First time nurse student in CA....info on prerequisites

U.S.A. California

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Well, I am a first time Nursing student. I am graduating HS this month (May 2010) and going straight into CC on June 21.

However, here is the problem:

In order to be considered for acceptance into the program (which begins in February 2011 and therefore graduates the group in Feb or May 2013 as RNs after we pass the exam), we must have completed all of these prerequisites (preferably with 3.5+ GPA to be considered):

  1. Microbiology 2
  2. English 1A
  3. Physiology 2A & 2B or Anatomy 25 & Physiology 1
  4. Prealgebra
  5. Speech 1 or 10
  6. Psychology 24 - Lifespan (birth to death)
  7. Nutrition 11
  8. Political Science and History or American Institutions 125
  9. Humanities
  10. Intermediate Algebra

Is there a way I could take half of these classes online? I was thinking Brigham Young or University of Phoenix could wing it. However, I am a little uncertain as I am a freshman in college, and if I do do that, what's going to happen? Two transcripts? Will the staff say anything?

And, also... I am not sure exactly which class is what 'cause most sites label them differently. :eek:

Sorry if this is the wrong section, thanks to anyone who could help as I am LA (CA) native.

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Hi! I am also a resident of L.A. county. It sounds like you are wanting to apply at PCC? I am taking those EXACT pre-req's there so that is why I assume as each CC has it's own little spin on their version of pre-req's.

I moved here from AZ a little over a year ago and I plan to go to school full time starting this fall to get my pre-req's done. Currently I work full time so right now I'm still taking a class or two online through www.riosalado.edu This is a CC based out of AZ and about 80% of the classes they offer on campus they also offer online. I know what you mean about the course numbers being different from one school to the next. You can get an idea of if it's the right course by comparing the two course descriptions. When in doubt, just call the CC in which you think you will be transferring that credit to and they should be able to give you an idea.

Starting this fall, I'm going to attend school full time to get my pre-req's done and over with!

Good luck!!

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Hi! I am also a resident of L.A. county. It sounds like you are wanting to apply at PCC? I am taking those EXACT pre-req's there so that is why I assume as each CC has it's own little spin on their version of pre-req's.

I moved here from AZ a little over a year ago and I plan to go to school full time starting this fall to get my pre-req's done. Currently I work full time so right now I'm still taking a class or two online through www.riosalado.edu This is a CC based out of AZ and about 80% of the classes they offer on campus they also offer online. I know what you mean about the course numbers being different from one school to the next. You can get an idea of if it's the right course by comparing the two course descriptions. When in doubt, just call the CC in which you think you will be transferring that credit to and they should be able to give you an idea.

Starting this fall, I'm going to attend school full time to get my pre-req's done and over with!

Good luck!!

I guess I can take half the classes online (5) and half on campus in PCC (5).

Thanks so much for the link. They closed right now and I'm going to register on Monday. What a lifesaver! I just hope I am able to finish those 10 from June to August with at least 3.5! It's be a nightmare if I didn't! :eek: I'm well aware I'm not going to be able to see much of my house for awhile but that's fine with me as I took two years off normal HS to do independent study, which had its ups and downs with my bad luck of a social life.

Anyway, thanks once again! Good luck in the fall at PCC! I guess you're hoping to apply for their Fall 2011 Nursing program? 'cause Spring closes September 20, 2010, and they expect everyone had an entire year to do it.

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No problem! We all need to stick together some ways work for one and not the other and we all need to be able to rely on eachother for information. This is why this site is so AMAZING.

Okay, as far as RioSalado, you will be an out of state resident, so you will have to pay out of state tuition which is a LOT more than you would be used to paying at a CA CC. The resident rate in CA is $26/unit for CC and in AZ is $71/unit. Then you have to pay out of state tuition which I'm not sure what it is for AZ (you can ask Rio Monday) Their whole process to become a student and register is so simple. The 3 classes I have taken online were Nutrition, Psychology, and PreAlgebra. I love online classes but it will take a LOT of discipline and research on your part since you will be taking the class from your computer. They have videos and you read your book and that is about it. Then when you take your Mid-Term and Final, you will need to have the exam proctored here in CA (I do mine at UCLA and I have that information when you need it too :) )

I have applied to an LVN school that will start in September (if I get in) which is 12 months. Then I will do LVN-RN Bridge at PCC. Otherwise, I will just do PCC for a year and finish Pre-Req's for RN. I would recommend RioSalado if you can afford to pay the tuition. Another cool thing, my nutrition book, I purchased the digital copy which you can download on up to 3 computers!! I have one on my home desktop and one on my laptop So I don't have to worry about lugging around a big textbook! I have nothing but great things to say about this school if you haven't noticed :) Again, it has taken more discipline as I can only ask my instructor questions via email since I do my homework late at night and you don't get to bounce ideas around in a group discussion that often.

Another cool thing about RioSalado is that their classes start EVERY Monday! They aren't on a semester term so you don't have to worry about "missing" a start date. The website that you submit all your homework on and get your lesson plans from is extremely user friendly. Tech support has also been very helpful. Okay, Okay...I could go on forever. Lol. :clown::):bugeyes:

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Forgot to also mention that they offer 8 week classes or 16 week classes so it gives you the option to accelerate your learning and get done faster. Just take one online class to start to familiarize yourself with the discipline, how you are going to study, and how to use the website with a class, etc. Remember, school will always be there, so the important thing is not to rush, focus on being a good student and getting good grades. Even if it might take you longer, so BE IT!

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No problem! We all need to stick together some ways work for one and not the other and we all need to be able to rely on eachother for information. This is why this site is so AMAZING.

