need help

Kitty Hawk, ADN, RN · Oct 4, 2009

I went to a diploma/ADN program that had the pre-reqs rolled into the program as co-reqs. The majority of the students took some if not all this way, there were a few that did their pre-reqs beforehand and just had to concentrate on the nursing classes.

I'm not sure if you're asking what the typical pre-req classes are, so I'm sorry if this is redundant! The co-reqs were A & P I and II, Microbiology, Nutrition, Computers, Logic, Ethics, Psychology, Sociology, and an English writing class. Ours were laid out specifically that once in the program and you needed those courses, the 1st semester was A & P I along with Logic, the 2nd was A & P II with Psych, 3rd was Micro and Nutrition, then the last semester for that year was the english class. Starting back the next fall was Sociology, Computers, and Ethics, the last semester was just nursing b/c we did 3 twelves at the hospital for the final 5 to 6 weeks. The first weeks were management lecture/tests with a final test and the end of the semester.

I mention the layout as well as just the courses b/c the only way you could deviate from that outline, was to take for example ethics during the summer to have it done before the school required it. You couldn't in other words, take the classes later and just add them in, they were either done before or during the nursing classes. We had pharm and patho rolled into our nursing classes, some schools seperate those. You also need an algebra class before the program would accept you, as that's not offered with the co-reqs, I'm not sure what the math is that you mentioned. :confused:

There were def. good and bad with doing the co-req route. Really, I recommend if you can knock out all the pre-reqs before the nursing program, then do it that way. Waaaaay less stress, nursing classes/clincals are stress enough! However on the plus side, I started and finished earlier than if I would have done all the pre-reqs on my own. I was working full time before going to school so I could only handle 1 or 2 classes with working. When I took Chem, that was all I took while working for example, so it would have taken me a longer to finish, rather than just diving it and doing it. Thank God that I was able to quit working and just go to school full time. :bowingpur

Since you mention a specific community college, you may get better feedback on the Pennsylvania forum found under "region" with the tab at the top of the page. You may want to specify Phil. though since West. Pa is there too and usually one isn't familiar with the other's programs! Good luck to you!

MammaNurse2Be · Oct 4, 2009

At our school, all pre-reqs must be complete prior to application. Here is the order I recommend:

Bio

Chem

Nutrition

Anatomy

Physio

Micro

At the same time, do your math and english and any GE you need prior to application to make your time easier.

If you are deficient in math, start at the bottom and work you way through it as it will help you in understanding chem, physio and medical math.

Good luck.

sheller621 · Oct 4, 2009

Thanks!

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2009

Your chances of getting in to CCP depend on your GPA, whether you've dropped or failed classes, and your score on the Allied Health Test. The AHT is grammar and reading comprehension and arithmetic (decimals, mixed fractions, etc). You have a short amount of time to complete the sections so you need to drill in order to be able to move fast. You're ranked on a 9 point scale, all 9s are accepted and they move down from there. In our orientation we were told that all 9s and 8s make it and some 7s. Almost never any 6s and iirc if you get a 5 you don't meet their minimum. Of course, if you happen to get an 8 in a year where a bazillion people get 9s, then you're out of luck so your odds will vary some based on other applicants.

Even though you're not applying this year, I'd recommend going to the orientation this fall. They should be starting soon and you can find the schedule on the 2nd floor of the west building in the office that's right across from the elevators.

After you take Bio 106 and Chem 110, I highly recommend getting as many of the corequisites out of the way as possible. You can take A&P, micro, etc during the program, but you'll have more time to focus on nursing if you get as much of the non-nursing classes out of the way.

I would get Math 118 out of the way and then honestly, I would consider taking an easy class or two that will pad your GPA. They go strictly by numbers and statistics and as long as you've taken Bio 106 and Chem 110, in terms of getting in to the program an A or two in basket weaving or whatever will serve you better than Bs in A&P.

I don't know if you plan to take summer courses, but they only look at your fall grades the year you apply and then you have the spring after you apply as well as two summer sessions to take corequisites to lighten your load.

sheller621 · Oct 6, 2009

Thank you hiddenkat, that is a really big help! I have been out of school for 19 years. Spring 09 was my first attempt at college that is why I thought I would get as many prereqs under my belt as I can. I am taking eng101 and math017 over again to get better grades (and a better understanding of Math) I know that it's hard to get in to any Nursing program and it will take a lot of hard work. I am a little intimidated but I am up for the challenge. So do you think I should take bio and chem next semester? That is what the advisor and counselor recommended, I would like to talk to a student and I haven't met any yet that are actually in the program. Thanks again I really appreciate it!

debbiemk · Jul 20, 2012

what do you mean they only look at fall grades?