RN Prerequisites and Program in Maryland

d&d's mom · Dec 8, 2004

If you are interested in embarking upon a second career in nursing, you first have to decide whether you want to pursue an associates in nursing or a BSN (bachelor's). And you have to decide how fast you want to go about it. And you have to decide how much money you are willing to spend.

Having mentioned all of these considerations the prerequisites required will vary by the program! It is very important to check what the prerequisites are for the program you are interested in: it can vary especially for associates vs. bachelor's. However, they will generally include Anatomy and Physiology 1&2, Microbiology, Psychology, Statistics, Human Growth and Development, Nutrition, etc.

One thing you might consider is an accelerated BSN (especially since you have a degree). This will allow you to become a nurse in the shortest time possible (13.5 months-16 months.) Both Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland both offer these programs. HOward Community College in Columbia also started an accelerated program to get you associates in 1 yr.

I would encourage you to narrow down some programs you are interested in, go on their websites to look at requirements, even call and talk with them if possible. Good luck!

tnacRN · Jun 13, 2005

Hi Manny,

I currently attend FCC Frederick Community College, it has a very high nursing success rate. I can give you a little info about prerequisites and cost for the Associates degree in Nursing program.

Prerequisites:

English 101

PS 101 (General Pshchology)

College level math: math elective

BI 55 Preparation to Allied Health (you can test out of this)

BI 103 A&P I

BI 104 A&P II

BI 120 Microbiology

ED/PS 208 Human Growth & Development

CM 107 Career Communication or CM 105 Group Discoussion

SO 101 Sociology

Humanities Elective

Arts Elective

Right now In County Tuition is $85 per credit, I cant find my book right now so I dont know what out of county tuition is...but the entire program is 70hrs. That doesn't include books which at a minimum start at $100, my A&P books were $210... Clinicals are an additional $2000 including books, uniforms, supplies, etc.

I'm waiting to get into clinicals right now... its very competative and you need at least a 3.0 GPA to be considered. They do offer a nights and weekends clinical component as well as days.

Good luck wherever you go!

tnacRN · Jun 13, 2005

hi manny,

i currently attend fcc frederick community college, it has a very high nursing success rate. i can give you a little info about prerequisites and cost for the associates degree in nursing program.

prerequisites:

english 101

ps 101 (general pshchology)

college level math: math elective

bi 55 preparation to allied health (you can test out of this)

bi 103 a&p i

bi 104 a&p ii

bi 120 microbiology

ed/ps 208 human growth & development

cm 107 career communication or cm 105 group discoussion

so 101 sociology

humanities elective

arts elective

right now in county tuition is $85 per credit, i cant find my book right now so i dont know what out of county tuition is...but the entire program is 70hrs. that doesn't include books which at a minimum start at $100, my a&p books were $210... clinicals are an additional $2000 including books, uniforms, supplies, etc.

i'm waiting to get into clinicals right now... its very competative and you need at least a 3.0 gpa to be considered. they do offer a nights and weekends clinical component as well as days.

good luck wherever you go!

tnacRN · Jun 13, 2005

sorry that my message came through twice, i'm new to this site and that i misspelled psychology duh!...typing too fast. i forgot to mention that the prerequisites i listed are all (3) credits each except for micro , a&p i, and a&p ii they are (4) credits each. the prereq's i listed equal 36 credits and if you multiply that by $85/credit your total would be $3060 if you are an in county resident. fcc has an excellent financial aid program and you can utilize their adult services department for financial relief as well. good luck!

PennyLane, RN · Jun 14, 2005

CCBC has great associates programs. I opted for the accelerated BSN at UMB. I have mixed feelings about the school, but I received an excellent education that prepared me well for my first job in the ED. My beef with the school lies in their lack of organization and the # of mean professors.

I've heard Towson U. has a very low passing rate for the NCLEX.

BoonersmomRN · Jun 21, 2005

I attend CCBC. I love it. I mainly have attended the Catonsville campus but I have done courses online, at the Owings Mills campus, and at the Dundalk campus.

There are the pre-req's

English 101

English 102

Sociology 101

Speech 101

Psychology 101

Psychology 103( Human Dev)

Any math above math 083 I believe...I don't know I took statistics ( 153)

Required for the program:

Anatomy + Physiology I ( BIO 107 or BIO 110 are needed as pre-req's for A+P 1 unless you test out)

Anatomy + Physiology II

Microbiology

Micro can be taken concurrent with the first semester of clinicals. You can apply to the program once you are currently enrolled in A+P II.

Cost wise it's a lot cheaper than anything else around here. Don't let the "community college" tag throw you either..I have had some pretty HARD professors at the Catonsville campus.

erica1978 · Jun 28, 2005

I am enrolled for nursing in the fall at CCBC Essex. Can you tell me in your opininion how possible it is to successfully complete this program while working full time. I am worried about not succeeding bc I have to work full-time to keep my benefits, specifically medical insurance. Also I have two children. Is nursing school more challenging than A&P?

amber1142 · Jul 13, 2005

Hi,
I am planning on embarking an RN program - as a second career option. I have a masters and almost finishing my phd in the social sciences.
1. what prerequisites would i need to take before embarking on an RN program?
2. What are the relative costs of pursuing the program in the community college and in the university?
3. If i need to start the prerequisites and the associates degree, what community colleges would you recommend?
sincerely, Manny

I know this is an old thread, but I thought I'd post my experience in case someone finds it helpful. I was in a similar position. I have a master's degree and am ABD for my doctorate, but then I had kids and decided on a career change. I chose Howard Community College because they have an evening-weekend option. The accelerated route at the community college (15 months, I believe) and the second bachelor's degree programs at Hopkins and Maryland didn't work for me because they were full-time days.

Since my degree was in liberal arts, I had to take A&P I and II; microbiology; nutrition; psych; human growth and development; sociology; and chemistry. Howard did not require statistics and allows you to take chemistry and A&P II (and maybe some of the social sciences) as co-requisites during the first year of the nursing program, though they don't recommend it. You can take CLEP exams for psych, sociology and human G&D.

I am very, very happy with Howard. It is also much cheaper than the universities, especially since they offer in-county rates to all nursing students.

Now I will work on my BSN through the R.N.-to-BSN option at Maryland which is offered online (and which will be paid for by my employer).