Maricopa CEP co-req

[CamMc]

I've been bouncing back and forth between the general ADN program and the CEP program. I already have a Bachelors in Social Work and a Masters of Arts in ABA, prior to my bachelors I had been in a nursing program so I have a lot of the pre-reqs already completed, but from over 10 years ago. Since I have my two previous degrees I have about 90K in student loans, so using financial aid (grants) is not possible and I have a very limited amount of student loans available. I'm working on paying off my other non student loan debt right now and at the pace I'm going would have it all paid off in the 2 year waitlist window to do the ADN and be able to pay out of pocket for the RN program, then look at any remaining loans for doing an RN to MSN program. However, I realize that in the next couple of years the requirements are shifting to most hospitals requiring a BSN, which would make it hard to do the ideal of getting an RN job after graduation and then being able to afford a program like that while working. This has me reconsidering the CEP program, I could potentially start sooner and end up with a BSN and if I aimed to apply in the Dec-Jan application window and start in the fall of 2020, I would at least be closer to being able to afford it.

With that in mind, looking at the various CEP university programs, GCU is out of the picture for me (I have a big worry about the religious aspect of their school and the fact that a "ethical and spiritual decision making in HC" class in required), so with that being the cheapest option, FPU, Ottawa, or NAU seem to be the next cheapest, with FPU and NAU requiring the fewest additional credits (30). Ottawa and NAU both require Human Pathophys and my big question is how much is having taken A&P and potentially micro important for success in Pathophys? I took Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology all over 10 years ago and had been planning on re-taking them one at a time over the time I would be on the waitlist for the ADN program, but if I'm going to spend more on the CEP program, I don't know that I want to waste time and money repeating a lot of courses.

So biggest question, how important are A&P for doing well in Pathophysiology?

[araew2129, ADN]

I think you could refresh yourself on A&P and be successful in patho. A solid A&P foundation is absolutely crucial to understanding the disease processes, but I had classmates who did not have a great A&P instructor and still did well in patho by studying a lot. The disadvantage, in my book, is that they didn't seem to grasp the "why" concepts behind the facts of the diseases as much as some of us did, who had great A&P instructors. Also, my patho instructor was really great and did refresher lessons outside class time on some important A&P concepts for those who struggled (like cardio, acid/base, and fluid/ electrolytes). So if you had a solid base on this info the first time around, it will likely come back with some brushing up. I didn't really experience too much need to concentrate on my microbiology material, and only needed to brush up a tad when we studied infectious diseases.

Side note, I too have concerns about the GCU religious affiliation, but I hadn't seen anything about a ethical and spiritual decision making in HC class... can you point me in the direction of this info? I'd really like to look into this before I decide on GCU!

Second side note, everyone I've talked to in AZ has said that, at least in our state, getting hired with an ADN isn't problematic at this time. And I expect you (as well as myself) will have obtained a higher degree by the time it becomes pressing to do so.

[CamMc]

Thanks! That's good to know, while I continue working full-time until I'm in nursing school, it's going to be hard to take more than one class at a time, so the fewer pre-reqs I need to retake the better. My school before did a semester of anatomy and a semester of physio, rather than AP 1 & 2, so I'm not sure if I need to take both over again, or if just one will work. I ended up taking anatomy twice, I got a D the first semester, partly due to a really tough instructor, but the second time I got a B.

Yeah, I'm not as much opposed to learning about religion, but I worry about the implications of religion influencing healthcare. Part of that concern is because I'm transgender and, unfortunately, it is often the evangelical churches that are more adamantly against people in the LGBT community. I would hate for that to become an issue. I found the class in the CEP program guide here...

https://www.maricopa.edu/sites/g/files/vmcrws441/files/pdf/hce/GCU_BSN_CEP_Brochure.pdf

It was for the BSN program, it doesn't show anything like that class specifically for the MSN program, I just don't know how to go about delicately asking the program for clarification, I know they are no longer for-profit, but I imagine the up front response would be that it's nothing to worry about, that all students are welcome, but who knows once you're in the program.

That's also good to know about people not having an issue getting an RN position with an ADN, I guess i just worry since they are requiring magnet hospitals to have 85% of nurses have a BSN by 2020, that with me not even being able to start the traditional ADN until 2021 most likely, that by the time I finish there will be little room for just an RN. I'm not sure how many hospitals in the area are Magnet or are looking to be magnet, and whether hospitals would consider my other degrees in addition to the RN, in replacement of an actual BSN. I definitely have every intention of pursuing at least a BSN if not an MSN once I am an RN though.

[araew2129, ADN]

In Tucson, none of our hospitals (we have 7, including the VA) are magnet at this time. One of them was (Banner UMC) but gave up that status during a recent renovation. I believe they will begin trying to get the magnet status back next year. Might be worth looking into the hospitals in your area which you may look at for employment to see how many are magnet before you make a decision.

And yes, I'm sure actually asking GCU advisors won't be helpful... their job is to sell their program to us ? Maybe look for students or former students on these forums? I can see how it might be a big consideration for you. If I go with GCU, my plan is to just keep my head down and avoid the religious aspect, if it presents itself, and to look at healthcare delivery without that lens.

If you are considering retaking a A&P course, physio is much more important than anatomy, and specifically A&PII out of the A&P format classes. In fact, I am volunteering as a teacher's assistant in A&PII right now to refresh myself on that material before nursing school starts!

Good luck to you on whatever you decide!

[Apple-Core, ASN, BSN, RN]

Hi -

I would definitely recommend brushing up on your A&P and Bio classes. They are going to give you fundamental understanding for your patho. In my opinion, they are crucial to your success in nursing school. Most of the professors will approach their lessons with the assumption that you have that base knowledge, so if you don't (or it's rusty) then you'll be left struggling, which isn't ideal obviously.

I would suggest narrowing down your options of universities then having them take a look at your transcripts and seeing how many classes you can transfer in - obviously the less you need to take the better in terms of saving money.

GCU would be an option (if you can overlook the religious stuff) for you to take the CEP Masters route, since you already have your 2 degrees. Your Bachelors does not need to be in nursing to do this (at least, it wasn't - check with the community college to be absolutely sure on that).

Each University has its pros-and-cons. The cheapest option would be GCU for the Masters, but if you decide to take the Bachelors the cheapest 2 are likely to be NAU or Ottawa because they will take quite a few transfer credits from your previous degrees. NAU has more pre-reqs (although you may already have them from previous credits), whereas Ottawa only has 1 or 2.

HTH