Published Sep 23, 2013
SweetHeartRN2Be
2 Posts
Hi, new here. Love this website, I've been lurking for awhile before I made an account:) happy I did!
I'm looking into different nursing programs offered in my area and while many require students to take and pass prerequisite classes I found/heard of a few that don't. For example, Sumner College in Portland, Oregon has a new location that offers an RN program, 2 year Associates degree, with no pre-reqs. The only requirements to apply are diploma/GED, pass TEAS, and complete 2 essays. I reviewed the courses in their RN program and the "General Education classes" are listed in there at the bottom, which are: English Composition, Expository Writing, English and Writing, Psychology, Human Growth and Development, and Sociology 1 but they seem to be incorporated into the RN program and not required to take before nursing school...What does this mean exactly? That it isn't proper Nursing education if it just skips all that as a requirement to apply? I've read most nurses taking an extra 1-2 years, in addition to the 2 year RN program, to take/finish their pre-reqs. Should I look at only the schools that have pre-reqs? Even if I'd rather be an RN in two years and not 3-4.. ? But would prefer proper education over the time it takes. Sorry if this is poorly explained, typing fast on my tablet. Basically my main question is, does not having to take and pass any pre-reqs classes for Nursing school make the school bad?
Thanks in advance:)
MrChicagoRN, RN
2,605 Posts
Are they fully accredited, and what is there pass rate?
Idiosyncratic, BSN, RN
712 Posts
Like the person above said; are they fully accredited? Another thing you've got to look at is FOR PROFIT colleges. In other words, they can offer slightly different programs. Most likely(and I looked at the website) they are a career college, they cater to certain careers and that's it. Also, if you look at the price of the program is considerably higher than any regular college's nursing program. For instance, in my area a school like this one that offers for you to take your pre reqs at the campus with insurance in getting into the program - it's 50K. However, the local schools run about 5-6K. Sure, you're promised a spot into the program if you test well initially, but the biggest thing that turns people off is the price.
Really think about it, and realize what you'd be getting into. Sure, I've dabbled with the thought of going into the career college where we live(sometimes still do), but I cannot get over the price.
Good luck, with whatever you choose!
Kuriin, BSN, RN
967 Posts
Some schools, University of San Francisco, for example, requires no prerequisites completed at the time of admission. Obviously, those prerequisites must be completed prior to clinical.
queserasera, RN
1 Article; 718 Posts
I know of a few schools in my area where the classes you listed are the pre reqs and then the sciences like A&P, Micro, Chem are alongside nursing classes. I don't know how I feel about this honestly... only because A&P seems like it should be taken BEFORE you enter any medical program. At my CC even to be a medical coder you need to take A&P before entering the program.
Follow the advice of others, make sure it's fully accredited and that the pass rates are above 80%
akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P
3,523 Posts
It looks like Sumner's AAS RN program is brand new. They have no data for pass rate. Just looking at the course list, I noticed that there's no chemistry, biology (like Micro or O-chem), no nutrition, no speech communications, and no math courses. I would be surprised if California accepted an RN educated from there because of those "missing" components that we typically see in California based programs.
I've heard of AAS degrees for Paramedic, but this is the first RN AAS program I've heard of.
VampyrSlayer, CNA
546 Posts
For the school I applying to the only courses that are prereqs are high school level. The rest are coreqs. But because the program is so competitive, everyone takes the coreqs before applying because if you didn't and others did, you won't get in. Our school goes on a point system so the corequisites count as points towards getting in.
A&Ox6, MSN, RN
1 Article; 572 Posts
I'm graduating from an AAS in NYC. My school actually has very high nclex pass rates. We have 4 prerequisites and five corequisites. Most students take them all in advance. There is a highly respected nursing school here that has three or four tracks, one being without prerequisites but requiring summer classes. Basically, the students take all the typical corded as corequisites. To see this type of program, I believe they have a thread on here. The school is Phillips Beth Israel School if Nursing.
I started to apply there a few years ago! Now I can't get the loans. Stupid bankruptcy lol. It's a couple of blocks from where I grew up, but I'm in vt now :/
kaydensmom01
475 Posts
For the school I applying to the only courses that are prereqs are high school level. The rest are coreqs. But because the program is so competitive everyone takes the coreqs before applying because if you didn't and others did, you won't get in. Our school goes on a point system so the corequisites count as points towards getting in.[/quote']This is all of the universities around me that I have heard of for an Associate Degree. If you do well on the Compass test when you are accepted to the school then you don't have to do any pre-req's and you start on co-req's. I did well on the compass so my first semester I took a&p, gen chem, psychology, and micro in spring, got A's and was accepted fall semester. I applied to the nursing program before I even took classes. It worked perfectly for me, but I was significantly more busier than most others in the program because I still had a lot of non-nursing classes to take, but I loved getting in and out in less than 2.5 years.
This is all of the universities around me that I have heard of for an Associate Degree. If you do well on the Compass test when you are accepted to the school then you don't have to do any pre-req's and you start on co-req's. I did well on the compass so my first semester I took a&p, gen chem, psychology, and micro in spring, got A's and was accepted fall semester. I applied to the nursing program before I even took classes. It worked perfectly for me, but I was significantly more busier than most others in the program because I still had a lot of non-nursing classes to take, but I loved getting in and out in less than 2.5 years.
Dranger
1,871 Posts
I wouldn't want to go to a nursing school without pre reqs. Don't cut corners...
Marsha238612
357 Posts
Nursing school that requires no prereqs. Sounds dangerous. I wouldn't recommend it since all the science prereqs are soooo important.
I don't believe in shortcuts that seem toooo good to be true
:) good luck though