How long did it take you (or is it currently taking you) to finish all of your prereqs? I am so tempted to want to cram all of my prereqs into 3 semesters so I can apply for Fall 2011, but the 10 credit hours I'm taking right now during the 8 week Summer session is kicking my rear!!! I am starting to have second thoughts about taking 10 credits this Fall. :uhoh21:
Albeit, the 16 week Fall semester won't be quite as rushed and intense as what I'm doing right now, but I still wonder if 10 hours might be too much. I am just taking College Algebra, English Comp I, and Intro to Computer Info Systems right now and I am up until 2AM every night doing homework. :zzzzz This Fall, I am signed up for A&P I, Human Growth & Development, and English Comp II. I was planning on finishing everything up in the Spring with Micro and A&P II. That's 10 credits this Fall and 7 credits in the Spring to get all my prereqs done in time to apply for my CC's Nursing program Fall 2011. (I have a few credits that transfer from when I was in college 10 yrs ago, so this is what I have left)
If I try to spread it out any more, I will miss the deadline and will have to wait for the Spring of 2012 to apply for Fall 2012. Please someone, give me a big fat dose of patience and tell me to take it slow.....or tell me to go for it and chug full steam ahead through these classes.
We had 4 pre-reqs we had to have done before we could apply to the program. I took 3 of them Fall 2009, and the 4th one spring 2010.
I applied for entrance into my program for Fall 2010, and got in. So it took my 2 semesters to get my pre-reqs done. Yes, I took other classes while I took my pre-reqs and I also taught 5 classes each semester.
My advice to you would be take on what you KNOW you can handle, not what you THINK you can handle. Good organization and time management skills are a must!
It took me exactly 1 year. I already have a degree, so I didn't have to take English, Algebra, Humanities, etc.
I started last summer, taking 2 classes each summer term (Stat and Biol, then AP 1 lecture and lab), then 4 classes in Fall (Gen Psych, Sociology, and AP 2 lecture and lab), and 3 this past Spring (Life Span Psych and Micro lecture and lab). I was able to apply this Spring for the Fall 2010 admissions, and fortunately got in.
Good luck to you! I don't suggest rushing anything. If your program is like mine, getting As makes the difference in whether you get accepted or not. A lot of people crammed as much as they could into each semester, and ended up with Bs and Cs in their prereqs, and they were not accepted.
I took a total of of seven terms to complete my prerequisite classes. Fall of 2007 through Winter 2008/2009 continuously, plus winter 2009/2010 because I applied to a program which required Microbiology and Statistics prior to admission (which many other nursing schools in Oregon do not).
I'm glad I took my time and never crammed more than two tough classes in during one term. I worked part time so I could, combined with my financial aid, make ends meet. I even took electives, because I figured I wouldn't have the opportunity to do so while in Nursing School- I might as well learn some Spanish, Archery, and take a Comedy In Literature class along the way. The result- a 4.0 GPA without putting myself through undue stress (though it was still stressful- school always is to some degree).
Now I'm in an excellent nursing program, and couldn't be happier that I took my time and really learned what I needed to before applying to schools.
you have to do what works for you and your life - i went to a school about a 50 min drive from home - plus i worked full time. - went to a ASN program (so technically a two year) I did it in three - year one Everything except my nursing classes - year "2 and 3" was my Nursing so I just had my 8 credit nursing classed each semester plus the clinical portion - i was lucky we had 12 hour clinical days - so more days to work/study - I was single, worked full time, It was do able (not sure I'd want to do it again... but..) But that is what worked for me.. The hardest thing was not having anyone at home for financial support in a pinch, many of the girls I went with - thought I had it so easy - being alone - (study/sleep whenever) I Had to work - everyday becasue I didn't have a husband to pitch in a get groceries or the water bill ..
So figure out what you can manage - and go from there - but remember you will not have much spare time to do anything!!
It took me 2 full years of pre-reqs/co-reqs. By 2 full years I mean I took summer courses as well, which were a few of the sciences. For the fall and spring semester I took anywhere from 12-15 credit hours, and the 1st summer I took 8 credit hours and this 1st half of summer I took 3 credit hours. I have already been accepted into my program of choice this fall. I also have a husband and 2 young children, ages 4 and 2. I agree with the previous poster, I didn't want to go part-time and then slammed when I got accepted. I owe a lot to my husband who helped out a ton.
I'm in month 7 of 8 months to get all of the prerequisites done. I really like mini-terms and CLEP. Enroll in more than one school and you can take more than one course in a 3 week mini-term. By enrolling in two schools and passing a CLEP, I completed 9 semester hours in 3 weeks. I work full-time. Online classes are great. Use www.ratemyprofessors.com to make sure that the instructor clearly sets expectations and responds promptly.
jpchouston I know you said you took some clep test. Are'nt clep test gonna give you a "C". I thought it was hard to get in with a "C"
I know this wasn't directed at me specifically but I thought I could answer the question, too. At my school, CLEP tests do not have a grade or GPA attached to them, they provide you with credit in the class. I received credit for English 101 at my school based off my ACT score in English. The nursing program at my school didn't equate this as a "C" and they didn't for the year of American Literature I CLEPed out of either. In fact, they recommended CLEPing out of as many general education courses as possible to focus on nursing related courses and the sciences. I think it might depend on your school, though. It's best to contact the schools you wish to attend to find out their policies regarding CLEP tests.
You can do it! I took A&P and oranic Chen together and that was like 4 classes because of the labs! On top of that I took English, statistics and history that same semester. I managed to get A's and B+. It was anything but easy but totally doable. Go for it!
jpchouston I know you said you took some clep test. Are'nt clep test gonna give you a "C". I thought it was hard to get in with a "C"
It depends on the school. Medical schools are particularly bad about that, but nursing schools generally are not. It's like everything else in the application process, check, double-check, don't believe what you want to hear, verify, and check again later in case something changes.
Some applicants can survive one C. One C in 30 semester hours of course work lowers a 4.0 to a 3.8.
:bugeyes: 3 long years I am finally finished
mamacashew
53 Posts
We had 4 pre-reqs we had to have done before we could apply to the program. I took 3 of them Fall 2009, and the 4th one spring 2010.
I applied for entrance into my program for Fall 2010, and got in. So it took my 2 semesters to get my pre-reqs done. Yes, I took other classes while I took my pre-reqs and I also taught 5 classes each semester.
My advice to you would be take on what you KNOW you can handle, not what you THINK you can handle. Good organization and time management skills are a must!