how long did it take you to complete your PRE-REQS?

Curls105 · Apr 4, 2007

I did my pre-reqs at LaGuardia in order to attend an accelerated BSN program. It ended up taking me a little over a year to do all of them (I took between 1 and 3 classes per semester). I think that if you plan really carefully and don't work or anything it's possible to do them that quickly. However, you may fun into scheduling difficulties. Also some of them you have to take before others and will not be able to take at the same time. Good luck! Most of the classes at LaGuardia were pretty easy, especially if you already have your bachelor's in something else.

Wsmith16, ADN, BSN · Apr 5, 2007

It shouldn't take you no more then a year and a half and maybe even a year especially at LaGuardia as they have 4 semesters in one year. I took some of my pre-reqs there and quickly left because I had a bad prof in on of my classes. As with any school make sure you get a good professor. That helps a great deal. Go to ratemyprofessors as soon as you get their name.

Good Luck

drizzle · Apr 6, 2007

Helllo~

I took four of my pre-req at Laguardia CUNY (and one in City tech) as well before going into the nursing program... it took me one fall (3 classes) and a summer (2 classes) to finished....so i started march 06 at LaGCC and was done with all the prereq in summer 06 and i was in the nursing program fall06 and now i am in my second sem in a nursing program.

However, since i already had my bach. in psych at that time, like i already mentioned i only needed to take about 5 pre-reqs (all the sciences classes).. so i took 3 classes in spring06 and if i remember correctly i took A+P I, Nutrition in LaGCC and Micro in City Tech... yes i actually went to 2 colleges back and forth that semester to ensure that i can finish everything before fall to get into the program.... it wasn't easy... i mean it's doable but i remember i was so exhausted that semester. Another thing you should note and also was my reason of going to 2 school at the same time back then was because at LaGCC, micro was not allow be taken before A+P I and II was done... so think about it they are making you staying at least 3 semester inorder to finish everything!! (i am not sure if anything have changed since) :uhoh3:

so, since i didn't want to waste another semester, i went to 2 diff college at that time b/c city tech didn't have that rule.. they let you take anything as long as you paying as non-degreee student (yes it was expensive).... with all that said, what i am trying to tell you is, first of all, if you are taking 4 classes in Fall be prepare you will be pulling your hair out... i am kiddin but close to that point, it's not going to be easy.. and really i would suggest only 3 classes to max your chance of getting the highest grade.. And second of all, ask and make sure if you can take micro and A +P together in the same semester since you wanted to finished within 2 sem... (i really doubt LaGCC will let you do that).

so.. if money is not a problem (i spend about 2600 for that spring06 sem at those 2 school for 3 classes) and you dun mind traveling 2 school back and forth.... you *might* be able to make it a summer and a Fall.. but dun be surprise if you need to stay a sem longer since you have at least 6 classes to be done... yes lagcc has 4 semesters in a year, but keep in mind not everything will be offered... you have to plan really well, know what they will offer, know the time and rules....

Sorry this is long........i hope this helps and gooood luck!!

pcicurn7 · Apr 7, 2007

Absolutely, you can do it in one year. It will be a bit taxing on you, but definitely doable.

I did ALL of my prereqs in exactly one year, and i remember a nursing school counselor telling me "oh, that's too hard, i'm not sure if you will be able to do it. besides, why do you want to kill yourself for a year". Stupid man. Anyway, i thank my lucky stars that i did not listen to that man and forged ahead. I took 3 classes in the spring, 6 classes in the summer (our summer semesters were split into 2 sessions...i took 2 classes in school, and one class online, for each session), and the rest in the fall. Was it hard? you bet. But it all paid off when i got accepted into nsg school exactly 1 year after that old man told me i shouldn't bother.

good luck!

lullaby · Apr 7, 2007

thanks for all the feedback everyone! i guess my question for everyone is did you work also while you were taking your pre-reqs? i plan to take 3-4 classes at a time and am not planning on working but i might do some part time work if i feel like i can handle it.

it sounds like i will probably start the pre-reqs this summer and take them in the fall and probably next winter as well. my goal really is to be done with them at the end of next winter and then HOPEFULLY get into an accelerated BSN program that starts next May or September. I am going to apply to accelerated BSN programs throughout the country so hopefully I will get into one of them!

lullaby · Apr 7, 2007

I did my pre-reqs at LaGuardia in order to attend an accelerated BSN program. It ended up taking me a little over a year to do all of them (I took between 1 and 3 classes per semester). I think that if you plan really carefully and don't work or anything it's possible to do them that quickly. However, you may fun into scheduling difficulties. Also some of them you have to take before others and will not be able to take at the same time. Good luck! Most of the classes at LaGuardia were pretty easy, especially if you already have your bachelor's in something else.

hey Curls are you in an accelerated BSN right now? I think I remember that you are going to NYU? I'm just hoping it's easier for me to get into an accelerated program and I don't run into waiting list problems. it's so frustrating that it's so hard to get into nursing school these days.

pcicurn7 · Apr 7, 2007

I worked full time throughout nursing school. However, from what i understand, most accelerated BSN programs are full time and all day, so that might impact on how much you can work. Take it as you go. Once you are in a program, you will be able to figure out (every program is different). btw, Columbia also has an Entry to Practice program, just in case you wanted to know.

suzeeq · Apr 7, 2007

Hi,

I'm from overseas in the UK. We don't have pre reqs and I'm curious about what they consist of. Can anyone enlighten me?

Thanks.

Suzeeq.

Curls105 · Apr 10, 2007

HI Lullaby-

I am starting Suny Downstate's accelerated program this June and I am super excited and nervous at the same time. Please feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions about LaGuardia or Downstate. Good Luck!

MiaNJ · Apr 11, 2007

Hi,
I'm from overseas in the UK. We don't have pre reqs and I'm curious about what they consist of. Can anyone enlighten me?
Thanks.
Suzeeq.

They are referring to pre reqs mostly for Accelerated nursing programs, which are those for people who already hold a degree in another field and have taken most of the general education courses (which are a required part of most college degrees in the U.S., no matter what field, such as general science or biology, math, history, etc), but they need specific science requirements that they may not have taken as part of their first degree, in order to enter the Accelerated nursing program. These pre reqs are usally: Chemistry (some schools want level 1 and II, or organic chemistry), Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology I & II, Sociology, Statistics, Psychology. Some schools may want Nutrition or other courses.But usually it's the main science courses that are needed.

But for traditional nursing programs that are 2 yr or 4 yr program, often you can take all the science courses during the program. There are some that still have pre reqs before acceptance into the program. But usually during a traditional program, people can take all the science courses when they are accepted into the nursing program. Some programs are different though, and want to see that a person is competent in science courses like Anatomy and Chemistry before even accepting them into the nursing program, especially since there can be waiting lists for the traditional programs.

suzeeq · Apr 12, 2007

Hi MiaNJ,

Thanks for your help. They sound like a lot of work! I thought all that would be in the nursing program itself backed by a good education from school with the relevant exam passes. It's like that in the UK, more or less.