Should I take all my core classes now or just try to get in??

Jilaweez, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 11, 2008

If you earn points for taking the classes before applying that means you most likely will need to take them ahead to be competitive. Most people need as many points as they can get to get accepted. I personally took all the pre-reqs/co-reqs first because my school required it and because I figured it would be easier to get through the nursing program and raise kids that way.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2008

If you don't have a job, are strong willed, don't procrastinate and have great time management skills and study habits then apply now and get on with it. It's doable, otherwise they wouldn't offer it. Still, take as many classes as you can reasonable handle prior to getting in.

Otherwise, I advise taking as many courses ahead of time prior to starting nursing. This is what I did, but I have to work full time and I needed the easier softer way.

Knorremeisje · Jan 13, 2008

I am kind of in the same situation. Due to recent changes in the pre-requisites I can apply about a semester sooner to the nursing program. However, most of the pre-requisites have been changed to co-requisites. I figured since the average waiting time is 2 semesters, I'd just finish the pre-requisites and apply as soon as possible. I am planning on taking Micro (co-req) starting in April and A&PII (co-req) during the summer. That way if I start the nursing program in July, I should be able to manage.

Anyway, I would suggest taking all the pre-requisites and then apply. You will most likely have to wait a semester anyways, during that semester you can continue to take co-req's. I think it's the most time efficient way to do it.

Hope it all works out for you! Good luck!

caliotter3 · Jan 13, 2008

The faster you apply to your nursing program, the faster you will know your admission status. Apply at the first opportunity. You may be waiting anyway. While you are waiting to apply again, you can continue to take the required courses until they are completed. If you complete all the required courses and still have not gained admission to a program, then start taking courses that are required for the next step up. Good luck.

birdy88 · Jan 13, 2008

thanks for all your advice!

but what do you mean by admission status?

caliotter3 · Jan 13, 2008

By admission status I meant whether or not you are admitted to the nursing program, whether or not you have been placed on a waiting list. You can't find out any of this until you do, indeed, apply. Who is to say that if you apply before completing all of the prerequisite courses, that you won't be accepted? You just might. So that is why I advised that you start applying as soon as you possibly can.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 13, 2008

I applied while still taking my "core" (known as co-requisites to pre-nursing students) courses and finished up ALL of them before I began the program. You sound like you do not know anything about the admissions process. I highly suggest you sit down with a counselor before signing up or applying to any school. Every school's requirements are different and so is the competition. GL.

caliotter3 · Jan 13, 2008

I agree with MBA2BRN. Knowing the admissions process for each school you are considering will give you the knowledge you need to plan and execute an application strategy. You will know when and how to apply to each program and can plan your courses accordingly. As you might know by now, some schools require all prerequisites to be completed prior to applying and others allow certain courses to be taken concurrently with nursing school. It is always best to have as many courses completed before starting the nursing portion to minimize your workload as much as possible. You want to try to keep your stress level down. Good luck.

anna19 · Jan 13, 2008

in the nursing program that i am going into, you have to have all 64 hrs of the pre reqs done before they will even consider your application for admission. i am in my last semester of pre reqs. i have to have my nursing application in the mail by feb 1 (i've already done that) and after they receive all the applications they will put them in order according to GPA only then send out the acceptance letters. I should know if i'm in my mid march. I will then start the nursing program at the end of may. after the spring semester is over. i will be attending the university of arkansas for medical sciences. and apparently the summer program is hell...so hopefull i will make it. but i think your pre-reqs depends on the school you are going to attend.

benegesserit · Jan 13, 2008

If you're planning to get financial aid, another thing to consider is that you may need full-time status in order to get full payment, and many nursing programs fall short of full-time status.

This is the situation I'm in, so I'm purposefully waiting on a few of the co-requisite classes, as I'll need to take extra classes beyond the nursing program, anyways.

I also agree with the viewpoint that you can go ahead and get the prerequisites done first, apply for the program, and then move on to the co-requisites if you don't get in first try.

I do think that it's a good idea to get as much out of the way as is reasonable before entering the nursing program. Don't put yourself in a position where you have to take 16 units per semester when you could be getting by with 12 or less. But the same goes for doing prerequisites - it's generally better to get As in a few classes than lower grades in a whole bunch of classes if you're applying to a competitive program where grades matter.

birdy88 · Jan 13, 2008

I applied while still taking my "core" (known as co-requisites to pre-nursing students) courses and finished up ALL of them before I began the program. You sound like you do not know anything about the admissions process. I highly suggest you sit down with a counselor before signing up or applying to any school. Every school's requirements are different and so is the competition. GL.

I may not know a whole lot yet seeing as I am just starting out, but I do know some! I'm already enrolled in a school, thank-you-very-much, I thought I wanted to be an english major, but realized how little you can do with that, so I recently started seeing where my love of sciences could get me. I have already been to their information session and know that there are only a few required courses, most of which I've taken -before you can even apply to the program which happens twice a year. I was just talking about the additional core classes that happen while you're in nursing school. I asked a counselor if I've already taken them i don't need to take them again, so I just wondered if I should go on to taking the non-nursing core classes just to maybe make my life a little easier. So I aksed here and am seeing what everyone else did too, and so far input has been very enlightening! I just didn't really appreciate that comment about me not knowing anything.

I do appreciate everyone's advice!