Just Starting Out - Pre Req's

U.S.A. Oregon

Published

Hello everyone,

I've recently decided to switch majors from business to nursing. I've always wanted to do nursing but got stuck in business because the company I work for has been paying 100% for my tuition, not bad but I've decided I need to follow my dreams and be happy... SO....

I just started figuring out what Pre Req's I need to take for nursing at Portland Community College. I have all of these transfer worksheets sitting in front of me for Lindfield, OHSU, University of Portland, Concordia, George Fox, and a few more.

My question is how do you all decide which pre req's to take because all of these schools require different things! Some want you to take a full year of chemistry, others want you to take some other science classes. There are definately some common things like microbiology and anatomy and physiology, but still if I were to take all of the classes just so that I could apply at all of these schools it would A. cost a lot of extra money and B. take a lot of extra time.

Does anyone have any sane advice? Just pick your favorite school and satisfy their requirements?

This whole process is scary and I haven't even really started yet!

Thanks! :nurse:

The OCNE schools (OHSU, Mt. Hood, Clackamas) and PCC all have pretty much the same prereqs (except maybe one of two), and they also seem to have the fewest, which is nice. Linfield, UP, George Fox are all really expensive and have more prereqs, which drives the cost up even further. So, in terms of bang for the buck, I'd look at the OCNE schools and go with their prereqs. PCC is not OCNE now but is transitioning in a year or two. Hope this helps!

Thanks for your response. Well I understand the the community colleges have cheaper programs which require less pre req's but I want to make sure I'm not waiting for years waiting to get into them if you know what I mean.

What's driving me mad is for instance this: I am comparing University of Portland's Pre Req's with Lindfields. UOP requires you to take an entirely different science sequence than Lindfield does so in order for someone to be able to apply to both of these schools they would basically have to take additional courses just so that they could apply to theses schools. Same thing here with writing. Lindfield requires 2 writing classes, UOP requires one.

What is the difference between going to a private school over going to OHSU or a community school? Are the community school programs 2 year associate degree programs and OHSU and the other private schools are Bachelor degree programs right?

Phew, who knew this would be so complicated. Do you start out higher or get a higher pay for having a bachelor's degree over an 2 year? Any more insights would be more than welcome.

Thanks everyone!

Specializes in ICU.
Thanks for your response. Well I understand the the community colleges have cheaper programs which require less pre req's but I want to make sure I'm not waiting for years waiting to get into them if you know what I mean.

What's driving me mad is for instance this: I am comparing University of Portland's Pre Req's with Lindfields. UOP requires you to take an entirely different science sequence than Lindfield does so in order for someone to be able to apply to both of these schools they would basically have to take additional courses just so that they could apply to theses schools. Same thing here with writing. Lindfield requires 2 writing classes, UOP requires one.

What is the difference between going to a private school over going to OHSU or a community school? Are the community school programs 2 year associate degree programs and OHSU and the other private schools are Bachelor degree programs right?

Phew, who knew this would be so complicated. Do you start out higher or get a higher pay for having a bachelor's degree over an 2 year? Any more insights would be more than welcome.

Thanks everyone!

I would start with the OCNE school's program requirements. That will give you the largest selection of schools once you complete the prerequisites. Having that set under your belt will get you close to the other schools as well. For me (as an example) I had to take additional courses in Sociology and Anthropology to qualify for Linfield's Nursing Program - after having completed my other prerequisites.

OCNE Community College Programs: 2 Year Associates Degree w/ the option for 1 additional year to get your BSN.

OHSU Portland(Part of OCNE): 3 Year BSN program - no option for associates degree.

U of P: Junior entry into the program, 2 years to a BSN. They also have an alternate entry program for applicants w/ a BS. It is a MSN program taking 3 years I think.

Linfield College: Junior entry into program, 2 years to a BSN. Also have an accelerated program for people with a previous BS. 18 months to a BSN.

Thanks for the info that is great.

Does anyone know the impact of having an associate's vs. BSN in nursing is? Do nurses with BSN degree's start out making more per hour than 2 year degree earners? Do they start out higher on the chain?

Thanks!

Specializes in ICU.

My wife said it depends on the place of employment. For example Legacy does not pay more for a BSN. Some site that are union (she believes) do pay more for a BSN.

Overall they pay difference is small.

The biggest thing is for future plans. If you want to continue on a get a Masters or PhD you will need your BSN. For me, earning a BSN means I do have that option already open if I want to continue on to teach or be a practitioner.

I would start with the OCNE school's program requirements. That will give you the largest selection of schools once you complete the prerequisites. Having that set under your belt will get you close to the other schools as well. For me (as an example) I had to take additional courses in Sociology and Anthropology to qualify for Linfield's Nursing Program - after having completed my other prerequisites.

OCNE Community College Programs: 2 Year Associates Degree w/ the option for 1 additional year to get your BSN.

OHSU Portland(Part of OCNE): 3 Year BSN program - no option for associates degree.

U of P: Junior entry into the program, 2 years to a BSN. They also have an alternate entry program for applicants w/ a BS. It is a MSN program taking 3 years I think.

Linfield College: Junior entry into program, 2 years to a BSN. Also have an accelerated program for people with a previous BS. 18 months to a BSN.

:up: I second that advice. I completed the prerequisites for OCNE, which seem to be the base ones: It gives you the largest number of programs to apply to with one set of classes. Then you can add in the specific requirements of a specific school (such as Linfield, U of P, etc), which work nicely as "filler" classes between the more rigorous A & P and Microbiology, etc.

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