So I've just received my pre-nursing schedule at my CC and I only have 5 classes which is Biology 1, Biology 1 w/ Lab 1, Communications, College Algebra, and English 101.
So is it just me or does this not look like a pre-nursing schedule to you all? I seriously thought I was going to get atleast A&P or an introductory to nursing class, but now I think my advisor has scammed me. Did everyone else schedule look like this when they were doing pre-nursing?
We both took AP biology together even though she scored a 4 on it and I only scored a 3. But still a 3 is still good enough to take A&P. That's why I was angry because I felt worthless sorta.
Think about it: Might you not be better off to build a really strong foundation first? This is not just you, but many of the nursing students I teach have developed over-confidence and a distorted sense of themselves because they received inflated grades in HS. They are SHOCKED when they struggle in college, and often blame us for making things too hard.
How does this happen? It is simply easier for high school teachers to pass out good grades like candy rather than deal with the pressure from students and their parents if they don't. Nursing schools, however, have to make sure you can both be a safe practitioner and pass NCLEX. They are accountable to the State Board of Nursing for their NCLEX pass rate. If it is too low, the program will be put on a suspension list. They are making sure you will be able to succeed, even though you might want to rush through the program. Is that all that bad?
This comment is intended for you and all the others on this site who complain about prereqs: Were any of you part of a team that did an analysis of the knowledge and skills needed to be a safe, effective practitioner for today's diverse populations? Do you know what it takes to be a manager or team member in a complex healthcare systems? Do you know how to use data and statistics to analyze and improve the care you deliver?
Have you advised the National League for Nursing of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education on the critical components of nursing education? How you read the Institute of Medicine's Future of Nursing report? Do you know more than these learned professionals about educating nurses?
If you want to be a truly excellent nurse, realize that there is no easy, fast, cheap way to get there! And let's all stop thinking that it is OK for nurses to be the least educated persons in a meeting room when compared to all the other healthcare professionals around us. Let's stop arguing about what you have to know and do to be a professional nurse and just get it done.
You are not understanding how this works. You cannot take English 102 based on an ACT score. English 101 is going to be a prereq to 102. That is a requirement. Many BSN programs make you take Biology before taking A&P. Mine did not but only because I had it in high school. That was the requirement for my community college ADN program. There is a small difference there. Each school is different on their requirements. Your score of a 3 in AP Biology is probably not good enough for the school's BSN program that you are looking to transfer to. I am sure your advisor knows this. He scheduled you in the correct classes that will transfer. My first semester was A&P I, communications, and I think a med term class because at that time it was required for the degree. This was back in 99.
I started back in 2013. I then took A&P II, micro, English comp, and algebra. Then the next semester I took Advanced Physiology, Psych, Sociology, and Algebra II. Then over the summer I took College Algebra. But, I had to do remedial algebra for 2 semesters before I could take the college algebra. They were the prereqs for college algebra. I am so glad I had to take them because there was no way I could have taken college algebra and passed.
For most BSN programs, they require 2 writing classes. The lower level must be take before the higher level one. That's just the way it is in college. You I'm sure are going to have to take a bunch of humanities classes to get your BSN. BSNs require more humanities classes than ASNs do. That is why it is a bachelors. The core classes are pretty much the same for an ADN and BSN. The difference is the amount of prereqs. You need to sit down and look at a sample schedule for the nursing program at the school you are looking to attend. You can find them online. I think then you will understand why this is your schedule.
In high school, you get assigned to a guidance counselor, perhaps alphabetically or by homeroom. Your courses are often largely, if not completely, preordained, and you do not personally register for them, i.e., fill out the form and sign your name to it.
In college, you are more responsible and in control. If you don't like your advisor, you go get different one. I like the advice above that says, "Look at these courses as easy As to boost your GPA to help get into the nursing program and perhaps he's doing you a favor based on his past experience with kids like you."
But if you think you know better than he does, and don't like it, go to the registrar's office and change them. Not a great idea, but hey. Your parents will not be on the advisor's back or the registrar's back, because they will not discuss these with them. Now it's on you.
I took a biology class my first prerequisite semester before getting into A&P with college level math (my course was called quantitative reasoning). I also took two semesters of writing, sociology, two semesters of psychology and some other elective courses with physical education as well. I took chemistry too before officially starting the nursing program. I prob left some stuff out too, but I assume CC stands for community college, so it might be a little different for you.
