Pre-Pre-Nursing: Tips before starting school?

Sand_Dollar, BSN · Jan 5, 2010

If I were you, I would first start by picking up (or downloading) your local community college catalog and look through it. Here in Colorado you have to take an entrance exam in the CC's called the accuplacer. It will determine which classes you can place into as far as reading comprehension, english, math and algebra. For example, there are 4 possible English classes at my CC you could place into, ranging from Basic writing skills all the way up to English Comp 1.

You can take this test for $15. Before you start randomly studying for things, I would suggest taking this test (or a similar placement test) and see where you would place first. It will give you some direction to your plan and you will know what you actually need studying in. You can also retake it about every 6 months, so you could use it almost like a study guide.

I also know of a few people that have started with the remedial subjects, especially math and worked their way up to the university level ones, it can and has been done! Our CC offers an online option too. So, even though you are pregnant you could still start your journey and get yourself ready for the nursing specific pre-requisites.

I was a SAHM for years and will be finished my Associates in Science after this semester then hopefully onto a BSN program. You can do this, just plan your time and direction wisely. Good luck!! :)

~SD

omoolu, BSN · Jan 5, 2010

Hi Sand Dollar. I am a SAHM of two under 3 and will be returning to school after 20 years to work on pre requisites. I was wondering if you had any advice on managing studies and a family. I will be going to a nearby CC taking chemistry 1st. Figured I'd start with just 1 class especially since I already have all liberal arts credits already. How did you organize yourself? When did you study? Did you take a full load?

You're an encouragement to me for sure...thanks for any advice you can give!

elisemichelle · Jan 5, 2010

Thanks Sand_Dollar, I will definitely look into it. I've already found out that most of the local colleges offer internet classes for most of the basics (Eng, Bio, Math, etc.). Just have to find out about the testing and remedial classes.

And I'm also interested in hearing about managing little ones and college. Besides my older kids who are in school already, I have a toddler and am due in July so I'll have my hands full for a little while longer.

Sand_Dollar, BSN · Jan 5, 2010

Hi fleajones,

I started my pre-reqs in the fall of 08 when my kids were 14 and 10. I home schooled too (later moving them to online schools), so I was very aware of how my own schooling would impact my family schedule, especially their school. I found this board and actually discovered that there were legitimate online classes available now (they were a joke when I was in school 20 yrs ago). I found CCCOnline through allnurses and they happen to be in my state of Colorado! So, I looked into it and decided to go that route. Driving every day to a campus an hour away just wouldn't work for me. The online school is accredited and has state guaranteed transfer courses. They are also accepted by the University I have applied to. But, online doesn't necessarily mean easier.

Because of my situation, taking my classes online was the best decision I made! I started out with 2 classes to see how I would do and I got A's. I then did my sciences for the next two semesters, never more than two at a time along with an easier general class. Last semester I took 5 classes (algebra & 4 social sciences) and this spring I will do 6 (stats and 5 socials), finishing my A.S. My schedules for studying have pretty much been the same just more classes added to it.

I get up before the kids and I get some work done for a couple of hours (this is the perfect time to take tests). Then while they are doing their schoolwork, I work on mine too, but I am available for their questions. Then about 2 when they are finished and go to play on their computers, I get another couple hours of uninterrupted studying done before I get dinner ready. Often, my daughter will make dinner for me and I can keep working if I want. Then, once dinner is finished I put in a couple more hours. I try to take off Friday nights totally so we can have a family gaming night (computer games, not monopoly). Saturday and Sundays I do schoolwork on and off, but try to avoid anything that needs my undivided attention, like an essay or exam. My one exception was summer when I took AP2, Micro and General Psych. I was sometimes up studying at 6 am and often worked 16 hours on Sat & Sunday because of the labs and workload. My husband happened to be on short term disability and we had daily trips to the hospital, but it actually worked out well. Of course, my normal days are speckled with appointments and chores like groceries - so there are many chunks taken out of my schedule, but it's doable.

My schedule may seem intense, and probably more than the average person (for the last semesters at least), but I actually thrive under the pressure and always seem to do more when I have less time to do it. My family hasn't suffered from it and we all work together now rather than most of the household stuff being on my shoulders - any my hubby doesn't get upset if the house hasn't been vacuumed. It's all about time management - I never missed an assignment or family activity last semester.

