Prereqs clarification

Compassion_x · Jan 7, 2013

Hmm, I would email the school, they can probably give you the best answer.

x_factor · Jan 7, 2013

Hey Everyone,
I got accepted to the University I was hoping to go to, but I'm a little confused about the prereqs. I was looking at the courses need to take AP/Micro and they say you have to have a year of Biology and a year of Chemistry prior to taking them and to do Micro I have to do a all that along with a year of General Cell Biology. So....seriously 3 yrs before I can even take that class?? Doesn't make much sense, but then again it does say YEAR...but was just wondering if that meant a semester by ANY chance...haha. Might be better to just go to a community college?

Yes, many pre-reqs have pre-reqs. For many schools, in order to take A&P I or Micro, you need General Biology I and sometimes General Biology II, which is the year of Biology classes. Same with Chemistry, which is Chemistry I and Chemistry II. Some colleges require several pre-reqs to their pre-req's, some not as many. Just like most school's require a year of Math (usually college algebra and statistics), a year of English (English Comp I and II), ect.

If going full-time, most BSN's make it where pre-reqs take about 2 years. General Biology I and II, and Chemistry I and II the first year, and then A&P I & II, and Micro the following year, along with the rest of your pre-reqs inbetween. Many students also take Winter intersession, and Summer semester, to finish off classes as well, which really helps.

Community college may go a little quicker, though at the CC where I'm at, the pre-reqs are very similar, except no Chemistry. The University I plan to do my RN-BSN bridge at, requires Chemistry, both Biology's, Sociology, Public Health, a 3rd math, and 2 extra humanities, plus Nutrition. So it really varies by school.

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2013

I take it you got accepted at freshman level? I'd check the advisor see how they can come up with a plan to combine those classes so you can be on track because for prereqs it really varies by school. Some just ask for General Biology 1 and some don't. For Chemistry some BSN programs ask for any General Chemistry with lab, mainly CHM1032/L while other schools specify Chem2045 1 AND Chem2045 2 and the prereq for Chem2045 is Chem1032 which is a whole year (3 semesters) of chemistry. I did my AA and a State College and then transferred. My University only needed General Biology 1 and Chem 1032. Just remember if you decide to go to a Community/State College to get the ADN and later you want to do your BSN you may still have to go back and take some of those courses anyways and then you 'll have to worry about articulation/acceptance of your transferred credits so i'd just get them over with now...well that's just my view. Other option is to use the Community College as a transient college so you can ensure they will be transferred, plus it will cost less.

Studylots34 · Jan 7, 2013

Thanks everyone! I had a strong feeling it was two semesters...At least I got all my other classes done so now I'll just need to do my sciences there. I'll probably end up getting a dual Bach in Public Health and Nursing and thankfully, will be covered by the GI Bill. Good luck everyone!

Saysfaa · Jan 7, 2013

Also, you might want to check the class schedule/description which will be very specific about the prereqs for that class. That will tell you whether "cell biology" will work as the "biology" prereq, sometimes it does. It will also clarify the semester/year question. Either way, you can take the biology at the same time as the chemistry.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jan 7, 2013

Yeah - academic reality shock. Most don't realize that a BSN actually takes ~ 5 years to complete. There are 4+ semesters of pre-reqs before even getting to the clinical courses. Most universities require existing students to "apply" for their nursing program after they complete Soph year. Students in good standing can be very shocked that they don't make the cut - and end up switching majors or trying to find another program.

I agree with PP's. Make sure you are absolutely clear on the specific classes you need - it would be horrible to take the wrong ones. And keep in mind that pre-nursing students are usually taking a much larger course load than 'normal' students. They're easy to recognize... bleary eyes, no social life, etc.