Need help...I want to start my pre req's for Rn program.

windmill182 · May 15, 2011

My experience is really only in the ADN route...

Different colleges are going to ask for different things. In general, you take Anatomy and Physiology, Micro, Chem (sometimes). If you already took these classes, and the school will accept the transfer of credits, then usually they have to be completed within a certain amount of time. Meaning you had to have taken these classes usually within 5-7 years from when you apply to the Nursing program. (Again, different rules for different schools.)

A lot of schools will also ask for some type of Med term, Developmental Psych, a cetain math level, Engl 101, etc. This is where it can become a headache because, again, different schools can ask for different things.

I did a lot of online classes, but I definitely recommend taking Anatomy and Physiology in person. You probably will be required to because of the labs. However, I have heard people finding their ways around this. (Blows my mind. I think the lab is great for hands on learning.) A lot of colleges offer classes several times a day though. Could you take night classes, or classes that work around your current work schedule? I worked fulltime doing my Pre-Reqs and knew a lot of others who did the same.

Best advice would be to research different schools in your area. Pick the one you feel is best for you and meet with an advisor. Good Luck! : )

Elle_Guerira · May 15, 2011

hello ,
my name is kris, i have 9yrs experience as a phlebotomist and m.a., i have finally after all these years decided to take some classes towards the rn program....i have always wanted to be a ped's nurse, and worked as a ped's m.a. for 3 yrs and loved it!
1. is there such a thing as taking pre req classes on line? ( i work full time at a hosp)
2. i've heard that some classes are not transferable depending on what nursing school i go to , is that true?
3. anyone have a list of classes that are required? i went to a trade school....so its a whole other ball game doing classes at college.
4. any good nursing programs anyone would recommend? in southern california???

1. is there such a thing as taking pre req classes on line? ( i work full time at a hosp) yes. i don't recommend taking your science courses online (a&p, micro, chem). most programs won't accept this, especially the lab component.

2. i've heard that some classes are not transferable depending on what nursing school i go to , is that true? make an appt. with a counselor because it truly depends on the nursing school. check the nursing school's contract agreement. i'm assuming you're in california. use assist.org to see which classes are transferable. this website only shows transfer information between ca community college and csus and ucs.

3. anyone have a list of classes that are required? i went to a trade school....so its a whole other ball game doing classes at college. again, depends on the program. make an excel spreadsheet to help you differentiate which nursing programs requires what pre-reqs. but the general consensus is a&p, micro, chem, english 101, psych & soc.

4. any good nursing programs anyone would recommend? in southern california??? i would apply to any, namely a bsn program since some socal hospitals are turning to magnet status and would prefer a bsn graduate. but i won't completely shoot down an adn one. a good nursing program is one that'll help you prepare and pass the nclex. check each school's pass rates at http://www.rn.ca.gov/schools/passrates.shtml.

Streamline2010 · May 15, 2011

hi, kris. here is a list that i put together last year, after i'd studied many rn degrees and diploma rn programs requirements:

beware that many high schools nowadays are either offering college level english and science classes as part of the curriculum, or they are allowing students take college classes and use those in place of standard high school fare. so, scrutinize the nursing school's pre-admission requirements, because some of them kind of bury it in there that you need college chemistry or general biology or basic human structures, or something, but they assume that you got it in high school or before you applied to nursing. sample of hs requirements for an associate degree rn (i lifted this from an online catalog):

a.high school requirements
completion of the following with a “c” or better:
4 units of english
3 units of social sciences
2 units of mathematics (one of which is algebra)
2 units of science (one of biology and one of chemistry)
with a related laboratory or the equivalent
or
successful completion of the g.e.d. test.
persons out of high school for five or more years:
unless college level courses in chemistry or biology (not
human biology) have been completed with a grade of
“c” or better within the five years prior to admission to
the program, such courses will be required for acceptance.
(chem105, principles of biological chemistry is
strongly recommended.)

the "big 8 or 9" always required, for most college programs or diploma programs i looked at:
human anatomy
human physiology
microbiology (might be general, or might be a special nursing-oriented one, so check what's accepted by your program.)
nutrition (you might need one that makes you do diet plans - definitely check what your nursing program accepts or requires.)
english i -- college composition i
psych -- introduction to psychology
psych -- human growth & development
chemistry - freshman chem, 1 or 2 semesters, for some diploma programs. you need it for bsrn. so take it anyway.
cpr for health care providers and possibly also including a customized first aid training
required for most college degree programs and "maybe" for a diploma rn:
chemistry -- freshman chemistry , one or two semesters; possibly a survey course of organic chemistry
college algebra - it will never hurt you. you need algebra for pharm calcs.
comp 101 -- general computer use course for using microsoft office
english ii -- business and professional speaking
phys ed -- at least one semester; maybe two
soc 101 -- principles of sociology
sometimes:
ethics -- usually a philosophy course
psych -- abnormal psych (you need it for bsrn anyway.)
stat 101 -- statistics course (for bsrn, but useful for other things)
strategies for academic success / college study skills -- a freshman level "study habits" class
that roadmap ought to take all the mystery out of it. those are general requirements that i found most schools require. your mileage may vary, hehe. you really need to study the nursing school catalogs, and if you plan to transfer credits in, you need to find out for certain which schools' specific courses are accepted or not. nutrition is the one i have seen multiple schools get their knickers in a knot over. apparently, everyone has a different concept of what should be in the course, in addition to the basics of nutrition, which are the same for all humans, lol.

Streamline2010 · May 15, 2011

For online courses, search the forum here. I took some from Rio Salado / Maricopa in AZ. But I took A&P and microbiology with labs locally.

Many community colleges as well as most colleges and universities offer online courses. But the problem with those is that they are usually filled first by currently enrolled students, and then there are no seats for newly admitted students. A&P online versions exist, where the students go on campus on Saturday or on one evening per week to do the lab portion, and possibly they have to take exams in person, but the lecture and quizzes and other learning is online. But schools that offer nursing degrees usually give 1st shot at A&P (lecture or online courses) to the nursing students, then to currently enrolled "other" students, then it finally goes public for open enrollment but there will be no seats open by that time.

I lucked into a community college A&P only because I logged on to the web site and picked up the one open seat that someone had just dropped. Be aware of the purge dates, because sometimes a seat opens. Or, sometimes with open enrollment, the college offices open before the computer system does, and you can be first at the door and enroll in person, while others are still sitting at home cursing that they can't enroll online yet. :-)

kphlebo · May 16, 2011

WOw thank you everybody!!!! Alot of very good information and advise!! Can't wait to do some research in the morning!!!! Thx again! Very much appreciated!!!

blackandyellow · May 16, 2011

I took all of my nursing pre-req's except for A+P1, A+P2, and micro online. Due to my busy work schedule I took my science classes on Saturday morning's so it was once a week. This allowed me to save up money for when I was in a nursing program and could not work as much. Some of the school's are picky about transferring credits. You can look up many schools online or email them and find out their requirements. For instance my ethics class didn't transfer even though I got an A in it because it wasn't medical ethics. One thing about online classes is they worked wonderful for me. I am not sure I could have made the grades I did without having the flexibility. But I do know many people that have a hard time with online courses because they do not put enough time in or think they are easier than regular classes. You have to stay focused and on top of the work in an online class just like you would with a regular class. Good luck!