I think it's easier for me because my kids are older, the age yours are at require more attention. But, luckily they take naps and go to bed earlier than you do (I assume! lol). You could still have lots of time in your schedule for them and for studying. Take it slow with your sciences like you are, your GPA is hugely important and since you already have a huge number of classes done - you are farther ahead than I was when I started.

Thanks for the encouraging words, if you have any other Q's feel free to ask or drop me a PM when you have 15 posts. :)

~SD

Sand_Dollar, BSN · Jan 5, 2010

You can do it elisemichelle! You have made the decision to educate and improve yourself - that in itself says much about you. Keep your eye on that goal and you can get through anything! :yeah:

jennylouwho · Jan 6, 2010

I'd encourage you to start with the placement test (the one at our college was free, btw). Once you have that, you'll know where you need to start for math and English. Sign up for one class online and see how you do. :)

I started back last summer, when my two were 8 months and almost 3. In the summer, I only took internet classes, a total of 8 credits. Then in the fall, I took a full course load - 15 credits. I went to class three days per week for the first eight weeks (Intro to Patient Care and A&PI), and then a one credit course was over and then I went only the other two days a week (for my A&P1 class).

I have a 4.0, so I guess you can say that so far, I'm handling it okay. :) I try to study and do homework during naps. We really try hard to stick to the 8:00 pm bedtime, so that there is plenty of time for work to be done. I will say that most nights I get about six hours of sleep per night, but you learn to adapt. For A&P, I am a big note cards person - I make them and then keep them on me at all times. If I'm in the van waiting for my 3 year old to get out of preschool, I'm flipping through my note cards. If I'm making dinner, I often have a few in the kitchen with me. The balance comes with still having plenty of time for reading books and playing with my kids. I try not to resort to the babysitter, Nick Jr, except under extreme circumstances. For the most part, when my kids are up and playing, I am too. :) Now, when the youngest is napping the older one does have quiet time where she can do whatever she needs to do quietly (drawing, etc) and I'll sit with her at the table and will do my work. She feels very grown up to be doing her "homework" with me. :)

omoolu, BSN · Jan 7, 2010

Wow SandDollar (& EliseMichelle)...all I can say is i'm truly inspired by your examples. I look forward to this journey and best of luck to you both this semester!

Davo · Jan 7, 2010

I'm not in school and won't be for at least a couple years (I'm pregnant). But I figure while I'm a sahm, I can try to prepare myself for whenever I decide to go back to school. I'm interested in nursing and it would be such a huge jump that I want to make sure that I am prepared and do the best I can.
I'm worried about not being ready for basic college courses, not to mention nursing specific classes. 10 years ago, I reluctantly had to drop out of high school after only completing the 9th grade but I passed the GED without having to study. (But that means no Chemistry, no Physics, no Calculus, etc.) I know I have a lot to learn, a lot to catch up on, but I loved school, I love learning and I'm usually pretty good at teaching myself most things... I just haven't been able to go school for years.
I want to get some books, software, study aides, etc. so that I can teach myself the basics at home before I start pre-nursing college classes (hopefully, before I take the ACT or whatever tests I have to take just to get into college). I was hoping some of you could suggest resources you found helpful to prepare for the basics of college and for nursing in general... resources that were helpful to people trying to teach themselves.
Thanks in advance! :redbeathe

The best advice I can give you is just to start the classes ASAP. Take care of all your home shores and start with your school. Noting basic there. You just need to go class and study hard. It is all easy. Just study!

Go to barnes and noble and they have amazing books.

In my place, we take the TEA test instead of the ACT. but yeah,

Lajimolala, BSN, RN, NP · Jan 7, 2010

There is this awesome PC software called High School Advantage that teaches you basically everything you're taught in high school. I used the Math Advantage version to prepare myself when I went back to college after a long hiatus. It must have worked because I'm in nursing school now!

mmh2 · Jan 8, 2010

Water83- Where did you find the software? I'm trying to get the nerve to take the local cc placement test so I can start pre reqs in the summer, and math is a weak subject for me so I need to refresh/relearn before I take the test. I've been out of hs almost 20 yrs! Trying not to psych myself out and let fear of failure continue getting the best of me . Good luck to you all! You are all great inspiration as I prepare to start the next chapter of my life. :)

Lajimolala, BSN, RN, NP · Jan 8, 2010

You can find it any local electronic store like Best Buy's or Fry's. I will send you a PM to a link where you can read more about, as I'm not sure if posting a link may be against Terms of Service. Good luck!