Okay, as far as RioSalado, you will be an out of state resident, so you will have to pay out of state tuition which is a LOT more than you would be used to paying at a CA CC. The resident rate in CA is $26/unit for CC and in AZ is $71/unit. Then you have to pay out of state tuition which I'm not sure what it is for AZ (you can ask Rio Monday) Their whole process to become a student and register is so simple. The 3 classes I have taken online were Nutrition, Psychology, and PreAlgebra. I love online classes but it will take a LOT of discipline and research on your part since you will be taking the class from your computer. They have videos and you read your book and that is about it. Then when you take your Mid-Term and Final, you will need to have the exam proctored here in CA (I do mine at UCLA and I have that information when you need it too :) )

I have applied to an LVN school that will start in September (if I get in) which is 12 months. Then I will do LVN-RN Bridge at PCC. Otherwise, I will just do PCC for a year and finish Pre-Req's for RN. I would recommend RioSalado if you can afford to pay the tuition. Another cool thing, my nutrition book, I purchased the digital copy which you can download on up to 3 computers!! I have one on my home desktop and one on my laptop So I don't have to worry about lugging around a big textbook! I have nothing but great things to say about this school if you haven't noticed :) Again, it has taken more discipline as I can only ask my instructor questions via email since I do my homework late at night and you don't get to bounce ideas around in a group discussion that often.

Another cool thing about RioSalado is that their classes start EVERY Monday! They aren't on a semester term so you don't have to worry about "missing" a start date. The website that you submit all your homework on and get your lesson plans from is extremely user friendly. Tech support has also been very helpful. Okay, Okay...I could go on forever. Lol. :clown::):bugeyes:

Are all ten courses available on the website? I was dumb so I took Prealgebra for freshman year in high school still. I will ask my CC counselor if that transfers. I am addicted to the Internet and, as a matter of fact, used that for Independent Study. So I know how it goes. Just that this will be more of a university-level and require more responsibility than HS training wheels. I want to take as many online as possible! :yeah:

That's what I'm seeing so far from these places. Good site designs, helpful staff with more than enough time on their hands. Hey, if it benefits us, I've got nothing to lose but a faster degree, which my teachers praised me for. :redbeathe

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Forgot to also mention that they offer 8 week classes or 16 week classes so it gives you the option to accelerate your learning and get done faster. Just take one online class to start to familiarize yourself with the discipline, how you are going to study, and how to use the website with a class, etc. Remember, school will always be there, so the important thing is not to rush, focus on being a good student and getting good grades. Even if it might take you longer, so BE IT!

Wow, that is generous! I'm choosing 8 week courses for sure, I'm home everyday anyway! At this rate I definitely beat the deadline by finishing everything by July and still getting a break as the summer courses at PCC end July 30 and application period is from late August to September 20! Now I just need to pass all ten classes with at least 3.5 GPA. I'm pretty confident they won't have any doubts about me taking advanced credits for summer session at PCC, though, because I worked really hard and ended up with a 3.6 for my senior year of high school.

I'm really confident of what I'm going to do now! Thanks! :up:

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You are most welcome!!! And yes, they do offer all the pre-req's online. Just be sure to talk with the counselor/advisor at PCC and see if they can do an evaluation to make sure that the classes are the right ones before registering and you will be fine.

Take Care!

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You are most welcome!!! And yes, they do offer all the pre-req's online. Just be sure to talk with the counselor/advisor at PCC and see if they can do an evaluation to make sure that the classes are the right ones before registering and you will be fine.

Take Care!

One last thing: I noticed one or two classes require prequisites (AKA college courses I have not yet taken). Oh, man. :eek: Don't make me wait!!! I'm going to try and perusade them to let me take both at the same time.

Do you finish off whenever you want in the college courses or do you have to wake for the deadline to add the new class? What if I finish my prerequisite in a week?

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That I am unsure of, but that is the beauty of the 8 week class I guess! You can take the pre-req for the pre-req and be done in 8, then decide "okay, the pre-req for this BIO class was a little tough on 8 weeks, so I'm going to opt for 16 week next time"

I have always decided to wait until I'm done with one pre-req before I do another to gage where I stand academically and make sure I'm not loading myself up too much. Since GPA is such a big thing to admission into the program, my goal is to keep my GPA in tip top shape rather than finish ASAP. It's way too competitive out there in the Nursing world for me to get panicked and lose myself academically. Does that make sense? :twocents:

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That I am unsure of, but that is the beauty of the 8 week class I guess! You can take the pre-req for the pre-req and be done in 8, then decide "okay, the pre-req for this BIO class was a little tough on 8 weeks, so I'm going to opt for 16 week next time"

I have always decided to wait until I'm done with one pre-req before I do another to gage where I stand academically and make sure I'm not loading myself up too much. Since GPA is such a big thing to admission into the program, my goal is to keep my GPA in tip top shape rather than finish ASAP. It's way too competitive out there in the Nursing world for me to get panicked and lose myself academically. Does that make sense? :twocents:

Unfortunately, this means if I wait two months then it will be around July 10 (8 weeks, remember?) when I finish. I'm going to have to jump right into the second class that needed my prereq for another 8! Because the deadline to apply is September 20! So I better finish before 9/11 anniversary! :down:

Yeah, I do. But I just can't wait to hurry to get out into the world. It shouldn't take that long for me. Though I probably will have to work on that, as one of my teachers used to say, "You do do very well, you are a bit of a fast talker and worker. Although if you had had more time to work than you would probably have gotten better grades." Need to improve. I bet I'll be like, three days before the deadline finally trying to get in by submission in this way. Working all summer and I don't mind, since I've got nothing else to do, anyway.

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Did you have any luck with getting the information you needed this week?

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