Pre nursing pre req

Not normal, that's insane. A BSN takes 4 years (in theory). For example at my school it is 3 semesters prereqs, 5 semesters in the nursing program.

It really depends on how much of a course load you can handle. There probably are people who play it safe by taking a couple classes at a time... and that allows them to get better grades but takes more time. However, you have to ask yourself if you can't do well full time with nursing prereqs... can you handle nursing classes full time down the road?

Im in California were the nursing program is impacted does that have anything to do with it?

How many prerequisite classes do you have to take? I'm assuming you are talking about a BSN program? For my ADN program our prerequisites were Psych, Sociology, A & P I, and meeting the minimum compass math requirements. This is easily accomplished in one semester (11 credits). Looking at the BSN program offered by the university in my state, their "prereqs" (general classes) are taken 17-17-14 credits over 3 semesters (48 credits total). I can see splitting this into 12 credit semesters if one were not able to keep up with a heavier workload, but this would only take 2 years. To spend 4.5-5 years (9-10 semesters) taking 48 credits, one would average 1-2 classes a semester. If that's all one can handle mentally, there's no way they'd survive nursing school!

I'm also in California, and yes, the programs are very impacted. I know people who have to wait years after finishing their pre-reqs to actually get into the program. You will want to be sure you have an excellent GPA and impeccable reference letter from your Bio instructors. Many people will go part-time to ensure this, and still others are on a waiting list just to get into the pre-reqs. It's rough.

That said, my school requires each student to first obtain their associates degree in Biology before even allowing us to apply for the nursing program. If you are able to get into each class you need when you need it, and attend school full-time, then you can accomplish that in 2 years. Then the nursing program is an additional 2 years full time. So, if you go full time and work your butt off you can earn your ADN in 4 years.

Assuming you don't have to take remedial courses, can handle the work load of full-time pre-reqs, and can register for the pre-reqs you need when you are eligible to take them, they should take about 2 years to complete, possibly less if you have college credit from high school that is applicable or if you take summer term.

Why not go to a school where they include the pre-reqs in the nursing program and finish in 2 years total...then if you wanted to go to more school you can enroll in an ADN to MSN or even DNP bridge program and move along from there. That's what I'll be doing if I ever get an RN job anyway...I think the shortage of nurses is just about over here because places certainly aren't hiring.