I wouldn't worry so much if this is your first prerequisite semester in college. But you should ask your advisor for the required classes for all the years you're going to be in school if the classes you currently have now are concerning you, so you know what to look forward to the following semester and won't be surprised.
In my college, our advisors gave us a sheet with all the classes we have to take throughout all of our four years. I'm not sure if other schools do this, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
Those are typical pre-requisites/co-requisites for nursing programs. BIO is usually a pre-req for AP I. Most if not all programs make you have English I and II, Statistics and/or algebra, public speaking, psychology and a few humanities.
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Bio is a pre-req to any other science. You obviously didn't test out of in when you took the AP class. It doesn't matter what your ACT score was, you still have to take English 101 before you can take English 102. You had to take the ACT or SAT to get *into* college. Getting a high score on a particular section doesn't tests you out of a class. You're in the real world, college now.
And don't compare yourself to your friend. This is your life, everyone's path to nursing is different.
You are not understanding how this works. You cannot take English 102 based on an ACT score. English 101 is going to be a prereq to 102. That is a requirement.
That's not true. I recieved a P in English 101 and College Algebra based on my ACT scores.
Now I'm not saying that you necessarily should, but it can be done. I, for example, haven't ever taken either Engl 101 or College Algebra. On my transcript, I have credit for it though.
That's not true. I recieved a P in English 101 and College Algebra based on my ACT scores.
Now I'm not saying that you necessarily should, but it can be done. I, for example, haven't ever taken either Engl 101 or College Algebra. On my transcript, I have credit for it though.
Not every college grants these boosts. It is not reasonable to feel entitled to an upgrade without checking it out WITH THEM first.
I did tell him but he wouldn't listen. I even told him to place me in English 102 since I got a 26 in English on my act.
I got a 26 on the English portion of my ACT also, but guess what I didn't have pre-college? English 101. 101 is a prereq for 102.
You clearly lack some understanding of how all this works, also evidenced by allllll these practicing RNs/LPNs--who have of course been through nursing school--correcting your understanding. You've had an answer for every one of them.
Your advisor is a professional college guide, in addition to higher educator. The advisor's role is to advise you. You're telling him what classes to put you in? Really? Instead of listening with an open mind to what you need to do to prepare for the core nursing program.
Here's some sincere advice. If you want to be in this profession, you need a hefty dose of humility. You will have instructors who will demand excellence and who will have no patience for a know-it-all. You will graduate with your shiny new BSN, and you may work with an LPN who's been a nurse longer than you've been alive; she will have no patience for a know-it-all. You will have patients who know their own bodies--or their children--better than you do; they will have no patience for a know-it-all. You will make mistakes, you will come across situations unheard of during nursing school.
You won't know it all, and right now you don't know it all.
Take a moment to do a little research. Go to your school's website and see what the required courses are for admission to the program before you let yourself believe that your academic advisor is trying to redirect your career. The classes you're taking are pre-requisites for the pre-clinical sequence.
I truly hope that you don't think your advisor is "scamming you" because that mindset is going to haunt you if you do.
The classes he put you in aren't for nothing. You need them, regardless of your test scores in high school. Your ACT scores DO NOT replace college credits (not at any school by me, anyway- the only pre-college scores they accept are AP classes with a 4 or higher; which your best friend earned, thus explaining why you're in bio this term while she takes A&P.
Here's the scoop, to repeat what about 30 other posters have said:
English 101 is a requirement to take English 102. Your ACT score allows you the opportunity to sit for 101 and not remedial English.
Biology 1 and 2 are prerequisites for
A&P 1 and 2,
which are prerequisites for microbiology.
College algebra is a requirement, and it is a pre-req for what's probably another requirement- statistics.
Communications and/or speech are required, and at some schools you still have to sit for a placement test before they even consider your application for the nursing program- and if you fail that? You'll need a remedial course in communications.
I see you also have to take organic chemistry. Guess what? You need general chemistry to sit for orgo. You probably need bio 1 and 2 in order to take general.
For my program, I also had to take:
psych 101
human growth and development/lifespan psych
sociology
and statistics.
All of those classes are pre-requisites for all nursing classes. There aren't enough nurse educators to waste resources on "intro to nursing" classes for students who aren't admitted to a clinical program.
