Pre-req's - what are they?

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Feb 3, 2006

Pre-reqs will vary from school to school, BSN vs ADN, but they are generally the same.

For my BSN program I had to complete all my general ed classes (things like english comp, college algebra, humanities, etc) and also pre-reqs that the nursing program itself requires which for most nursing school is Chemistry, Anatomy, Physio, Micro, Statistics, Biology, etc.

Pre-reqs take anywhere, depeding on the program, from 1-2 years and then nursing school itself is 2 years.

HTH

wannabFNP · Feb 3, 2006

i would suggest that you meet with an advisor from the school that you are planing on attending and he would tell you directly what classes are need and which ones arent. you also have to remember, determining on how you scored on your placement test, that there might be classes that you have to take before getting into the pre-req's that are required for nursing school. i would suggest taking as much bio or A&P for non-science major as possible befor taking the real A&P that counts. well thats only my 2 cents, hope it helps:)

From reading this forum I gather that it's not easy to get into nursing school and that you need to get your pre-req's out of the way before you even start. Also that it's very important to have a very high GPA if you want to have even a chance of getting in.
So I'm just starting out, i.e. just starting to consider nursing as a profession. Have not yet started school. My questions are: What exactly are the pre-reqs? Any courses that are not directly nursing related? Are all pre-reqs basically the same? i.e. does it matter where I take the courses as long as I get the credits? Or do I have to take the courses only through a school that has a nursing program? One nursing school I called says the pre-req is general biology and chemistry. Do you need to take general biology before A&P? Most schools have course numbers next to their required courses (i.e. chem 101, 102 etc) but different schools have different numbers so I have no idea if the chem that 1 school is demanding is the same as the chem that the other school is offering. Sorry if this sounds very ignorant, I'm just starting out.

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 3, 2006

WA male - I did not understand that. What do you mean "bio for non-science major"? I understand that A&P is hard but I don't want to take more courses than I have to. Are you saying to take A&P twice to make sure I know it? What placement test are you referring to?

I have the pre-reqs from a few different nursing schools in my area. Since I plan on applying to more than one school I'm hoping the pre-reqs are all pretty much the same.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Feb 3, 2006

You need to talk to an advisor because all your questions vary from school to school.

Pre-req's are usually but no limited to

Human Biology, Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, A&P 1 and 2, Microbiology, English, Algebra, Public Speaking, Computers, Psychology, Sociology, Lifespan and Development, Medical Terminology, Humanities, foreign language........

What are you planning to go for? (ADN, BSN, etc?) this makes a big difference. Find out what the requirements are for each school and whether they go by a point system or lottery system.

In some places it does not matter where you take the courses as long as they are transferrable and you get the credit. However, this is not true in some places (like my school). They grant you a point for each course taken THERE.......if you transfer them in you will more than likely not get in and they will let you know that. Naturally it takes a while to finish them before you can apply and then the program is 2 yrs. long.

You are not being ignorant. These are things you learn along the way.

Take a series of questions with you to each school's advisor.

Q's like. What are your requirements? When can I apply? What system do you use? (lottery or point), what was the cut off GPA last semester? What is the NCLEX pass rate? Are you accredited? How many spots are offered? etc.......

Once you are getting ready to apply, don't be afraid to ask...where do I stand? What are my chances? What do you advice I do to increase my chances?

It doesn't hurt to get some volunteer work under your belt, and keep an eye out to a possible excellent reference letter from someone.

Good luck, hope I could answer some q's.

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 3, 2006

Jess, that was very helpful, thanks. As far as BSN versus ADN, it doesn't seem much easier to get into an ADN program rather than BSN, and I can take the non-nursing related courses for BSN before getting into nursing school, so I may as well go for BSN. This way I won't be wasting my time if I don't get into a nursing program on my first try.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Feb 3, 2006

Jess, that was very helpful, thanks. As far as BSN versus ADN, it doesn't seem much easier to get into an ADN program rather than BSN, and I can take the non-nursing related courses for BSN before getting into nursing school, so I may as well go for BSN. This way I won't be wasting my time if I don't get into a nursing program on my first try.

Right on! I don't have a BSN prgram to apply here (infinite waiting lists...........lol

So I got into an ADN. Will finish that, get into the field and get working on my BSN. You gotta do what you gotta do and what best works out for you.

Good luck!

wannabFNP · Feb 3, 2006

WA male - I did not understand that. What do you mean "bio for non-science major"? I understand that A&P is hard but I don't want to take more courses than I have to. Are you saying to take A&P twice to make sure I know it? What placement test are you referring to?
I have the pre-reqs from a few different nursing schools in my area. Since I plan on applying to more than one school I'm hoping the pre-reqs are all pretty much the same.

well at my college they offer A&P for non-science majors and from what i hear and understand from the student who are currently in my A&P class that have take the non-science class, it makes things a whole lot easier and almost a review. i dont know if your college offers class like that, but they do here.

there is a placement test that people have to take when addmitting into a college and by that they see what pre-reqs you are able to take. (maybe thats only in my college here also?!?!, who knows!)

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 3, 2006

OK, thanks. I'll check that out. Would it help if I got an A&P book and tried to study as much as I could on my own before taking the class? I won't be starting school till September so I might as well use the time to study all I can on my own. Do you recommend any other things to brush up on my own before starting school?

CTRNTOBE · Feb 4, 2006

Pre-req's are these never ending; can't see the light at the end of the tunnel; is there really a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?, Classes!!!

All kinding aside, they are usually College Algebra, Biology, Chemistry, and Anatomy& Physiology I & II.

Check with a Counselor at your school as they vary.

Good luck

tookewlandy · Feb 5, 2006

Im not sure what most schools are like but the school i am attending you can either take all your pre req's (compoistion 1, psychology,sociology,anatomy 1 and 2, human growth and development) and get into the program that way OR if you score high enough on the NLN exam you can skip over the pre req's and go straight in, i see lot of schools on here from what people say make you take all the pre req's and pass the nln or whatever exam i wonder why that is