Hello! I'm finally getting serious with my prereqs I have some questions about choosing schools to apply to, study tips, etc.

[synnical]

Hello! My name is Synn and I'm a pre nursing student. I have a few gen-ed classes done and I'm working on my main prereqs this semester (A&P I, quantitate reasoning, english II, childhood development, and information literacy). Half way through this semester I'll need to take the TEAS/HESI (possibly both if I want to apply to all the schools I'm interested in) and then send apps in... February I believe? Most schools won't look at Spring '20 classes since I'll be applying for Fall '20, but I'll be taking the remaining prereqs I'd need both for my top choice and other schools nearby (chem, bio, sociology, etc.). SO - here's what I'm curious about:

1. How did you guys choose which schools to apply for? Are you basing it off which schools take TEAS/HESI so you don't need to take both? Are you only applying for one? And how do you organize all the important info about each school you're interested in? I've heard people saying they use a word doc or spreadsheet but I have no idea how to organize it!

2. How many prereqs are you going to have done? My advisor provided me with the average point amount that nursing school students had when they were accepted. I'll be able to be above the average as long as I keep above a B in all classes, and above an 85 in HESI... RIP me.

3. Any study tips? I'm mainly worried about A&P. I have a BUNCH of books about A&P. A&P for Dummies, Incredibly Easy A&P... etc. How do you organize your index cards? By system, by location, by function...? So many possibilities!

4. Are you working while in school? I was able to take enough loans this semester to not have to work, but in exchange I won't be able to put anything aside into savings. I'm trying to find a part time serving job so I can take home tips every night, tops 2 shifts a week, maybe 15-18 hours.

5. Any other advice for someone who's trying to plow through their prereqs ASAP to apply for Fall '20?

Thanks in advanced!

[Etak, BSN, RN]

1. For me, I chose the schools I am applying to like this:

A) all accredited schools with a reasonable commute (1hr or less) with good NCLEX pass rates. All of your state’s schools’ pass rates and enrollment statistics should be available online.

B) cost figures in, as such, I’m looking only at state schools, not private

After this, that leaves 4 schools total in my radar. 3 are ADN programs, one is a BSN. They all happen to require TEAS only, so which test I needed didn’t factor into deciding where to apply. I don’t keep a spreadsheet. I just keep a calendar with deadlines and check the websites regularly for changes and updates. Enrollment criteria can change as often as every semester for various points and whatnot, so it’s important to check in at least once a semester. I also see my academic advisor every semester, she might know of changes before they even are updated on the websites.

2. this will really depend on your area, the impaction, and your school’s requirements. Of the schools I mentioned above, 3 of them require all prerequisites complete before being eligible to apply. The other allows you to apply with certain classes in progress but they have to be finished by the end of the semester. As such, I’m applying to that school with one class IP for spring 2020, the rest I’ll apply to for Fall 2020 once I am done with my last class, if I don’t get into the other first.

3. You’ll want to follow your instructor’s lead on this. They will assign the recommended books and will structure the class however they see fit. Generally, A&P is divided up by body systems, when studying each system you will learn the organs, within it, their structure, function, location, etc and how the systems work with other systems. Many organs will be a topic in more than one system. As far as studying, repetition is key for anatomy. You will need to go over everything many, many times. My main thing was taking notes, rewriting the notes in color, flow charts, drawings, etc then reviewing that over and over again. If your teacher gives a study guide, your notebook should cover every single item on that guide. In my experience, MOST teachers give an outline of everything you’ll need to know. Trust them that that is what you need to know to do well in their class and make sure you learn it! If you’re having trouble with a concept, there are many YouTube videos on that topic that will be very helpful.

4. While I’m not “working” with a job that brings in an income, I’m a stay at home mom of 5. I’m their primary caregiver basically whenever I’m not at school. If I didn’t have kids I could see balancing a part time job if I needed. But if I could afford to focus only on school and not have a job, that’s what I’d do. For me at this point however, there is no way I could manage a job, 5 kids, and being a full time student.

5. My honest advice to anyone: slow and steady wins the prerequisite race. The quality of your grades matters a lot more than the speed at which you take them. I’ve been working on my prerequisites to apply for spring/fall 2020 for 3 years. Often times it’s a competitive and strategic path into nursing school and burning yourself out or overloading yourself will cause more trouble in the long run than if you approached them with a slower pace.

Anyways, good luck! You’re asking good questions and things will become clearer the closer you get.