Imortance of Order of Prereqs

frnzy · Dec 18, 2009

The first classes ~I~ would take would be the ones that are basic prereqs to get into real prereqs. Like let's say you need English 101 to get into Psych 101 (which is an actual nursing prereq at most schools), then I'd take English 101 ASAP. Same thing with Math or Intro Biology. Let's say Intro Biology and Math is a prereq for Anatomy and Physiology. I'd take the Intro Bio or Intro Chem as soon as I could arrange it.

Sprinkle the "fun" classes one per semester while working towards completing all the prereqs. This is just my 2cents. Taking that gym class the same semester you take Microbiology and A&P2 would be a nice, easy (but required) stress release that semester.

Justanotherday · Dec 18, 2009

Sounds like very good advice, thank you for the reply! I am taking a "crash course" in January (3 hours/day for two weeks) for Human Growth and Development and then an intro to Biology class this spring.

caliotter3 · Dec 18, 2009

It is a good idea to take the classes like English, etc. first, because you, for the most part, never have to take these classes again. They don't "age" like anatomy, physiology, and micro. Take the science prereqs last so that you get the longest use of their time limit (five [or other] year time limit). This is while you are waiting and waiting on a waiting list. If you are aware of different circumstances (such as no waiting list, or a short one, or maybe the school has a ten year age limit for the science prereqs or you are jamming up classloads because you don't have money to drag it out) you can adjust accordingly.

jennylouwho · Dec 19, 2009

To get into our nursing program, you have to have all your pre-reqs and core classes done. So, what I did was look at which classes those ended up being. Then, I went to see an adviser.

It ended up that I could take my science core classes over three semesters (well two and a summer) and work all my other classes around them, without having to double up on any sciences (and I had one extra summer too without any core science courses). The important thing is to figure out what you need to take before you can take something else. As a previous poster indicated, you might need Eng before Psych (I did not) - but those are the things that will be helpful to know in laying out your plan of action.

So, look in your course catalog. Look online. Make a basic plan. Then go see an adviser or counselor to see if you're really on the right track.

luvs637 · Dec 19, 2009

Just so you know, even if you finish all the non-nursing classes first, you may not be able to finish the program in less than 2 years.

At my community college, you cannot finish in less than 2 years because you cannot take any of the nursing classes early. For example, if first semester you only have Nursing 101, that doesn't mean you can just add on Nursing 102. Nursing 102 cannot be started until you've completed and passed Nursing 101.

Justanotherday · Dec 19, 2009

Yes, that's how it is at my community college, too. I'm in no hurry to finish (hence the snail's pace of one prereq per semester) as my youngest children are only 5 and 8 and we homeschool. I really don't have time for more than one class at at time (I also work part-time).

Veganmom · Dec 20, 2009

If you're homeschooling, you might want to consider taking online classes yourself.