Maricopa CEP co-req

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.

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.

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!

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