Question about A&P

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I just recently decided that nursing school might be for me, and I'm trying to educate myself as much as I can on the whole process. I'm a complete newbie to the world of pre-nursing, so in advance I want to thank anyone who replies for their time, and apologize if my questions seem obvious or silly.

Basically, I've been pre-P.A. for awhile now, and I'm finishing up my pre-reqs for that. Only, recently, I've been thinking that maybe nursing would be a better path, because there seems to be more opportunity there for advanced schooling, such as NP or CRNA. So I've researched and found out that I can do an advanced track program to get my BSN, since I already have a B.S. in biology. I'm going to apply concurrently for PA school and for a few BSN programs, but I'm getting tripped up on some of the pre-reqs for those. For instance, I know A&P I and II are a must, but the thing is....I took Vertebrate Physiology and Comparative Anatomy (both with labs) instead. PA schools accept either set of courses, and actually prefer the second. Will alternative BSN programs accept them in lieu of traditional A&P I and II?

Also, do I have to take the HESI? I'd read that you need to take it, but the programs I'm applying for don't list it as a requirement. Is it only required for the traditional BSN route, or do they administer it after acceptance or something?

I know I can ask the program's directly, but I always feel like I'm bugging somebody with really basic questions. Since my goal has been PA school all this time, I feel like I speak pre-PA as a second language, but pre-nursing, not so much, so I really appreciate everyone's help in navigating through this!

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Most schools (including those with Accelerated BSN programs) will only accept Anatomy & Physiology 1 & 2. I know someone who took human biology 1 & 2 because she thought the school would accept it but she had to end up taking A & P anyways because the school would not accept anything else. Also, if the HESI is not listed on the admissions page as a requirement, then you don't need to take it.

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I would really recommend calling the schools though to be sure. That's what they are there for.

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That is SUCH a bummer, but thanks for your answer. I'll call them tomorrow to be sure. Just a rant: I really wish schools would be more lenient with what types of pre-reqs they accept, as it makes it really hard for someone coming from an education in pre-anything else to make the transition. I found the same thing with P.A. pre-reqs, they're different from school to school, so if you want to apply broadly you have to take alot of classes that you may end up not needing for the program you eventually get into. If I had any advice to give young college students interested in allied health, it would be to cast your net really broadly with your undergrad classes, or risk being stuck in pre-req limbo if you ever change your mind about the specific field you want to pursue. Oh well, I'll get off my soap-box as I know I'm not the first and won't be the last pre-nursing student who feels they'll never be done with pre-reqs. Thanks again for your response!

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I completely agree! I am at a cc taking pre reqs to apply to a BSN program (this is my first time in college). I am having such a hard time matching classes because every school is so different. I wish there was a set list of required pre req courses for every BSN program. But I really am sorry. My friend I was talking about ended up wasting a whole extra year because she had to take a & p (1 and 2).

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I'm sorry about your friend, I completely understand! Just got an email back from ONE of my programs saying that A&P are actually not pre-reqs, they are taken the first semester of the program, so score with that! The other program I'm not sure, I'm going to call them tomorrow, but at least that's one obstacle down.

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