How to handle different prerequisites?

Published

Getting started with this process, the nursing programs I've looked into all have different prerequisites besides the basic science classes (a&p, chem, bio). Some have as little as 5 classes, some have 10 prereqs. The program I'm most interested has 6 classes I need to take. How should I proceed? Should I try to take as many prerequisites as I can and apply to multiple programs?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology.

Hi!

I wouldn't waste time and money on classes you may not need. I would make a decision on the program that you like the most and go for it. It would be prudent to have a back-up, of course, but I would make the choice of program the priority and then take whatever prereqs are necessary.

Of course, if money and time are resources you have in plenty and you don't favor any one particular program, there probably isn't such a thing as taking too many classes ?

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm in a very similar situation as you where my schools of choice had different pre-reqs. I've applied to the school that I've already fulfilled most of my pre-reqs. If I do not get in then I'll move on with taking the pre-reqs for the other schools. Best of luck!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in RN, BSN.

OH man, I feel you on this one.

I would really discern which program you would most like to get into and mainly follow their pre-reqs. What state do you live in? I don't think it's that necessary to send out a ton of applications. If your grades are good enough, hone it down to maybe three programs max and see if you can't make those pre-reqs work for you. It's a little bit of a puzzle, believe me, but just prioritize which pre-reqs you think will help you most in the long run.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Remember the GPA for all the classes may be accounted for when applying. Where I applied, they took the GPA of all my classes, not just pre-recs. Have you looked into CLEP exams? I did CLEP exams for two of my classes, so I didn't have to waste a semester taking them. Most schools in the US will take CLEP exams.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
3 hours ago, Mooky33870 said:

Remember the GPA for all the classes may be accounted for when applying. Where I applied, they took the GPA of all my classes, not just pre-recs. Have you looked into CLEP exams? I did CLEP exams for two of my classes, so I didn't have to waste a semester taking them. Most schools in the US will take CLEP exams.

Thank you! I didn’t know about clep exams. Ill look into them!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MICU.

Check the fine details of the schools that require fewer prereqs.

For example, my school does not require chemistry for its nursing program, where all other schools in my area, do.

However, my school DOES require chemistry as a prerequisite for both micro and physio. So while they don’t require it for nursing school, to take the classes you need to take to get into nursing school, they require it. I have no idea why they do it this way. I suppose it helps a person out if they didn’t do well in chemistry as it’s not included in the nursing science gpa that is calculated separately from the overall gpa.

anyways, check to see if there are these classes you don’t realize you will actually need. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion