figure out what pre reqs are needed before you can apply to the actual program. Talk to an education planner at the school if needed. Take 1 or 2 classes at a time until you feel ready to take on more. I personally started with my English and Math then moved on to harder science classes such as AP. Once your prereqs and any other requirements are met then apply to any and every nursing program you can! lol.

Again, I hope Im helping here. Good luck!

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Thanks for your reply :) I think I've confused the both of us with my question! By 'Nursing classes" I mean the ONE class per semester that you would take that is all nursing (after all pre reqs are done)...so over 2 years you only take 4 classes total, because they're just one per semester. For example, the school I've applied to has a 2 year ADN program has a 2 year layout like this:

Year 1 (Freshman), Fall

College success

Nursing 1

A&P 1 (Co requisite to Nursing 1)

Intro to Psych (Co requisite to Nursing 1)

Year 1, Spring

Nursing 2

A&P 2 (Co requisite to Nursing 2)

Psych: Human Growth and development (Co requisite to Nursing 2)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Year 2 (Senior), Fall

Nursing 3

Microbiology (Co requisite to Nursing 3)

College Composition 1 (Co requisite to Nursing 3)

Year 2, Spring

Nursing 4

College Math

English elective

Other elective

..............So by 'JUST Nursing classes', I mean "Nursing 1-4" listed above, one each semester for the 2 year ADN course.

Of course, after all of the others (AP, Microbio, Psych, Math...etc) have been completed prior entering the nursing program.

Does this make sense now? Are there students that take the nursing program with the co requisites all at once like that outline demonstrates so they can complete ALL college in 2 years from pre reqs to nursing classes :eek:? Rather than a year or year and a half all pre requisites, then the following 2 the core nursing classes? I ask because that is a BUTTLOAD of work and would be impossible for me to do personally without breaking it up.

I feel like I'm probably confusing you more....Anybody get what I'm trying to say? If not, what is/was/has been your education plan as far as pre requisites go, and what your school schedule will be like once in the nursing program?

I'm taking all of the classes above that don't have the word nursing in them, over the next year and a half, and then taking just the nursing classes 1-4 the next 2 years so i only have to worry about one class per semester.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Clinical Documentation Specialist.

Hmmm. I have never seen a program like that. I am going into a BSN program, but here is what I did/going to do:

Pre-requisites and transfer classes:

Fall - Bio, English 1

Spring - AP1, Nutrition, Chem

Summer, Micro, AP2, Gen Psych

Fall (now)- Algebra, Human Growth & Dev, English 2, Anthro, Art

Spring - Interpersonal Comm, History, Stats, Music, Logic, Sociology

(Graduate with an A.S)

(University Nursing Program)

Summer - 2 nursing classes for entire semester

Fall - 2 classes for 1st 8 wk block, 1 for second

Spring - 1 class for 1st 8 wk block, 1 for second, 1 online for entire semester

Fall - 1 class for 1st 8 wk block, 1 for second, 1 online for entire semester

Spring - 1 for 1st 8 wk block, senior practicum for 2nd block, 1 online for entire semester

I happen to have the catalog for the ADN program at the CC I'm currently in and it shows:

18 credits/5 classes of pre-reqs....need 2 semesters for those alone.

Fall - 4 nursing classes

Spring - 3 nursing classes

Fall - 3 nursing classes

Spring - 2 nursing classes PLUS one general elective

What I have seen for schools around her in CO is that you need to do your non-nursing specific classes first (AP, Micro, etc) then they pile on the nursing classes. I have also heard of programs that mix them together like yours show. One nursing class seems kinda light from what I've seen - sounds almost part time. Did you get into the program that offered 1-4 only? If not, then I would find out if you are even able to do the classes first, it may be a mute point. I hope that info gives you a little bit of insight.

Good Luck!

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my school has a lot of prereq plus Associates degree requirements (math, activities, humanities....) the science pre reqs are impacted and we get registration dates on priority....basically the more units completed the earlier registration date.

So I started with the associates degree requirements which can be done at the same time as the nursing program. So, by the time I get accepted into the program, i will have no other classes that I have to do. I am glad I've done it that way.

