Need advice on how to approach my pre-reqs

Silverdragon102, BSN · Aug 16, 2016

Moved to the Pre-Nursing discussion forum

amok · Aug 16, 2016

It might take a while if you only take one or two classes a semester, I've been chipping away at pre- and graduation requirements and taking things like my psych and nutrition courses online has been really helpful. I'm working full time, so being able to do the classwork without having to be on campus gave me way more wiggle room. I would definitely check out taking some of the easier courses online, I also had pretty good results "pairing" courses. I would suggest taking a challenging course with one you feel more confident about, when possible. My program also had a medical terminology course required, taking that while I was taking A&P was great because there was so much subject overlap. I guess it just depends on how quickly you want to be finished or able to apply, there's nothing wrong with taking your time.

RainbowHead · Aug 16, 2016

My program also had a medical terminology course required, taking that while I was taking A&P was great because there was so much subject overlap.

That's interesting. There is a note right below the list of coursework that needs to be done saying that I can take a Med Term course in addition to the pre-reqs, but it's not required. I'm strongly thinking about taking that, maybe online.

verene, MSN · Aug 16, 2016

I agree with the above poster. For courses like psychology and English that can be taken online it can be a good use of your time to do them that way. You still have to have the motivation and organization skills to make time during the week - but sometimes that time can be 6am in your pajamas if that's what works for your schedual. I would focus on getting the basic English and math done first as these are frequently pre-reqs to other pre-req courses and then pairing more time consuming courses like A&P and Micros with a less consuming course like psychology or nutrition.

gere7404, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2016

I tried to spread the load of more intensive courses over different quarters -- ie avoid pairing a science with a math or multiple sciences a quarter if possible.

Also, check the school's course catalog to make sure all the classes you need to take in person are offered on Mondays and Wednesdays to fit your schedule; I live in a rural area and many classes were only available on specific days or times (mornings vs evenings) based on the school year.

ItsThatJenGirl, CNA · Aug 16, 2016

I take all the classes I can online - most of the time, I can work ahead and get things done on my schedule. It's helped me so much. I take a full load, but generally only have one in person class to attend.

I think you should do what feels good for you. You don't need to rush and if taking two classes at a time is what works for you - do it!

amok · Aug 16, 2016

That's interesting. There is a note right below the list of coursework that needs to be done saying that I can take a Med Term course in addition to the pre-reqs, but it's not required. I'm strongly thinking about taking that, maybe online.

Having taken medical terminology early on was enormously helpful for me, it makes other materials much easier in my opinion. It sort of freed me up on a lot of straight memorization, once you're familiar with the prefixes, suffixes, and so on, you can sort of decipher new terms as you see them. I also definitely thought it was online course friendly and flashcards make it a breeze.

neogirl · Aug 16, 2016

You know what is best for you, but my only thought is that the longer it takes someone to finish a degree the less likely they are to finish. And all of those prereq classes taking 2 a semester would already take you two and half years plus whatever your actual program will be. Is there any way you can take more at a time?

medic981, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Aug 17, 2016

You know what is best for you, but my only thought is that the longer it takes someone to finish a degree the less likely they are to finish. And all of those prereq classes taking 2 a semester would already take you two and half years plus whatever your actual program will be. Is there any way you can take more at a time?

Neogirl has a good point!

...so that I can have time with my boyfriend and family and not drive myself crazy.

Your boyfriend and family will drive you crazy when you are in nursing school. What are you going to do when you start nursing school? Classes, clinicals, studying, care plans, and so on... When I was going to nursing school full time, I had little time for anything else. For me, it was all or none. My focus was on reading chapters, finishing lecture notes, completing the next assignment, getting ready for the next clinical, passing the next test, with grocery shopping, eating, laundry, personal hygiene and a few hours of sleep in between.

Holidays and semester breaks are all I had to look forward to until graduation. But then again I am an over achiever.

Erythropoiesis · Aug 17, 2016

I don't have kids but I also had two part time jobs when I was knocking out my pre reqs. I took a minimum of 12, usually 13 or 14 hours each semester. My advice is to get them all done as fast as you can. You'll rise to meet your study requirements even with a lot on your plate. I would think that you'll regret taking so long to get into a nursing program.

trcox1 · Aug 17, 2016

If you've never taken a college class before start with lifespan and comp1, comp1 is a writing class so you'll get used to the work load and lifespan has a similar format as the science classes to get you used to the pace. YOU NEED TO GET AN A IN A&P. This is the weed out class they use to decrease the number of applicants (because so many people drop out and fail) and often they will only concider your first grade in A&P. If you fail it you can of course re-take it for your transcripts, but the nursing program is still going to concider you as if you failed it. If you are really in no hurry take A&P by itself, or with dosage calculations (you'll ace it if you know how to cross multiply it's like 5th grade math). I had friends who had better GPA's than me who got waitlisted because they had a C in A&P and I got an A. Humanities are good classes to pair with labs too. I recommend sociology over philosophy. If you've got a "nursing mind" the crap they sell you in philosophy is going to drive you nuts. My school offered classes like swing dance and bowling for PE I took so I could bring my family with me and make if a weekly activity. Don't let the name fool you. Nutrition is not the food pyramid and papers on obesity. It was really hard. It is basically the chemistry behind food and goes so far as the chemical bonds and metabolic responses to different diets. Government and history are pretty much the same crap you learned in high school unless you are in a different state now. I know at least in Texas part of the requirement is Texas history which natives have memorized but really annoys imports.