Obtaining nursing prerequisites while in highschool?

Princess Bubblegum · Feb 23, 2017

I wish I'd been as ambitious as you! Take advantage of high school AP classes to earn college credit, and check out your local community colleges for prerequisitesâ€”you could probably get a lot of your prereqs done online through these schools, too.

sroseyos · Feb 23, 2017

I would start by looking at the admission requirements for the ADN programs you would be applying to--each school should specify what kind of courses they'll require for the pre-requisites (if they'll take AP credit, if you can take non-lab courses online, etc). Many community colleges will allow high school students to take classes for credit, and even if that's not an option there will definitely be ways for you to get some or even all of your pre-requisites under your belt early. As an added bonus, I'm sure those programs will be very impressed by the initiative you're showing! Good luck with everything, and don't be afraid to call programs directly to get personalized guidance.

Liveinthemoment · Feb 23, 2017

I am getting my BSN but had the option to just get pre reqs for an ADN when I stated. I plan to have all of my prereqs done by the time I graduate high school/turn 18 which will be around the same time. This is my 3rd semester with a program in my state that allows high school students to go to college for free. I will add, the only down side for me getting a BSN instead of ADN is that I will need to do a few summer classes to get done in time but that's because my counselor made me take it easy at first. Depending on what state you are in just check with your local college. Good luck!

MyAimIsTrue, BSN · Feb 24, 2017

Others have good advice, but my advice is: Slow Down! Why rush through it? Enjoy high school. Then enjoy college. Even if you have a BSN by age 22, you have 45 YEARS to work as a nurse. By age 30 you will be wondering what the rush was to get through it.

t3mama · Mar 1, 2017

I think it is great that you are so ambitious, and I don't think you are rushing anything. I'm 25 and starting nursing school this year and feel older, even though I know I'm not, but I wasn't sure if nursing was 100% for me in high school. Knowing what I know now, I wish I would have done what you are planning to do. My husband finished almost an entire year of college while in high school. It also wasn't too difficult either because high school isn't too demanding for many people. In the county I went to high school (Las Vegas), seniors only had half days, or juniors took a few classes during their junior year to graduate early, so it was definitely doable to take a few college classes/AP classes. Where my husband went to school, the classes were actually university classes which worked out for him. You can also take CNA courses at 16 where I live now where many programs require CNA before applying. There are also LPN programs available for high school students where I live, so that once you graduate you can just bridge to an ADN program. Definitely look into the programs in your area, I would bet they have similar programs to fit your needs. I say I wish I would have done what you are wanting to do because my brain is not as fresh as it is now as it was when I was in high school. Good luck with your goals!!

Sassyrose · Mar 13, 2017

If you want to save money too, consider CLEP tests. I did it with one class and wished I had done it with more. I also suggest slowing down but putting plans in place now can help save time and money. Best thing right now is grades.

OliveOyl91, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2017

Check into your local community colleges. My school has a program called "Running Start" which is offered to high school juniors and seniors. These students can take classes at the college instead of at their high school and earn college credits (which also count towards their high school graduation). Tuition is free and all they need to pay for are the textbooks.