Would love some advice!

GingerSue · May 3, 2007

would anatomy and physiology be suitable?

Kat0430 · May 3, 2007

I think the most basic pre-requisites are usually A&P I&II with labs, microbiology, general chemistry and human growth and development. If you have these, you should be sitting pretty nicely. I am assuming you already have things like English Comp, General Psych and such from your previous classes for your BA in Childhood education. Considering how tough A&P, Microbio and Gen Chem can be, these are best taken prior to entrance into a program regardless of if they are "required". I have many classmates who are taking A&P in conjunction with our nursing classes and they have a much harder time (and certainly NO life outside school). Good luck and congratulations for taking the leap and following your heart!

sam027000 · May 3, 2007

I'd think you'd be safe taking Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology. There are a number of other courses that most schools require, but you'd need to look into the specific school. That's going to be hard b/c of your situation. My school's prereqs were A & P 1 & 2, Micro, Chem, Psychology, Human Growth & Dev, Sociology, Statistics, and Intro to Computers. Those courses were in addition to the University core requirements like english, history, government, art, algebra, etc. I opted for a BSN program, but I think a lot of the prereqs may be the same for ADN programs, although I bet they will require less core classes.

Good Luck to you!!

:)

Mommy TeleRN, RN · May 3, 2007

Are you planning on an ADN or BSN program? If ADN then many only require A&P I/II for sciences..if BSN then you will most definitely need Micro and "maybe" Chem (In my area chem isn't required, I have it anyway because I was like you..had no idea what school I was applying to)

Other gen ed you probably already have: Humanities, Speech, English Comp I, General Psychology, also a Growth & Development Psych class...those are pretty much for sure gonna be givens... If you are going for a BSN then one-two history classes and a lit class and another humanities. Again you may already have most of this.

crissrn27, RN · May 3, 2007

For my ADN I had to have A and P I and II, micro, and chem. So for ADN or BSN I would feel "safe" taking these. Also, a lot of places are offering a math for nurses as a separate class, even if that didn't transfer, it sure would come in handy!

CaitRN2be · May 3, 2007

Thank you everyone! I'm going to research this a little more.

Also, I forgot to mention I will be going for my ADN, not BSN. So if more people could respond who got an ADN I would appreciate it so much, thank you!

fultzymom · May 3, 2007

I would say start with the basic classes required for the majority of the colleges. Your A&P, Pathiophysiology, biologies, ect that way you have them out of the way et you know they are required for nursing.

Trauma Columnist · May 3, 2007

Hi there! Fellow military wife here. Our first assignment (I was active duty USN) was at Yokota in 1979 (I know I'm old - lol). We got married at the chapel and had our first son there too - loved it.

Anyway, back to the subject at hand - I was in the same boat - wanted to get pre-reqs out of the way. I'm going to give a little bit different advice - finish your bachelors degree in ANYTHING now. Than...apply once you get stateside to an accelerated program.

Don't take your pre-reqs overseas because it is not worth the effort. I had to repeat too many classes. Believe me, micro and A&P must be taken with a lab and usually must be fairly recent too.

If you have a bachelors degree in anything, (even gen ed), you can then apply for an accelerated program and go from there.

Good luck.

CaitRN2be · May 3, 2007

Thanks all!!

TraumaRus-

We have a friend at Yokota!

I don't have any problems getting the pre-req's done. We have two colleges on our base, Central Texas college and University of Maryland. Both are regionally accredited and offer all the classes I'll need including A&P I&II w/ lab. I just don't want to end up going overboard and taking a bunch of classes that won't be required for admission.

Trauma Columnist · May 3, 2007

Hi again - I actually have an associates degree from CTC (from when we were stationed in Alaska - lol). Again - it is best to find out what nursing school you will be attending prior to doing pre-reqs. One of the schools I went to required 4 hours of A&P while another required 5 hours, the same with micro - usually a 3 hour micro class isn't enough.

EGKB · May 3, 2007

I am doing my prerequisites (for an accelerated BSN program) at my local community college. The prerequisites for my BSN program are A&P I&II, Chemistry I&II, Micro (all with lab), Intro Psych, Intro Sociology, Ethics, Statistics and Intro to Computers (this last one is subject to waiver).

The prerequisites for the Associate's Degree program at this community college are A&P I and Medical Terminology (which is extremely helpful whether or not you need it - I find that I'm often at an advantage in A&P thanks to Med Term!). This college also allows you to take the non-nursing course requirements (English, Humanities, etc.) before you start the program, since there is a 2-year waiting list.

Keep in mind that if you DO end up taking classes you don't need for the Associate's degree, like Chemistry and Statistics, they ARE required if you decide at some point to continue your education to get your BSN... so it's not a loss by any means! Good luck!