PBCC Prereqs hoping to apply for RN program fall 2010 srping 2011

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Aug 1, 2009

Hi Rbrescia ,

I'm in nearly the same situation as you. I'm also 30 and have registered for my pre-reqs and hope to enter clinicals within 1 to 1.5 years. I've worked from home as a business owner for about 10 years and am considering a change of pace, as my kids are slowly getting older. They are now 14, 10 and 4. I'll be watching this thread to see what tips and advice others give you.

As far as your question about taking classes online- I've taken lots of online college courses and loved them. As a mom who had my kids at home with me while taking online classes, I found it very important to schedule study time. I've used nap time or weekends (when I ask my DH to take the kids out of the house) :yeah: . This time though, for the nursing classes, I'm enrolled in evening classes and one class on a day my DH is off of work. I kind of feel a little "mommy locked" like I need to get out of the house... I'm still not decided though on whether I'll actually go back to school for this. Please tell me, what drew you to nursing?

Sweetaprils · Aug 1, 2009

What drew me to nursing??? first of all, when I had both of my daugthers I had such a wonderful experience at the hospital I delivered them and always thought it will be sooooo wonderful to work doing what they do in labor and delivery, and post partum, and babys....I loved it. but I also never thought I could go to school for so long, now 3.5 years later I decided to just do it! I know I wont get into labor & delivery right away but that will be my goal. then the other plus is that the money is good or just ok (like some nurses say), & the hours are good for me, hopefully I can work three 12 hrs shift at night so that I can be home during the day and go to work while my little ones sleep. I didnt want to get a 9-5 everyday job. I did it for way too long (8 years as a operations manager at a local bank) and hated it! I dont like office work, and I dont like to sell products that people dont really need, im not a sales person anyways. I love babies and children. my other choice would have been kindergarten teacher, but I dont like the hours....also my husband is a firefighter/paramedic so that helps too.

I am getting close to the time where my little ones will be going to school (whithin the next 2-3 years) and I dont want to have to get a dead end job for $10 an hr pay, no way!:wink2:

Thank you for your advice about online courses! :yeah: and good luck on the decision you'll make!

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Aug 2, 2009

Ok, so that's 2 more things we have in common: I used to be a preschool teacher and thought I'd go back to school to get my credential and I also am considering nursing for the combination of good hours and good pay. (: I think it's neat how mommies tend to think alike!

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Aug 2, 2009

Ok, so that's 2 more things we have in common: I used to be a preschool teacher and thought I'd go back to school to get my credential and I also am considering nursing for the combination of good hours and good pay. (: I think it's neat how mommies tend to think alike!

SAHMBACK2SCHOOL · Aug 20, 2009

I'm also a stay at home mom with 2 kids (ages 4 and 1) and going back to school taking prereqs for nursing. You mentioned about taking CPT for algebra. I just took it yesterday and passed the college algebra:yeah:. I did a self study online for a month before I took the test. You can find a lot of websites that can help you study on your own. The site that I like and helped me a lot on my studying is: http://www.wtamu.edu/academic/anns/mps/math/mathlab/col_algebra/index.htm. Hope it will help you too. I haven't taken math for ages and I passed it. If I can do it, I'm sure you can too. I also took online classes last semester and I loved it. I can just turn my computer on and do my work anytime I have a free time. I'm also aiming for a 2011 nursing program at my local community college, so I need all my prereqs done summer of 2010 to apply for spring 2011 term. Good luck to you!

Kansi · Oct 13, 2009

I will also be applying for the Nursing Program at PBCC in either Fall 2010, or Spring 2011.

Getting into the Spring 2011 program is do-able, but won't be easy! For Spring 2011, the application is due by October 1st, 2010. This means any Fall 2010 classes you take, will not count towards your RN application for Spring 2011.

You said need 6 courses, plus 3 Labs. Keep in mind, the Anatomy & Physiology Labs are 3 hours long per week (That's as much class-time as a regular course, but only 1 credit)! (I heard the Microbiology Lab is 2 hours of class time, but haven't taken class yet, so I can't confirm.)

If you are pushing for Spring 2011, your class schedules will probably look something like this: (*NOTE: "X hours in class" is not actual, but is my guesstimate). Plus keep in mind : A Summer class runs later than Fall & Spring term classes & crams more information. (ex: instead of 3 hours/wk, it will be 4 hours)

Spring 2010 : (~12 hours in class/week)

1-Anatomy & Physiology I (3)

2-A&P I Lab (3)

3-Chemistry (3)

3-Psychology (3)

Summer A 2010 : (~8 hours in class/week)

1-Anatomy & Physiology II (4)

2-A&P II Lab (4)

Summer B 2010 : (~10-12 hours in class)

1-Sociology (4)

2-Microbiology (4)

3-Microbiology Lab (2-4?)

That is assuming PBCC will be offering Summer courses for all of the courses you need. I suggest you save the General courses (such as psychology and sociology) for summer, they are usually offered year-round. I'm not sure if Microbiology and Anatomy & Physiology (Plus their Labs) will be offered during summer. However, I did hear that all these classes, except the Labs are offered online!

I hope this helps! :)

-Kristin

Sweetaprils · Aug 17, 2011

I just wanted to update everyone about my school journey...WELL, I am done with my prereqs. I transfer to South University from PBCC. I did most of my prereqs at South U. I never stop and didnt take any semesters off.

I AM HAPPY TO SAY that I finally made it into the BSN program (also at south). First day of class is 10-3-11.

It is so rewarding to find this post because this reminds me how hard I worked from fall of 2009 through spring of 2011 to complete all my prereqs. all of my hard work is paying off. I am a nursing student now! I never gave up! and I am still enjoying the ride my girls are now 4 and 5 yrs old. I still have 21 more months of school...I will be back to this post then ahhh the journey keeps on going :)