Most useful Pre-reqs

Lennonninja, MSN, APRN, NP · Oct 17, 2009

I think that Microbiology and Advanced Physiology (A&P 3 at my school) have both been tremendously helpful so far. I can't imagine going through this without having those classes already!

Rednights · Oct 17, 2009

I'm not going to lie .. I wish I was FORCED to take Spanish. Well that's more a clinical setting than passing your NCLEX =)

RNMeg · Oct 17, 2009

My program had Patho and pharm as concurrent nursing curriculum classes..they weren't pre-reqs. They don't require biochem or o-chem at all. I felt fully prepared to succeed in my BSN program with just A&P I and II and microbiology :specs: You probably don't need these classes ahead of time to pass. However, if there's a waiting list for the nursing program, you might want to take them anyway to get ahead or to start getting yourself familiar with the material. Best of luck! :up:

Music in My Heart · Oct 17, 2009

If your program doesn't require a class then it's probably not really needed in order to be successful.

Real biochem and o-chem are upper division chem classes (1 year each) that are WAY beyond the scope of nursing. The basics of each should be covered in the typical 1-year survey course common to many nursing programs.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Oct 18, 2009

Hi All, I'm applying for a RN program and noticed that the local college only requires A&P 1 and 2, Microbiology, and Chemistry (for the science requirements). I've noticed that so many other schools require organic, biochemistry, pathophysiology, and pharmacology. I'm worried that I may not be fully prepared (I'll be a 2nd degree student) and am thinking that maybe I should take some of the other courses on an audit or pass/fail basis. I don't want to fail nursing school or the board exam. What would you recommend, all comments appreciated. THANKS

My current school only required A&P 1 and 2 and Micro for the science pre reqs (my previous school required those and Chem and Organic Chem so I have those done as well but here only the BSN requires the Chems) anyway, Pathophysiology was considered a CO Req that could be done prior to starting nursing school or had to be done before 3rd semester and Pharm is taken during nursing school here and you are not allowed to take it early. Find out if any of those are taken during your program, sometimes they will allow you to take some before and sometimes you have to wait until your in to take them.

CuriousMe · Oct 18, 2009

My school required all three A&P's, micro was a co-requisite. The only chem required was a pre-req for A&P, not a required course for the program. Is A&P 3 not required at all, or is it one of those classes that you can apply without, but you need to have it completed before your nursing classes finish?

Anyway, yeah, I used what I learned in A&P three in my program. I don't know how your A&P was structured but for us...whatever systems weren't covered in A&P 1&2...was covered in 3.

Micro was a co-req, but I did it ahead of time. Pathophysiology and pharmacology are considered nursing classes in our program...they're not taught by the science department, they're taught by our nursing instructors.

As far as useful classes that weren't required....chemistry hands down. As I said there was a one term basic chem class that was a pre-req for A&P....but I went back and took the full year of General Chemistry. I originally took it so that I could take my upper division electives in Molecular biology (I'm weird, I enjoy studying protein folding disorders and the like)...but found I really enjoyed Gen Chem!

Once I started my nursing program and got into patho, I was SO surprised how much my chem knowledge helped me out. Especially when we covered topics like fluid electrolyte balances, or even Acid/Base balance (I understood why my patho book went in to the Henderson–Hasselbalch equation, as well as even the basics like the bicarbonate buffer so much better...instead of kinda grasping it and memorizing the formula, I understood how it all worked).

I'm in my second year of my nursing program this year (a Junior). For my upper level electives, I'm taking organic chemistry (instead of molecular bio) this year and I'll take one term of upper division biochem next year. With those classes, I'll be able to graduate with a BS, major in nursing, minor in chemistry. (my school doesn't give BSN's they give BS with a major in nursing). So, yeah...for sure I think my chem classes have helped me out. :-)

All that being said...out of 54 of us...I think like 4 of us have had the same level chem classes as I have....and everyone else is doing fine :) So, take a course if you're interested and want to develop a further understanding....but don't stress about thinking you need to fill in holes. If you have the classes they require, you should be more than fine.

CuriousMe · Oct 18, 2009

I'm not going to lie .. I wish I was FORCED to take Spanish. Well that's more a clinical setting than passing your NCLEX =)

You could force yourself? :-) I have a friend who's minoring in Spanish. :)

acubed · Oct 18, 2009

THANKS so much everyone!!! The spanish comment is soooo funny, because I had just looked up the schedule and saw a "medical spanish" course and decided that I would take spanish 1 & 2 then the medical spanish. It's definetely a necessity and a great resume booster! I think I will survey/audit a chem class, and take A&P 1 spring along with Microbio, then A&P 2 this summer. I've never heard of A&P 3, maybe they call it something else. These are actually co-reqs, but bcse I have kids, I rather get it out of they way so I can have time for my family during the nursing program, plus I need enough study time to really grasp the concepts. If I take these three, then I'll only need to sign up for my nursing classes (and spanish :wink2: )

CuriousMe · Oct 18, 2009

THANKS so much everyone!!! The spanish comment is soooo funny, because I had just looked up the schedule and saw a "medical spanish" course and decided that I would take spanish 1 & 2 then the medical spanish. It's definetely a necessity and a great resume booster! I think I will survey/audit a chem class, and take A&P 1 spring along with Microbio, then A&P 2 this summer. I've never heard of A&P 3, maybe they call it something else. These are actually co-reqs, but bcse I have kids, I rather get it out of they way so I can have time for my family during the nursing program, plus I need enough study time to really grasp the concepts. If I take these three, then I'll only need to sign up for my nursing classes (and spanish :wink2: )

Hmmm...now that I think about it, I'm guessing you don't have an A&P 3 because you're on semesters?

My school (both where I did my pre-reqs and the university where I attend nursing school) are on quarters. So a full year of A&P is 3 class (Fall, Winter, Spring).

Clear as mud? :)

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Oct 18, 2009

THANKS so much everyone!!! The spanish comment is soooo funny, because I had just looked up the schedule and saw a "medical spanish" course and decided that I would take spanish 1 & 2 then the medical spanish. It's definetely a necessity and a great resume booster! I think I will survey/audit a chem class, and take A&P 1 spring along with Microbio, then A&P 2 this summer. I've never heard of A&P 3, maybe they call it something else. These are actually co-reqs, but bcse I have kids, I rather get it out of they way so I can have time for my family during the nursing program, plus I need enough study time to really grasp the concepts. If I take these three, then I'll only need to sign up for my nursing classes (and spanish :wink2: )

It's a smart thing to do, I did the same thing, made use of my time sitting on the waitlist and got everything done I could so now in nursing school I only have actual nursing classes to do.

LovingLearning · Oct 18, 2009

In addition to those mentioned, I took Physics. Surprised myself and got an A...and it comes in handy. It's not directly RN school related, but I understand things better and techniques come more logically to me, because I understand the principles behind it (eg smaller lumen = higher pressure -> HTN/BP (and it's medications), needle choice, barrel choice, and so on). Sounds kinda dumb, but I'm glad I took it.

I wish my second language was anything but sign language...spanish would've been good...

Best-

Lovin' Learning