I'm in my program, second year but did not take one prerequisite? What should I do?

203bravo, MSN, APRN · May 4, 2015

Pre-req is a requirement of the program and when they do you're degree audit for graduation, you will not be allowed to graduate if you are missing any of the requirements.

mississippikid · May 4, 2015

I wonder how in the world you got into nursing school WITHOUT A&P.

I'm about to finish up my second semester of nursing and was required to have A&P I and II before even beginning the first semester of my program. I would take it as soon as you can, I agree with GrnTea, you will not survive Med-Surg without a good understanding of it! I did well in A&P but I always have to review the body systems before I begin studying disorders.

VivaLaVespaGirl, BSN, MSN · May 4, 2015

I think you could get in trouble for NOT taking it. Is it possible you were conditionally accepted to your program with the understanding that you WOULD take A&P? I have never heard of a nursing program that does not require A&P as nursing relies so heavily on the concepts. Yes. Take A&P.

caliotter3 · May 4, 2015

Take it in the summer when you don't have other classes and you can concentrate on passing it. If you don't take it while you are taking the nursing classes, you will find yourself taking it in order to be allowed to take the NCLEX after you finish your program. That would not be a pleasant prospect.

augurey · May 4, 2015

It sounds like the OP's school is more of a direct admittance perhaps? My former school didn't require any pre-reqs. They taught them along side the other courses. If you took them, the credits transferred in and you didn't have to take them, but otherwise they taught them there.

The school I'm applying to now requires certain pre-preqs (Algebra I, chemistry and biology). The others such as psychology, English, Micro and A&P will be taught along side of the nursing courses as well (unless previously taken at a regionally accredited school).

Though if this were the case, I would think the school would have offered the course during the program.

OP: I think it would be a good idea for you to take it. A&P is a strong foundation for pretty much everything else you're going to learn. Out of curiosity, why do you think you'll get into trouble for taking it? Is it something that you were supposed to have prior to starting the program and it got overlooked or something?

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · May 4, 2015

A&P is an absolute yes. It is going to be the foundation for you in your Med-Surg classes.

beachlover1989 · May 4, 2015

Thank you everyone! I am going to take it this summer and really focus and get a good foundation for medsurg. Thank you :)

jetsy62 · May 4, 2015

Taking it in the summer is a really smart idea. Good luck.

PapaBearRN, BSN · May 4, 2015

Thank you everyone! I am going to take it this summer and really focus and get a good foundation for medsurg. Thank you :)

Are you currently doing head to toe assessments and providing patient care or are you just completing the lower level courses?

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · May 4, 2015

To clarify OP, a prereq is a prerequisite. That means it is required before you enter the program. You cannot get admitted without it. A coreq on the other hand, is a corequisite and needs to be taken while you are in the program. You need to find out the requirements for your program and take the required classes when they are required or you will not graduate.

beachlover1989 · May 5, 2015

Yes, I am providing patient care ans conducting assessments. I have done clinicals at a nursing home and a local hospital. Thank you for clarifying a correq and a prerequisite, I'm going to take the class without a doubt because I am realizing that it is so critical especially from everyone's opinion. Thanks again :)