So confused-What to do?

daytontires · Aug 13, 2012

BTW, I am in North Carolina but by 2014 I will be in Florida and most likely California.

Saysfaa · Aug 13, 2012

No. You need the part of the program that the 20 people per year are doing as well as the general education (gen ed) and prerequisite classes that are what you are doing right now to get the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) that would allow you to take the test.

What you can do, is look up the gen ed and prereq requirements of lots of nursing schools near Marine Corp bases. You will see a pattern to them. Certain classes (anatomy, physiology, English comp, algebra, etc) will be required by virtually all of them. Other classes will be required by most of them but with some variation (one school may require speech and another accept speech or interpersonal communiations).

Then make a plan of classes over the next two years that will end up with the maximum chances of having all the prereqs and gen eds done where ever you go. Oh, and make a note of the prereq classes that have prereqs - often, microbiology will require either chemistry or biology so even if you don't get the micro done, you will be able to take it right away.

LindseyRN86 · Aug 13, 2012

Wait this isn't making sense to me....you generally have to be in a nursing program to obtain nursing core credits...so therefore you wouldn't be able to take the nclex because you wouldn't have taken the core classes. Am I reading this right? In any case sounds like you should talk to a guidance counselor to see what you could do. Good luck

Stephalump · Aug 14, 2012

Have you actually taken any nursing classes? I highly doubt it, and I'm sure you'll be kicked out if you somehow managed to register yourself. Were you just planning on showing up to class without being allowed? If there are only 20 students, I think they'll notice you're there.

And, no. The program has to accept and graduate you and send the appropriate information to the state for you to be approved to take the NCLEX. You may want to do some more research on how the system works before 2014!

loriangel14, RN · Aug 14, 2012

You need to complete a nursing program before you can get permission to write the NCLEX.

daytontires · Aug 14, 2012

Thank you for those who have helped me. I am not an idiot, I understand I need those nursing credits. My question was specifically if I could take the nursing credits without being in the program if I already had all of the other courses completed. Thanks again.

loriangel14, RN · Aug 14, 2012

Do you can't take the credits without being in the program.

daytontires · Aug 14, 2012

Well at the school in currently enrolled in I can take all of te credits to obtain my ADN degree except for the core nursing courses. Which is obviously the main purpose. Again which is why I have been so confused.

allnurses Guide · Aug 14, 2012

I'm not sure I get it?

You are taking all the Med-Surge classes? OB? Psych? Etc?

I don't know of any school that lets anyone take those classes... unless they are in the program.

Anything that is not "core" (which is what I listed above) would be what... prereq's???

I'm just a wee bit lost, here.

All I know is, no core classes completed+no clinicals=no sitting for NCLEX.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Aug 14, 2012

Sounds like the ADN degree you'd be getting would be a humanities one, meaning you could take all the pre-reqs for the nursing program plus a bunch of "filler" courses to total the number of credits needed for a general "Associates Degree"....some schools call it an Individual Studies program, meaning you aren't actually matriculated in anything. And the degree is nearly worthless.

No, OP, I don't think you're an idiot but I think it's clear you don't understand how the nursing program actually works. Once your pre-reqs FOR the nursing program are completed AND you are accepted INTO the program, you begin a two-year course of study that includes classes, labs, skills labs, and assignments in clinical sites (may include hospitals, nursing homes, specialty-care centers).

Only upon successful completion of all of those components may you graduation FROM the nursing program, which allows you entry to the NCLEX examination.

No, you cannot take a single one of the required courses without being enrolled in the nursing program itself....that's what the waitlist is FOR. All the people currently enrolled as well as on the waitlist must graduate from that program before taking a shot at the licensing exam.

Does this help explain it?

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Aug 14, 2012

It sounds like you would like to "audit" the classes to obtain the information you might need to become an RN. As others have stated, no, you have to be in the program, do your clinicals (hands on part of program) and successful graduate. My advice is to take all of your core classes and make the highest grades possible. Nursing programs are very competative! It sounds like you need to research some BSN programs in various states, or even on line, and see what pre req's you will need. Make A's in them all, and when you get settled, then get into a BSN program which will serve you better in the long run anyway.

Nursing programs are not like anything else you will take, so if you have all the pre req and other classes like the required biology, chem, statistics, etc., your life will be easier.

I would also suggest you get your CNA and begin working as a CNA. It will give you invaluable experience and insight.

Good luck and work hard. Preparation and participation is the key to success. Just showing up is never enough.