Nursing School Question. Please Help.

ACute RN · Feb 9, 2011

I am from the Pittsburgh area and there are a few of those programs around...

From what I have read/heard, you do receive credit for courses taken for your BA or BS. The pre-requisites generally need to be done before you start the program.

DoGoodThenGo · Feb 9, 2011

I am interested in applying to accelerated nursing programs in NY but I am confused about some stuff. Being that it's an accelerated program, is it still necessary to check and make sure my credits from my BA degree are transferable? Also, if I am missing several required classes, can I take it in that school? Should I take these required classes prior to applying to these programs or can I apply to these schools and ask them to give me the classes?
Please help. I am really confused. I've emailed a few schools but they have yet to get back to me and time is ticking. I'd really like to make it in at the latest by next January.

There isn't one answer because different programs have various requirements. Some want all pre-reqs/required classes completed before one starts, others allow you to take them along with nursing course work.

It is always advisable to sent your transcript for evaluation to the registar's office to see what will or will not transfer, then of those credits then the nursing department will decide what will or won't meet their requirements.

Find out also if you wish to take any classes you are missing elsewhere, will they transfer to whatever school's NP you want to attend.

Finally be aware some schools place a time limit on previous coursework. This may apply only to sciences or to all classes. For instance having taken Organic Chemistry in 1980 or 1990 may or not count towards nursing credits if it is required. What often happens in those cases are the "excess" credits end up being transferred as "free electives" which one supposes is all very well, but isn't going to lighten your course work load.

Spring is nearly here,and that is when many programs hold open house. This may be another option to meet people from the program in person and sort things out.

Good luck.

Normally there is something written down somewhere about what classes are required for "second degree" students before entry. For instance if you haven't taken the basic science classes of all nursing programs (Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology or Bacteriology, perhaps General and or Organic Chemistry), you'll most certianly need to either take those either with or before entry. Again it depends upon the program.

Often the best way to get information is to visit the school, and speak to someone face to face. Failing this telephone the nursing department of whatever school or schools you are applying to and ask to speak with someone whom can address your questions, or at least point you in the proper direction.

CJMR · Feb 9, 2011

I am in an accelerated program. Definitely check that your classes transfer. Just having a degree was not enough for my school as they had specific requirements of what classes had to have been in my first degree.

As the poster prior to me stated, most schools have a time period after which your credits expire for certain credits. My school doesn't take anything older than 7 years for math and statistics, 5 years for sciences, etc. Other schools may have even shorter time periods.

You may also have to take pre-requisites in addition to your first degree. At my school I had to take microbiology, 2 semesters of anatomy & physiology, chemistry, biomedical ethics, and 2 more semesters of psychology. I had to do this before I could even apply to the accelerated program, which is highly competitive. So I could have wasted that year and all that money had I not been accepted.

CrnaDae · Feb 9, 2011

Hi Im in Accelerated Program with previous Bachelors in Business and they only took a few of my classes... Anything like humanities and history if needed they took. But, I had to take prereqs and I did that at the local community college since credits are cheaper than going to a University. Also take into consideration a 2nd degree you wont get grants for financial aid so I paid out of pocket the last 2 years for classes and books... Also, the school I am in now they offer those courses its a Private school they run $525 per cred instead of $75 credit persay at community college... So i took classes i KNEW id needed and now I transferred 36 credits to my Nursing School... You have to see what schools require what.. Check out their requirements for example GPA and ASK them in person or on phone what the GPA was for those entering the last few semesters. Like they may require a 2.7 but they are NOT accepting anyone under a 3.8gpa therefore if you have a 2.9 or a 3.5 you already know your chances are slim in getting in BUT u can try to apply anyways!!! Also some schools are accumulative of what your GPA was in your prior degree and some ONLY calculate the classes being transferred...Those are questions you need to know... Also, make sure the prereqs are accepted to the schools you are able to get into... Nursing is highly congested! My school is already full for May and Oct of this year... Get in where you can fit in...And just because you pass the requirements to get into that school UNTIL u finish ALL prereqs you are NOT actually considered until u finish your prereqs so dont let anyone tell you that the school accepted you when they dont until all req are finished and THEN they look at you. DONT WASTE your $$$ u will need it... I just bught 800$ worth of books and im 5 weeks in ;/ aLSO CHECK TO SEE THE ENTRANCE EXAM you must take and the minimum passing grades ex science english etc u r only able to take it once within 6mo or so. So make sure your aware so you pass the exam the first time and it is good to all schools your lookin to.

My final thing is... Apply to ALL schools I applied last May for Oct to a few schools and LUCKy for me I was accepted and took the first thing..Now im JUST getting letters from schools I applied to last year ;/ go figure! Also each school requires more than others and some ONLY give the classes required in their school... Ex; Theory or Bioethics.

Prepare yourself its quite of a program VERY VERY up tempo and literally 5 people quite their jobs since starting school... But aside that I love it and am eager to learn...BRACE YOURSELF! LOL:clown:

Good Luck.

DPSGraduateNurse · Feb 9, 2011

Your best bet, speak to an academic advisor from the school. Email, call, meet with him/her!

noahsmama · Feb 9, 2011

Another thing to find out from whichever ABSN programs you're thinking of applying to is, which if any prerequisites can be met by taking a challenge exam as opposed to actually taking a course. The ABSN program that I went to allowed exams in lieu of some courses -- they didn't administer the exams themselves, but they took CLEP or Excelsior exams for some courses (plus maybe a few others I'm forgetting)-- so rather than taking the Intro to Sociology prereq, I took the CLEP exam and passed. BTW, I've never actually taken a sociology course -- I studied Cliff's Notes on Sociology, and took some practice exams, and that was enough to pass -- took me only about 2 weeks of studying, vs. taking a whole semester course. They also would have accepted a Microbiology exam through Excelsior, but after looking at the practice exams, I decided I knew so little about this subject that I was better off taking the actual course.

Thankfully not all ABSN programs have "recency" requirements -- mine gave me credit for courses I had taken 20+ years ago, including science courses.

So, I agree with the advice to speak with an admissions counselor at the schools to which you are thinking of applying -- though be forewarned that some are more helpful than others. Some will make an actual appointment and sit down with you, while others will claim that their online info should be enough and won't talk to you (the school I went to did give appointments).

Edited to Add: If possible, get the info about what they will or won't accept in writing, and save it. One of my fellow students was almost dropped from the program a few days before it started because she got conflicting info about whether or not a previous course would be accepted for one of the requirements -- but she still had in writing what she had been told by an admissions counselor 2 years earlier, proving they said they would accept that particular course.