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?
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
I agree even though pre reqs are the bane of my existence right now I think it should be a requirement for all nursing programs. Good luck in whatever you decide to do OP
Can't see how they can meet the accreditation standards of other nursing programs without requiring the same coursework.
Would be a holy shame to spend lots of time, lots of $$, and then find out that your State does not allow graduates of your program to sit for the NCLEX-RN, wouldn't it?
The biggest thing when choosing a school is that you want to make sure that they are accredited. If they are not I would stay away from them. Second, not all nursing schools require prereqs to be considered to be a good school. In my case I went to a school which was accredited and didn't require pre reqs (even though i did complete pre reqs and the school was an accelerated program btw) graduated and now waiting for the NCLEX. Make sure you do some research on the schools before enrolling
Sorry for the late response. I appreciate all your feedback and I am now looking more into my local community college for the pre-reqs and then Washington State University's nursing program afterwards. I was very hesitant about Sumner's nursing program because there are no pre-reqs required to apply, but they are accredited and you are able to sit for the NCLEX upon graduation. BUT the whole "cutting corners" doesn't seem right to me, especially in the medical field I would like to be extremely prepared more than I would like to graduate in 2 years. I have my GED, so I honestly was scared of not being able to pass everything and if I did I would still be on a waiting list for who knows how long. I just feel people look down upon those with GEDs and that I wouldn't be accepted into WSU's nursing program over any high school grads. That's when I started to look into alternative options. I just need to do extremely well in my pre-reqs and hopefully have a good chance to get into the Nursing Program. I'm only 21 so I have time.:) just impatient a little.
Again thank you for all your feedback. I agree with you all, and Sumner's nursing program is brand new like another poster said, so there are no proof of graduation or getting employment afterwards, I definitely would not want to be apart of their first set of students, paying tons of money just to find out it's a crappy school. No reputation, no bueno. Lol:)
It's not cutting corners if you take the classes as corequisites. Why would you think it is?
Where did she say say they were coreqs? She just said some basic science seems incorporated in. It seems sketchy and I would avoid a new school with no rep at all costs, but hey its your money...
Sorry for the late response. I appreciate all your feedback and I am now looking more into my local community college for the pre-reqs and then Washington State University's nursing program afterwards. I was very hesitant about Sumner's nursing program because there are no pre-reqs required to apply, but they are accredited and you are able to sit for the NCLEX upon graduation. BUT the whole "cutting corners" doesn't seem right to me, especially in the medical field I would like to be extremely prepared more than I would like to graduate in 2 years. I have my GED, so I honestly was scared of not being able to pass everything and if I did I would still be on a waiting list for who knows how long. I just feel people look down upon those with GEDs and that I wouldn't be accepted into WSU's nursing program over any high school grads. That's when I started to look into alternative options. I just need to do extremely well in my pre-reqs and hopefully have a good chance to get into the Nursing Program. I'm only 21 so I have time.:) just impatient a little.
Again thank you for all your feedback. I agree with you all, and Sumner's nursing program is brand new like another poster said, so there are no proof of graduation or getting employment afterwards, I definitely would not want to be apart of their first set of students, paying tons of money just to find out it's a crappy school. No reputation, no bueno. Lol:)
Just do VERY well on your pre reqs and you will be ok. It is true people don't look at GEDs favorably but hey if you kick butt in CC it doesn't matter.
Where did she say say they were coreqs? She just said some basic science seems incorporated in. It seems sketchy and I would avoid a new school with no rep at all costs but hey its your money...[/quote']
I haven't taken a look at the program but Some schools now have no prerequisite and incorporate sciences into their program. For an example even though I did prerequisite before entering Chamberlain college I knew people who were straight out of high school with no previous college credits earned. They completed the program sat for the board and now are practicing. If the school is an accelerated program more than likely they will have the same format as the school I attended.
To me, it definitely seems like it'd be extra overwhelming to do pre-req type classes along with nursing classes. I applied to a BSN program, with a lot if pre reqs. They all have to be completed before you start nursing classes. Each semester of nursing classes is 15 credits, so it's nearly impossible to add any other classes with them. Good luck to you!
I haven't taken a look at the program but Some schools now have no prerequisite and incorporate sciences into their program. For an example even though I did prerequisite before entering Chamberlain college I knew people who were straight out of high school with no previous college credits earned. They completed the program sat for the board and now are practicing. If the school is an accelerated program more than likely they will have the same format as the school I attended.
Well if that is the case it de-legitimatizes nursing as a profession based in science, sorry programs like that don't help the nursing profession. What if we said one day medical schools don't need pre-reqs or hell even the MCAT? The point is everything including entry into nursing school needs to be standardized.
"Incorporating" science into the program is another term for glazing over or cutting corners and I don't buy it.
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.
My original nursing degree from Purdue University was an AAS (1980). There were also no pre-requisite courses. You took all 72 credit hours in four semesters- and yes, this included clinicals, and all sciences- including chemistry and anatomy.
Well if that is the case it de-legitimatizes nursing as a profession based in science sorry programs like that don't help the nursing profession. What if we said one day medical schools don't need pre-reqs or hell even the MCAT? The point is everything including entry into nursing school needs to be standardized. "Incorporating" science into the program is another term for glazing over or cutting corners and I don't buy it.[/quote'] The nursing school I attended needed an entrance exam to get into and was competitive. It was a 3 year Bsn accelerated program which included everything you would take if you attended a traditional nursing program. School recommended sciences but if you didn't have that they would incorporate into your program. Some people don't have the time to take prerequisite course due to many reasons and don't have the time to wait on a waiting list. Why not take a program which incorporates them into the program? It may cost you more but pays off in the long run. Why do you say you don't buy it any particular reason?
? 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? 
LL143KnB, BSN, RN
315 Posts
I agree even though pre reqs are the bane of my existence right now I think it should be a requirement for all nursing programs. Good luck in whatever you decide to do OP