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Most schools require A&PI and II, Micro, Human Growth, etc. before applying to the nursing program. I was very frustrated to hear that I could get my ASN after nearly 3 years of college. My first associates was a straight 2 years. I'm now in a BSN program and am burning out just getting all the prerequisites done in a timely manner. If you can afford the time to spread things out, go for it.

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i'm a little confused, but most nursing programs have you take the prereqs first (a&p1, a&p 2, and micro)

you then need to apply and hope to get into a nursing program. once accepted, the nursing classes are taken.

most students take the prereqs on a similar mode

1st semester

a&p 1 (co requisite to nursing 1)

intro to psych (co requisite to nursing 1)

2nd semester

a&p 2 (co requisite to nursing 2)

psych: human growth and development (co requisite to nurs

3rd semester

a&p 2 (co requisite to nursing 2)

psych: human growth and development (co requisite to nursing 2)

most apply to a nursing program at this point

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The local community college I am planning on attending accepts nursing students based on their GPA of their prerequisites. So here, you could not be in a nursing program *and* A & P (for example) at the same time.

Lord willing, I will be taking one prerequisite per semester, starting next month. I will do as many as possible online. Once they are all completed (which will take quite a while, but that is okay because I have a 5 & 8 year old) I will apply to the LPN nursing program. They also offer a bridge to RN which I may end up doing eventually. Baby steps for me! But I'm in no hurry, I am just preparing now for my future when my kids are older.

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Specializes in NICU.

I assume your program doesn't have "pre reqs" and mine doesn't either - it's direct entry and you take everything together. The example curriculum my school gives is:

Fall SemesterCredits

705:101Academic & Professional Development1 (F)1

355:101Expository Writing I3

119:127Anatomy & Physiology I (F)4

Anthropology/Cultural Studies Elective3

History/Political Science/Economics Elective3

Free Elective3

Total Credits

17

Spring Semester

920:101Intro to Sociology3

355:201Research in Diciplines3

705:223Trends in Healthcare Delivery (S)3

119:128Anatomy & Physiology II (S)4

Humanities Elective3

Total Credits

16

1 Required of all first year students. Not required for transfer students.

Sophomore Level

Fall SemesterCredits

119:131Microbiology3

119:132Micro-Health Science Lab1

705:229Life Span: A Holistic Approach (F)3

705:223Human Interactive Processes (F)3

960:211Statistics23

709:255Nutrition and Health3

Total Credits

6

Spring Semester

160:128Chemistry of Life (Organic Biochemistry) (S)3

120:245Pathophysiology (S)3

705:202Cultural Dimentions of Humans (S)3

Technology Elective3

Free Elective3

Total Credits15

2 Or equivalent inferential statistics course.

Junior Level3

Fall SemesterCredits

705:306Health Assessment Across the Life Span (F)3

705:307Nursing Care Provider I (F)2

705:310The Childbearing Family (F)3

705:311Nursing Care of the Childbearing Family (F)3

705:390Research Process in Nursing (F)3

705:395Pharmacotherapeutics (F)3

Total Credits

17

Spring Semester

705:314Health & Illness of Children & Adolescents (S)3

705:315Nursing Care of Children & Adolescents (S)3

705:320Health & Illness of Adults (S)3

705:321Nursing Care of Adults (S)3

705:322Nursing Care Provider II (S)2

Total Credits

14

3 All science and lower division nursing courses must be completed before you can progress to the junior level.

Senior Level

Fall SemesterCredits

705:409Psych Mental Health Nursing (F)3

705:410Nursing care in Psych Mental Health (F)3

705:415Health & Illness of Older Adults (F)3

705:415Nursing Care of Older Adults (F)3

Free Elective3

Total Credits

15

Spring Semester

705:444Community Health Nursing (S)3

705:445Nursing Care in the Community (S)3

705:498Leadership & Management in Nursing (S)3

705:499Senior Experience in Leadership & Management (S)3

Literature Elective3

Total Credits

15

Credits Required for Degree:

125

Everything is taken together, but in my situation, I went to a community college before coming here so I have completed what WOULD be "pre reqs" - like the general eds, sciences, etc. So when I start the program, I will only be taking the actual nursing classes (the ones with 705) even though other people will be taking them like listed above.

Make sure you talk to your school about it and take the right classes!

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Are there any direct entry nursing programs in or near the state of Illinois? Preferably between northern & central IL.

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