PLEASE can anyone and everyone please help me

mom and nurse · Jul 4, 2008

Hi - It depends on which nursing school you are planning to attend. Check out which schools are in your area and call up the nursing program to find out which classes are required. In our area folks take many of the classes that are required for nursing school at the local community college and then apply to two nursing schools nearby which accept the credits.

I wish you well in your endeavor to become a nurse. :)

bill4745, RN · Jul 4, 2008

It might be a good idea to 'shadow' a nurse in a hospital, or work as an aide to see what nursing is like. Some people have no idea what we do. It's not like the TV shows.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 4, 2008

The best way to know what classes a particular program you are interested in is to get the college catalog for the school of choice to read what the required pre-requisites are. Most times, it is anatomy and physiology 1 and 2, chemistry, English 1 and 2, Psychology 1 and 2 and microbiology. In many cases, anatomy 2, english 2, micro and psychology 2 are co-requisites, meaning that you can take them once you actually enter the nursing program, but I try to advise otherwise, because for most, the nursing classes are already enough on your plate, especially if you are also working. Best wishes!

Babs0512 · Jul 5, 2008

Believe it or not, getting a nursing degree is very difficult and very much hard work.

I personally think that if you could get the prerequisites out of the way, and as many required classes like Biology, Psychology, Sociology, Microbiology, 2 Semesters of Anatomy and Physiology - basically leaving nothing to work on but the nursing classes when you start the program, you'll be better off.

Good luck

caliotter3 · Jul 5, 2008

You can start by going to the websites of your local schools that have nursing programs and seeing what they list as the prerequisite courses. The catalog and schedule that is online will also give you some info on the basics, like taking placement exams for English, chemistry, and math. Then you should visit the schools, or call, and make an appointment with an advisor to get the scoop. Often schools have info sheets that list the essential info in the admin/advising area of the school. You can pick these up and buy a copy of the school catalog at the bookstore when you go to visit. At any rate, you can expect to be taking English 1, perhaps biology if it is a prereq to the other sciences, one of the sciences (if you don't have to take bio first) like anatomy, psychology, and/or sociology during your first semester or quarter. Like others have said, it is best to take all of your prerequisites and also the other courses necessary for your degree before you apply to the nursing program. Makes it easier in the long run. Of course it stands to reason that you should try to get the best grades possible, especially in the prereq courses. You also need to find out what the other criteria for admission to each school's program is. Some use a scoring system that gives you points for different things, like working in health care as a CNA. Other schools require that you have a CNA certfiicate as part of the application process. If you need letters of recommendation, decide who you want to ask. If you get points for volunteer work in health care, look into that. Anything that you can do to put yourself in good standing, keeping in mind that A's in your course work goes a long way toward making you competitive. Good luck.

Simpleplan · Jul 5, 2008

LPN/LVN school's usually do not require any college. I was in an LPN school in the 11th grade of highschool. If you want an RN you need to go to a community college and talk to a guidance councelor. They will be happy to help you with your degree plan. Good Luck.

PurpleMyst · Jul 5, 2008

Hi everyone I am interested in attending nursing school within, I guess the next year or so. I am 23 years old and have not previously attended a college. So can anyone please guide me and tell me which classes should I take? Which classes will benefit me the most? Were should I begin? Also is one semester of full time classes enough ? I am trying to get into school as soon as possible so I can get my nursing career started. So please everyone guide me in the right direction and tell me where should I begin what classes to take and any tips and advice for getting into nursing school. Thanks in advance to all that respond. I greatly appreciate it. Thank you all

If you have internet access you should be able to look up some of the schools in your area. You could start checking out your local community college online, most of them have the catalog and class schedules online. It is much cheaper to start out at community college.

In the one I go to they require the following before entering the 2 yr RN program: English Comp I, Basic math (the one before intermediate algebra), General Biology, Intro Psychology, Anatomy & Physiology I & II, Microbiology, Human Growth & Development (2nd psyc. class). Once all those are done you apply to the RN program and depending on your grades they will finally schedule you to take the HESI entrance exam and if you pass you get to take Pharmacology. After Pharmacology everyone takes a Pharmacology math exam and must pass with a 90% or you don't get in.

Also, the community college will usually have you take an exam to see what level classes you need. For example if your reading comprehension is not at college level they will suggest you take a class to help you before taking English comp I.

When they say 2 yr. RN (Associate Degree Nursing) it's really not true, because you have to take all the pre-requisites before you're admitted. Another thing that can slow you down is the fact that one class follows another (ex. biology first, before Anatomy I, then anatomy II and so on).

Talk to a counselor and get advise about the classes you need to take for your particular college.

If you've never attended college before, pace yourself and don't be in a hurry to pile yourself up with classes. Start slow and see how you do because you don't really know how much college work you can handle. I've seen students who can't keep up because they took too many classes and they end up failing or dropping the course. Make sure you read the catalog and become very familiar with their rules. In my school you are only allowed to drop 6 classes in your entire college career. If you fail a class you can take it again and the better grade replaces the worst. Again, at my school if you repeat a course for the 3rd time they charge you a lot more.

I hope my looong post helps you get started.

kristenncrn · Jul 5, 2008

http://www.discovernursing.com is a great resource.

Good luck! Work on math and science... you use both constantly in nursing.

Midwest4me · Jul 6, 2008

LPN/LVN school's usually do not require any college. I was in an LPN school in the 11th grade of highschool. If you want an RN you need to go to a community college and talk to a guidance councelor. They will be happy to help you with your degree plan. Good Luck.

WOW nursing school has changed a whole lot if one can get his/her LPN training WITHOUT going to college. When and where on earth does LPN training occur in high school or concurrently with high school????? I've been an LPN for 23 years; also have a B.S. in Psychology. College courses were (and still are) required for both degrees.

Nurse Salt · Jul 6, 2008

I'm not sure about the college class requirements, but I saw an ad on TV a few days ago about becoming an LVN in about a year at a tech school (western career college, bryman, or one similar)...