Programs With No Pre-Reqs (Or no expiration date)

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Hi everyone,

I have been struggling to find either:

a) A program similar to Yale's GEPN that does not require pre-reqs, or

b) A program that does not consider pre-reqs to expire.

I'm open to any state, city, region, etc. but as I live in CT currently, New England would be preferable. Do any other programs like this exist, or is it just Yale? I'd love to go to Yale, but I don't want to put all of my eggs in one (competitive) basket.

I have my BS in Public Health so I've taken most of the pre-reqs, it's just been more than five years. It feels like a huge waste to retake them because money is pretty tight for me right now, and nursing school isn't cheap!

I'm looking for either BSN or preferably, MSN direct entry programs. Thanks for your help!

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Specializes in Rehab, Ortho-Spine, Med-Surg, & Psych.

Hello,

I am going to go out on a limb to say that Yale has such a flexible program because (1) it's an Ivy League school, and (2) their tuition cost is very large just because. Not many people will be able to qualify to apply, let alone get admitted to this school. If you can, more power and bragging rights to you !!

Having said that, there are plenty of BSN programs that accept students with other bachelor degrees of other concentrations that are far less costly. So you need to decide whether you want to spend the money that you may or may not be able to afford... to impress people who may or may not care much about you ...OR... spend just the right amount of money on tuition according to your situation at this time. I do not know how old you are, but one thing is certain: time is going to go by no matter what. Complete your new degree at a pace that is comfortable to you.

Best wishes!

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I'm not sure about BSN programs, but I know there are some ADN programs that don't need prereq's. I just got accepted into one in Pittsburgh!

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Most of the schools that don't require prereqs at all are going to be costly.

I'm sure there are some colleges up north that have a longer expiration period or don't have a time limit for prereqs. I know at least two state colleges in Florida that don't have time limits. You may just need to start looking at all the programs in the states around you.

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

Most of the schools that don't require pre-reqs are private schools. I know the local catholic university touts their direct entry into their BSN program - but it is really aimed at college freshman with no prior degree who will end up taking 2 years of pre-reqs/gen ed anyway before starting nursing coursework, and pay through the nose for the privilege.

Not requiring pre-reqs is pretty uncommon so you may have to go through your region school by school seeing what they require in terms of pre-reqs and in-terms of time-frame.

If you do need to re-take coursework I highly recommend taking classes through an in-state community college - far less expensive than a university and you can enroll for just one class at a time to keep costs down and allow yourself to still work full-time while making progress towards nursing school admission.

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Specializes in Critical care.

If you feel confident enough in the material covered in the expired classes maybe you can see if the schools will allow you to CLEP out of them.

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Specializes in Rehab, Ortho-Spine, Med-Surg, & Psych.

The more I think about it, I agree with Verene's comment.

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

If you look at the big picture, taking a couple semesters to bang out some pre-reqs could drastically reduce your overall costs, increase the options available to you for schooling, and help you make some good connections along the way. You said you're in CT, the CT CC programs are all very good. Gateway, Capitol, Three Rivers and I think Naugatuck, all have very well establish ADN programs. It might seem a little longer, but the money you'll save might be well worth an extra year or two.

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Most of the BSN programs don't expire the general ed courses other than the science ones because those are the ones people generally don't use day to day. I had to retake all my sciences and 2 additional psych courses that I never took as a Business Major - it's taken 1 full academic year but I wouldn't have traded it for anything. I really do know more NOW than I did after taking the same courses 10 years ago.

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@flocarmody Hi! I came across this thread and I'm curious what you ended up doing. I'm in a very similar situation, BS in Public Health 10 years ago and deciding to go to nursing school now. I'd love to hear which path you chose and how it's going. Thanks!

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Hi Hanna and Flocarmody!  

I am also a public health specialist (BS, MHS).  My sciences are more than 10 years old and I have not the time nor money to repeat them.  I am looking for very affordable second Bachelors programs. 

What have you gals found???? ? 

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On 9/28/2021 at 4:58 PM, elzabeellie said:

Hi Hanna and Flocarmody!  

I am also a public health specialist (BS, MHS).  My sciences are more than 10 years old and I have not the time nor money to repeat them.  I am looking for very affordable second Bachelors programs. 

What have you gals found???? ? 

Hi @elzabeellie I ended up applying to Mercy College and Stony Brook. Mercy is a bit pricey but Stony Brook is affordable and a fantastic program. Waiting to hear back now.. 

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