How long should prereqs take?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I just met with an advisor at my school to find out what classes I should take next and I learned that it will take me 4-5 more semesters to finish my prereqs. Which would be 6 totals semesters. I'm in community college. Is is just me or does this feel way too long? How long did it take everyone else to complete prereqs?

Some students take only one class at a time (nursing prerequisites), in order to insure A grades and competitiveness. As long as one has the patience, money to hang around, and they don't let their prerequisite courses expire, that can really drag out the process. It depends on the individual as to how much they can handle each term successfully. It also has a lot to do with whether or not the required courses can be obtained each term. Many schools are so crowded that it is impossible to finish at a good rate of speed, no matter how academically adept the student.

I had 19 classes to take before I could apply to the BSN program I'm in. I did 5 full semesters and a summer session. I did take intro to algebra classes though, since it had been so long since I'd taken any kind of math and I wanted to make sure I was prepared.

That does seem like a lot of classes for a two year program. The ADN program at my community college had two semesters of pre-req's.

Specializes in Neuro.

That sounds par for the course. You not only have to take nursing pre-reqs but general study pre-reqs at the same time. That sounds not far off, goes with the territory. Good luck.

Only two prereqs?! My god I have

Eng 101, Com 101, Psy 101, Soc 101, Hist 101 and 102, Math 120, Bio 189, Bio 223, Bio 224, Bio 251. And this is only a community college

1. Not being a highschool graduate your community college might require some remedial math or writing classes depending on your entry test scores.

2. Most of the classes you're describing aren't really "prereqs" per se but are just the general education requirements for Associate of Science in Nursing.

3. Some community colleges will allow you to take general education classes along side your nursing courses, some won't.

If they won't allow that, then it's typically cheaper and faster to knock out your AA plus the science prerequisites, and then transfer to a university for your BSN.

1. Didn't have to take remedial math or english, I used my ACT scores. I said I'm not a high school graduate as I have my GED and am finishing up my first semester.

2/3. All classes I listed have to be completed before I can be accepted to their nursing program.

2/3. All classes I listed have to be completed before I can be accepted to their nursing program.

Well glad your ACT got you out of those.

As for the other general education courses you listed.....

Eng 101, Com 101, Psy 101, Soc 101, Hist 101 and 102, Math 120, Bio 189, Bio 223, Bio 224, Bio 251. And this is only a community college

That's 11 classes. Most of which are just 3 credit hour courses.

You could knock out: eng, psy, soc, hist 101, and one of your bio courses which will most likely have a lab in one semester for just 16 credit hours. And that takes off almost half on your list.

See how many are offered online by your community college, so you don't have to physically go into campus. Eng, com, psy, and hist will all be easier if you take them online as well, as long as you have the discipline to motivate yourself to stay on schedule and hand in assignments.

At most those classes shouldnt take more than 3 semesters.

Example- Between this past fall semester and this spring semester I knocked out: A&P 1 and 2 with labs, Chem with lab, Microbiology with lab, Research Writing, Human Growth and Dev, Human Nutrition, and a state required Humanities course. So 8 classes and 4 labs over 2 semesters.

So if you put in the time required it can be done.

Only two prereqs?! My god I have

Eng 101, Com 101, Psy 101, Soc 101, Hist 101 and 102, Math 120, Bio 189, Bio 223, Bio 224, Bio 251. And this is only a community college

From my schools website: ""Evidence of minimum math proficiency is required prior to application to the program. A student must have either: completed MATH 0309 or MATH 0310 with a minimum grade of "C" or achieve placement into a college level math through an assessment test (THEA, Compass, ASSET, or equivalent) or complete a college level math course with a grade of "C" or higher. If you need assistance, please visit an advisor on a *** campus.

Completion of the following prior to applying:

BIOL 2401, within the past 5 years (before admission)

ENGL 1301 (before admission)

RNSG 1301, within the past 5 years" (at any time before semester 2 of ADN)

There are a handful of other AAS requirements built into the nursing curriculum. I also already have a BS degree so math wasn't necessary. I'm doing RNSG 1301 (Pharmacology) this summer but am already admitted.

The first time I was going to do nursing was a traditional BSN, you didn't officially begin nursing until your junior year. Years 1-2 were not only the science courses, but theology, philosophy, math, english, history, etc.

That all being said, I think 4 semesters as pre-reqs for an ADN is high. You should get an associates in 4 semesters, full time. To do that before entering the 2-yr program is a bit much. If you were transferring to a BSN program that would make more sense to me...

You can also speed things up by taking summer/mini-semester courses. I did my English 1301 (I retook it for the A because my B wasn't competitive enough) and A&P I in a concurrent 8-wk mini-semester. You could do an additional 3+ classes, easily, over the summer.

The list you have is more along the lines of what is needed to be admitted to a BSN transition program in my state.

I think that's why it's so much longer too - because it seems to be set up towards going into a BSN program. I checked the BON website and my school is the ONLY ASN program offered in my city. (and I live in Vegas not a small town) The six semesters I mentioned is including summer semesters and full time course work

Specializes in Emergency / Disaster.

It seems like the flip side to this is that if you plan to get a BSN, you will already have some of the required credits to get there. Typically you need 60 hours of undergrad "stuff" in order to get the BSN.

I already have a BS degree and if I choose the ADN or ABSN or BSN program they are all 4 semesters for me. I don't understand 2 years of pre-reqs for an ADN. My ADN school had 1 year of pre-reqs and then 2 years for the ADN (3 years total). That program also put you within 3 semesters of a BSN also. It really just all depends on the program.

Why on earth do you need 4 biology courses? I get A&P1, 2 and Micro. What else is in there?

Regardless - good luck! You can do this!!

Okay to get a real handle on this I googled the course description for Southern College of Nevada, ADN program and compared to one of our local college ADN programs.

Pretty much the same.

SCN requires two semesters of pre-reqs (35 credit hours) and 4 semesters in the ADN (34 credit hours) for a total of 69 credit hours and six semesters.

Our local college, St John's River State College, requires 5 semesters and 72 credit hours.

What you are seeing is fairly typical.

The 4 bio courses are bio 189 - fundamentals of life science

Bio 223/224 - A&P 1,2 and Bio 251 is micro.

If I wanted to immediately get my BSN, instead of a RN, I wouldn't be worried as much, but that's just not my plan.

Not sure what you found when you looked it up, but my degree sheet says 72 cr hours and 7 semesters.

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