Is anyone else having issues being able to apply to more than one nursing program

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I've been browsing different nursing programs and noticed that they all have vastly different prerequisites that they require. I've started back school the past couple semesters and have taken most all the prerequisites for Kennesaw State's program, and will be applying to that. I've looked at Mercer, Ga State, and Brenau, Emory, and a couple other programs and they require a couple classes I haven't taken, and I already have a lot of science under my belt. I feel like if I want to apply to some other programs, i'd literally have to take at least two more semesters of prerequisites. It's almost a con to get you in school longer spending more money. Another thing is some programs require the Teas, and others Hesi..

Anyone else having these issues?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Lack of standardization has always been a problem and there is no solution in the works. Sorry you are having to deal with this mess.

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Specializes in PCT, RN.
Lack of standardization has always been a problem and there is no solution in the works. Sorry you are having to deal with this mess.

Couldn't have said it better, HouTx.

This is a very common issue and it's a huge pain.

I was very lucky and was able to get into my first school of choice on my first try. Try to focus on one school and study your butt off and jump through all the admissions hoops. If you don't get in, work on some more pre-requisites from other schools and then reapply to your first choice again and apply to your second choice.

Good luck! I hope they get some standardization someday.

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Yes same problems in NJ! I have all my pre-req's finished for my community college and sent in my app but if I want to apply to another school I have to take a physics course, another school requires physical education, another requires history. I don't want to waste my time and money on classes I don't need so I'm hoping I get in on the first try.

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I agree with a previous poster pick your first choice and work on all their classes, once you have them all, apply and if you don't get in, while you wait for the next cycle to apply start working on pre-reqs for the other programs.

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I have to agree with everyone. It is a very normal issue. The good part is that we have options. Everyone's path is not the same, so it is great to have some variation. I also love the fact that we're not limited to four year colleges. There are so many bridge programs out there now, that you can be a RN sooner and then go back and do like two or three semesters to get you Bachelors. Which is my plan right now. Make the best decision for YOU. Some schools are more closely matched than others, so aim for the two with the least amount of time. You can always get a bachelors later, while working. AND your job will probably reimburse you!

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

It's a very common issue. When I first realized how different all of the programs pre-reqs were I started keeping a spread sheet of schools I'm interested in applying to and which courses and exams (and anything else) are required for each program. That way I can make sure to check off everything from all programs I'm interested in. I can prioritize coursework based on it applying to most schools or to top choice programs, and leave off other classes if I'm not as sold on the program or it only applies to one school.

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That is why you prioritize. Fulfill the requirements of your first choice program first, then deal with Plan B, C, schools one by one, after you've determined that you are going to apply to them because your first choice did not offer you a seat. If all the schools standardized their requirements, that would make sense and you know we can't have that!

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Specializes in Adult Cardiac ICU.

I'm a student in GA so I've been dealing with the exact same requirements.

I actually made a folder with all of the different programs' prerequisites and I'm trying to knock them out in the most efficient way possible. Too bad I realized this two years too late. :-(( Also, GA State's traditional program is a three year program. Wasn't expecting that. Their accelerated program lasts the typical two years, but supposedly you won't have time to work or have a life.

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Yep, it's an across the board issue. In New York, my school requires Organic Chemistry which I took. A lot of schools don't require it, however, some schools require Nutrition so I had to rule those ones out. Another school I applied to requires Algebra on top of my statistics and speech as well. It's a super headache. I feel your pain hunny. I am waiting to hear if I get accepted into my first choice, Lehman College. If not, gonna have to go back to the drawing board :grumpy:

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