Help, completely confused (pre-nursing, entry-level jobs, etc)

Kuriin, BSN, RN · May 12, 2016

You could take all of your nursing prerequisites in two semesters. It just means you are going to be very busy.

Chemistry, Psychology, Microbiology - one semester

Anatomy, Physiology, and whatever else you may need in the other semester.

Because you DO have a degree already, I recommend you going straight into a MEPN-type program if you want to be a NP.

Quota, BSN, RN · May 12, 2016

I just started my pre-reqs back in February and I'm also a previous degree holder, though mine is a Biology degree. I only need 5 classes for my preferred accelerate BSN program, add of chemistry for my back up school. I'm taking all my classes online while continuing to work full time with a 1.5-2 hour daily commute. For the most part I don't have the time to take more than one class at a time but I AM taking condensed classes 8-12 weeks long. It's going to take me about a year to finish which works out great for me because I can't apply to the program I'm interested in until January for Fall 2017 admissions. If I have to take the chemistry class it will be in the Spring after applying to both schools and only if I don't get into my school of choice.

If you aren't working then I see no reason to not finish all you're pre-reqs in 2 semesters.

bgxyrnf, MSN, RN · May 12, 2016

I actually left my job because I had hit the glass ceiling (the only place for me to go was to take the owner's job, and he wasn't going anywhere).

Been there, done that.

Working for mom-n-pops suck.

Part of the reason I chose to become a nurse, actually.

bgxyrnf, MSN, RN · May 12, 2016

Because I need 4 science classes and she wants no more than 1 science class per semester, so 2 years. :| I can't wait 2 years.

Look, that philosophy is the biggest load of crap.

My first semester of college I took chem 1, calculus 1, and physics 1 along with mechanical systems (intro to engineering), english, and anthropology.

Every term after that was similar except that the classes became things like control systems theory, quantum physics, and advanced differential equations.

During my next course of study, a typical term was organic chemistry, cell biology, genetics, and analytical chemistry.

Prenursing was microbiology, human phys, statistics, and human development.

If you are smart and you are a good student, load 'em up and knock 'em out.

bgxyrnf, MSN, RN · May 12, 2016

Response in bold because I couldn't figure out how to multi-quote. Sorry. :\
Bollocks, I say. Math, science, and engineering students do it routinely so why not anybody else?
That's what I was thinking, but has anyone here done it successfully?

Lots of posts on these fora where people skewer this (somewhat pathetic, imo) advice. I personally have done it.

What does "OJT mean?

On-the-job training.

What are you doing now? Do you like it?

I'm an ED and ICU nurse. I do like it and I get paid a ton.

BTW, in these parts, many floor nurses earn more than NPs. I know several NPs who do that as a part-time 'hobby' job while working full time in the acute care setting to pay the bills.

Cat365 · May 12, 2016

My school didn't require all of the sciences be completed before beginning. All we had to have to apply was anatomy 1 & 2 for the sciences. I, brilliant person that I am, convinced my advisor that I could complete both in the same semester as a condensed eight week format. I took them at night while holding down a full time job. Along with a psych and an English class that didn't transfer. I received A's in all of them, but I almost went crazy doing it. I took the rest of my sciences over the summer between nursing semesters. You can do it if you want to. Tell your advisor that. Also see if there are any other non nursing courses you can get out of the way. Take two sciences at a time. Your advisor is likely used to advising students with less dedication and fewer study skills than you have.

p.s. I was also an older student with an unrelated degree and I couldn't afford to not work during the program. I stayed with my previous job full time until I couldn't because of clinical hours and then found a weekend job as a hospital tech.

Kharma711 · May 15, 2016

I worked full time through everything... now I had extenuating circumstances that led me to going to school part time until nursing school... I could have done it way faster...

That being said, I worked full time up until 1/3 of the way through my final semester and cut back to part time.. (luckily this was about the time my SO and I decided to move in together or I'd have killed myself working full time through the entire process)

Long story short... if you have the necessary dedication, do the classes in 1 year instead of 2 and worn whatever job pays the bills in the meantime. (I worked as a waitress until after graduation from nursing school and moonlighted as a bartender on spring/summer break)

You can do whatever you set your mind to, but do what works best for you and your family!

Good luck!! I have never regretted nursing school or the time after so far!

MomAndSonInMD · May 15, 2016

I worked all through my bachelor's degree and still graduated with top honors as well as through high school since I was 14yo. But while in the actual full-time, condensed BSN nursing program (not pre-nursing or ASN), there is no way to work full-time due to classes and clinicals. Possibly part-time (if one can study on the job, like working in an ER at night), if you don't tell the school. University of Maryland Nursing School and Hopkins Nursing School were both very adamant about nursing students in those programs not working, likely because they want students to do well to keep up their pass rates.

Miss Infermiera2b, BSN, RN · May 16, 2016

In my semester right before my RN program started, I took 2 science courses (with labs) with 3 other pre-reqs all together. With a job in the ER working nights. Managed to make straight A's that semester. I'm sure you could handle it.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · May 16, 2016

To the OP, 40 is young. My prerequisites took 12 months; looking back, had I wanted to go more insane, 6 to 9 months might have been doable. Some of my classmates took years because they spread out the classes so much. It really depends on what you want to put into it, and how many classes you are required to take.

MomAndSonInMD · May 17, 2016

In my semester right before my RN program started, I took 2 science courses (with labs) with 3 other pre-reqs all together. With a job in the ER working nights. Managed to make straight A's that semester. I'm sure you could handle it.

See, that's what I thought. Why these advisors give such poor advice is beyond me. Thank you. They also don't know who they are talking to. I won't eat or sleep if I need those extra minutes to ace an exam. I can't do anything half-way. I'm not looking for easy. I'm looking to get it done and get back to working full-time. Thank you.

Zelda, RN · May 17, 2016

You don't have to do what your advisor tells you. Take two science classes a semester if you want - just know that's usually a theory and a lab, so it would really be 4 classes a semester (or that's how my school did it).