After reading what the PP wrote, I had to go back and see your responses to the advice you solicited by posting this thread. It would do you a lot of good to stop listening to reply, and learn how to listen to understand. Do yourself a favor and stop comparing yourself to your friend, doing so will only hold you back. She has AP credit, and therefore is ahead of you. Get over it. Do what YOU have to if this is what you want. It will take time. You're looking at 2 years of prereqs. This is the same amount of time every single one of us in an ADN OR BSN program have had to excel in in order to earn admission into our programs. Your advisor didn't take anything from you because you aren't entitled to anything. The sooner you learn this, the better off you will be.
I put two years into a BM (music) degree at a private college before transferring to a tech school for nursing. So that affected my requirements. I didn't have to take college algebra because I'd already taken calculus, went straight to A&P because I'd already taken human bio--both as general eds in my music program.
I think during my first semester at the tech school, I took Psych 101, Soc 101, Tech Writing, and A&P I. We had a bunch of prereqs before we started the "core nursing program." (what my school called it. Until we started that, we were called "pre-program nursing students.") Intro to Nursing, which you were wondering about not taking now, was taken in the first semester of core nursing classes.
That's 4 classes since bio and lab are one? If you don't work can you add a gen ed on? Bio is the easiest science class you'll have possibly and it can easily be taken with another science.
BTW I do think it's smart to question an advisor. Some just aren't good from the stories I've heard and my first experience with an advisor she told me incorrect information. She told me I could take a class in the spring when it was only offered in the fall. So don't be afraid to question.
Adding: I just realized there's 6 replies of pages and my reply probably isn't going to say anything new! But good luck op and try to get anatomy and phys.
Adding after reading most replies: I took cellular biology after A&P. I guess it's just a matter of the school. Make sure you look at what is required for each class you want. Don't feel bad about a high school or college grade compared to anyone else. That emotional toll is a waste of time and will take away from what really matters now, getting your bsn. Keep these grades good so you have no trouble transferring to the 4 year school. Read the stories on allnurses about students with low gpas who can't get in and learn the lesson now. Don't play around take this seriously and own it. Look up the info you need, ask questions on here when you need to, and be one step ahead.
Imo good first semester classes are the foreign languages, psych, a&p or whatever science you have to take first, English and college algebra. I had to be in remedial math first that I took over the summer. Communications seems like a good filler to go along with the core nursing classes but I don't know. Look at the bsn school's example schedule.
And...maybe my school is different but while I've gotten good info and respect my advisors I've had to plan some things myself. One example was that because I took survey chem 1 and 2 I could be exempt from the required healthcare chem. My advisor didn't tell me that and signed me up. Later I found out and got dean permission for exemption. I also didn't take all the advice for my prerequisites. I took the order for what I know what I'll handle better as long as it doesn't conflict. I prefer that. I get good advice but make my own informed choices.
cnmbfa
151 Posts
Think about it: Might you not be better off to build a really strong foundation first? This is not just you, but many of the nursing students I teach have developed over-confidence and a distorted sense of themselves because they received inflated grades in HS. They are SHOCKED when they struggle in college, and often blame us for making things too hard.
How does this happen? It is simply easier for high school teachers to pass out good grades like candy rather than deal with the pressure from students and their parents if they don't. Nursing schools, however, have to make sure you can both be a safe practitioner and pass NCLEX. They are accountable to the State Board of Nursing for their NCLEX pass rate. If it is too low, the program will be put on a suspension list. They are making sure you will be able to succeed, even though you might want to rush through the program. Is that all that bad?
This comment is intended for you and all the others on this site who complain about prereqs: Were any of you part of a team that did an analysis of the knowledge and skills needed to be a safe, effective practitioner for today's diverse populations? Do you know what it takes to be a manager or team member in a complex healthcare systems? Do you know how to use data and statistics to analyze and improve the care you deliver?
Have you advised the National League for Nursing of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education on the critical components of nursing education? How you read the Institute of Medicine's Future of Nursing report? Do you know more than these learned professionals about educating nurses?
If you want to be a truly excellent nurse, realize that there is no easy, fast, cheap way to get there! And let's all stop thinking that it is OK for nurses to be the least educated persons in a meeting room when compared to all the other healthcare professionals around us. Let's stop arguing about what you have to know and do to be a professional nurse and just get it done.