*HELP* Is it okay to take an extra semester to complete prerequisites?

[Mikayla9990]

I go to the University at Buffalo but entered in the spring semester rather than the fall semester due to issues. So, since I entered a semester late, the timing I have to take certain prerequisite classes is a bit screwed up. I am entering my second semester at this school and am realizing that I won't be able to apply for the program this upcoming spring semester due to the abundance of classes I would have to take in this upcoming fall and spring semester at once. So, I decided to spread my classes out over another 2 semesters and apply next next spring in 2021. Is this okay or should I rush? If I spread my classes out, I will not have enough classes to reach 12 credits each semester. Therefore, my advisor told me I would have to do a backup major (even though I only want to do nursing) to fill up those empty classes for financial aid, etc. Or should I spread my classes out in this upcoming fall semester, spring 2020 and then fall 2020, and apply to the program in the spring 2021 semester without being enrolled in the school and taking the extra unnecessary major classes that do not really have anything to do with what I want to pursue?

Sorry if this is really confusing but I am in vital need of help and support with making this decision!!! All responses are so well appreciated. Thank you so much!

[Waiting for Retirement]

I'm sorry I don't have great advice for you but it seems to me there should be an Advisor assigned to you who you could ask? Someone in the Nursing department who could best answer what your best course of action would be? That makes the most sense IMO. Best of luck to you ?

[Mikayla9990]

Note: I already talked to my advisor and she suggested adding another major but I don’t really have the funds to do another extra semester ....

[sarinamza]

I think if you were to force all of the prerequisite courses closer together it may be overwhelming... I think you choosing to spread them out is smart because these classes are hard. It’s honestly up to you, I personally have been spreading mine out because of how impacted classes are at my school.. It helped me a lot with keeping myself not overwhelmed . If you are 90% sure you can pack your schedule with prereqs and still do well , go for it !! Just keep in mind on what you know you can handle

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

Duplicate threads merged.

Welcome, Mikayla9990, to allnurses.com.

[heavwhit]

Yes, it is okay. I went to a private university and then transferred to a CC and just finished my prerequisites and it took me 2 years. Don't take anything unnecessary and just take what you need. Why add unnecessary stress when you can just focus on your pre-nursing courses and gpa? If you really need the financial aid then go for it but I would just make the load easier so you can have good grades in each course. Even if you're not a full time you can still receive some financial aid for being a quarter or half time student right?

[NewOncNurseRN, BSN, RN]

As a UB grad (not in nursing), I remember a lot of people having to pick up a second major as it also made them able to apply for the ABSN program since the traditional program was so competitive to get into. Could the counselor have been trying to recommend that as a back up plan?