Question Pre-Req and Nursing School

[Kangoshi00]

Hello! I've found the school I wanted to attend(age:18) and on the website it tells what pre-req classes I am going to need to take. I'd like to apologize in advance for my ignorance on college and what not because I originally was not going to attend at all for a minute because I didn't know what I wanted to do nor did I want to waste time and money. So I didn't get far with filling out my college application and what not.

1)How long does pre-req classes take? And what exactly are they? The school's website says there are 8 units of Anatomy and Physiology and 5 units of Microbiology.

It also says in order for me to apply I also need general education fixed set courses for the Nursing major. Does pre-reqs include the general education as well?

Since I don't really care about every knowing my business this is for a ADN program at Grossmont Community College.

Applying

I don't have really have anyone to elaborate this information to me (Of course I need to talk to the school). I'd just like a better idea on what this information means.

So if anyone is kind to look that over me I'D GREATLY APPRECIATE IT!

2) ADN programs are meant to be 2 years so does 2 years mean the pre-req and nursing school or just nursing school length?

3) What can I do to increase my chances of being accepted into a nursing program?

THANK YOU!

[203bravo, MSN, APRN]

You are correct that you need to meet with representatives from the school to get a clearer and firmer understanding of what exactly is required prior to and during the nursing program. They will assist you in preparing a road map for a successful outcome.

However, as members we can also shed a little light on different program to help start you off:

1. The 2 year ADN program is designed to be completed in 2 years after acceptance into the program. This program will include all your nursing classes as well as the general education classes required for the degree to be awarded.

2. Does it only take 2 years to get your ADN? short answer is no. The pre requisite courses must be completed prior to applying and being accepted into the program. For the program that you have linked to these required pre requisite courses are Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology. You should plan on it taking you 2 semesters to complete these courses, thus the shortest amount of time for you to potentially complete the ADN program would be 3 years.

3. Each course at a college is given a specific number of credit hours (or credits) that will be awarded after completion of the class based on the number of hours per week that the course meets. For this program Anatomy is 5 credits, Physiology is 8 credits, and Microbiology is 5 credits. These credits include the associated labs that are also required for the courses.

4. The 5 general education "fixed set" courses that are listed are required by the program and can be taken once admitted into the program, however this college awards points for completing these courses prior to the application into the program.

5. How can you increase your chances of admission into the program? Understand the admission requirements and work them to your best advantage:

* admission is based on points -- the people with the highest number of points will be admitted

* There are opportunities to increase the number of points that you can receive during your application

A. high grades - the greatest number of points are awarded for A's in the course work you have completed, so strive for the best grades you can achieve.

B. completion of the "fixed set" general education - as noted earlier, these courses can be taken prior to applying to the nursing program and since you will have to take the pre requisite courses anyway, you could go ahead and take several of these courses during those semesters to lessen the load that you would have to complete during the actual nursing program. Earn A's in these courses and your will receive more points on your application.

C. Complete an allied health certificate - additional points are awarded if you have already earned an allied health certificate. Ask which specific certifications will satisfy this requirement. For most programs earning your CNA or EMT certification will meet this requirement and both can be done in about a semester or less.

D. Take one of the foreign language courses during the semesters that you are taking your pre requisite courses and they will award additional points.

We understand that it's a lot to take in, but you are definitely on the right track by asking questions now to fully understand the program. Especially before jumping into college courses without a real direction and then finding yourself not doing well in those courses thereby making it more difficult to be a competitive applicant.

Best of luck.

[Kangoshi00]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! I was SUPER confused at first but I've got a grip on this information means. I really appreciate it! :)