Pre-Nursing PreReq Questions

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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It will be my fourth year in university this coming Fall and I am considering to switch my career path to nursing from my English major. I know it's pretty late to be switching majors, but I have some questions to ask.

1. I know that most nursing programs requires students to take Microbiology as a prereq. I took a basic biology class my 2nd yr in college. Should I retake biology to refresh my knowledge before taking microbiology or should I just jump into microbiology?

2. How long does it usually take to finish prereqs before applying to nursing programs?

3. Should I take my prereqs at my university (Cal State Fullerton) or at a community college? Would taking them at a community college be easier?

4. In what order should I take these prereq classes? ex) first take a&p1 then microbio, then chem.... etc.

5. Will it be harder for me to get a job if I get my nursing license at a CC rather than a Uni? Is there much of a salary difference between an ADN and RN?

Also, I'm pretty frustrated about how much time I have wasted being at a university. Are there any tips on how to become a nurse faster? Like summer classes, specific programs, schools, etc.

Thank you!!

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Focus on one step at a time. But plan for the future. Prereqs like anatomy and physiology 1 and 2 is core, take them ASAP. and do well in them. I don't think a refresher course is necessary, because alot of it is brute memorization. Although it does help if you understand basic chemistry. Get rid of as many prereqs as you can in one semester. It shouldn't take more than two semesters to complete prereqs usually.

A RN license is the same license whether you get an associates or bachelors. Accreditation is another topic on its own but there are articles here about that.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

If you have at least some understanding of biology, you should be able to go into Micro without too much trouble. As to the sequence you should take the coursework, I suggest you start with looking at the program prerequisites and work your way backwards from there. For instance, with A&P, what prerequisites do those courses require and then what's required to get into those courses? Do this with all the prerequisite courses until you have reached courses that you've already taken. You'll then see what courses are common prerequisites for those follow-on courses that are ultimately prerequisite courses for Nursing Programs. After doing that and looking at what courses you have already taken, you now have a roadmap for completing your prerequisites for Nursing School.

Now for the next step: where to complete them. It's usually cheaper to complete the courses at junior colleges, and if you're getting undergrad grants and such, that could be an issue because some are tied to completing a certain number of units and some are tied to actual award of a degree. The former is more common. If you're dependent upon grants and the like, I'd suggest taking those courses at a junior college if the cost is actually lower. You might want to consider taking a very LOW unit course every semester at your University just to be considered a continuing student there so you won't have to re-apply for entry. Had I gone to my local University and taken very low unit courses as a post-bacc student, I wouldn't have been locked out of their BSN program as I'd have been a current student at the time.

The amount of time necessary to complete the prerequisites is completely dependent on two things: how many courses you'll need and how many you're willing to take at the same time. You're going to have to also know that you can do well in those courses as Nursing programs key on having a good GPA in the prerequisite courses and a good entry exam score. This is potentially a long road for you as you may be essentially starting over from scratch. It takes the typical ADN student 4 years to get through all the prerequisites and Nursing School and the BSN student 4.5-5 years to graduate. If some courses are impacted, it could take longer than that.

Another option that may be available to you but may be more expensive is the ABSN. The idea is that you must first graduate with a Bachelors, complete your Nursing prerequisites, and apply for an accelerated BSN. These programs take about a year and they're extremely fast paced. You shouldn't work at all while in one of these programs. Essentially all you're taking is the BSN program courses in consecutive semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall...) because you don't have to repeat the other upper division GE courses because you already have done them (1st Bachelors, remember?) so that may be an option as well.

Yet another option is a Direct Entry MSN. The pathway to that is similar to the ABSN only you apply to a Masters program that results in you becoming eligible to take the NCLEX.

Once you're done, if you have a Bachelors already (in anything) and you're an RN, regardless of ADN/BSN degrees, you may be eligible to enter an MSN program right away, or nearly so.

Whatever you have decided, look at all your options before you jump at one or several of them. Don't close any doors... they might lead you to your goals faster.

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Specializes in ICU.

A community college is not easier than a 4 year university. Let me say that straight off. And you certainly are not looked down upon for getting your degree at one. A RN is a RN whether you have a ADN or a BSN. They sit for the same NCLEX-RN at the end hold the same license. It depends on where you want to get hired in the end as to what degree you need. That will take some research on your own.

Going from English to Nursing is a pretty drastic change. Ask yourself why you want to do so. I would make completely sure this is what you want to do before you spend the money. College is not cheap. Whether it is a community college or 4 year college, you will be paying a pretty penny for a degree. Make sure it is truly what you want to do in life.

Going to a community college for your prereqs will be your cheapest option. Make sure credits will transfer if you decide to get a BSN. I would research your options and get a plan in place. But get it out of your mind now that a community college is easier. Because they are not, and they are more competitive at times to get into a nursing program.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Thanks Heathermaizey! That's a very important reminder about the fact that junior college courses aren't easier than a 4 year university's courses. They can actually be sometimes a little harder... but junior colleges tend to be cheaper than universities.

I think I hinted at it, but you're right... going from English as a Major to Nursing is a huge change and since "Arts" majors don't have much science in them, it very well could lead to a LOT of science courses being taken and that's also not easy.

Just like the Johnson & Johnson commercial says: "If caring were enough, anyone could be a Nurse."

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day, lylunistar:

1. I recommend taking AP1, AP2, then micro (or micro with AP2). If it's been 5+ years since your last biology course, then a basic bio prior to AP1 might be a good idea. If the school allows taking microbiology before AP1, you could, but from talking to students who went that way... it was a lot harder because there's an assumption that AP1 was taken first.

2. The length of time for prerequisites depends on how many you need to take, and how able you are to stack them up. For me, it took 12 months.

3. Personally, I strongly favor community colleges as they tend to be extremely economical with little or no disadvantage. Just be sure whatever you pick is accredited.

4. If you need to take chemistry, then take that first followed by AP1, AP2, microbiology. If you find yourself a science lover being strong in sciences (i.e. "A" student), then you could combine microbiology with ap2.

5. There's no such thing as an AD vs. an RN. A registered nurse board exam can be taken by a person who received a hospital-based diploma (geared for RN), an AD, or a B.S.N. If you want to be economical, get the A.D. then take the boards for the R.N. then finish with the BSN. I'm not far enough along to know much about salary differences in my own journey; though I do recommend BSN as a target.

Thank you.

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thank you everyone who answered my questions. they were very helpful for me!

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You're in a bit of a tricky spot coming to this decision as a senior. FWIW, I think it's a good decision since nursing has a clear career path compared to English. I have a degree in history (from long ago), and finally am coming around to nursing.

I agree with what all of the above posters have said. Community college is the overwhelming choice financially for pursuing an RN. Bit still, you'll have to figure out how you want to deal with your current school. You could finish your English degree and then go into a nursing program, or you could try to start the nursing program at your current school, or you could just quit working on your current degree and "start over" at a community college. I really don't know what the pros and cons are of those options.

I'd recommend talking to an adviser or two at your current school as well as talking to someone at the nearest community college and see what your options are.

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