how did you take your prerequisites?

Brighten · Mar 19, 2010

I didn't even choose a major. I just went for like transfer studies (get my 60 GE units) and finished my pre-reqs for NS and then applied.

juliaann · Mar 19, 2010

I had to declare a major even though I don't plan to get a degree from the school I am currently attending (I'm just taking my pre-reqs there because they transfer and it's cheaper). I chose "pre-nursing," but I'm sure any of the sciences would have worked. I will not graduate from this institution or get an Associate's Degree for my work; it's just a place to take my pre-reqs.

If you're just taking your pre-reqs at the community college it shouldn't really matter what degree you declare. Just make sure what you take at the CC will transfer to the nursing program you want to attend!

cheezn4life · Mar 20, 2010

I took my pre-reqs at a community college as well. After two years i will be graduating with 3 AA degrees from the cc & transferring with my pre-reqs & co-reqs done for the nursing programs at the CSU's. When i first registered at the cc i picked some random major & then saw a transfer counselor to get my education plan set before the first semester started. Make sure you do that because in a lot of pre-nursing courses have pre-reqs for the classes! Depending on the college, you should be able to take your nursing pre-reqs & qualify for some type of AA at the same time (even though your eventually going for a BSN)!

sam1984 · Mar 20, 2010

I'm sorry ladies, I'm still confused on how you all do it.

juliaann · Mar 20, 2010

Well, what specificially are you asking? Are you planning to go to just the community college, or the community college and then somewhere else for nursing school? Your declared major shouldn't really matter that much. Just talk to an advisor and make a plan for which classes to take in what sequence. If you're planning to go to another school for nursing school, make sure to meet with an advisor there to get a list of required classes and their equivalents at the community college, so that you take the right things that will transfer properly.

Go in person and talk to an advisor if you're still unclear, that's usually the best way to make sure you're on track.

sam1984 · Mar 20, 2010

I'm unclear about whether or not it is necessary to declare a major and follow through. i read that some of you just take the needed course and then up and go without graduating from CC, but when I spoke to my advisor she stirred me towards declaring a premed major that would keep me in school for 2 years and will award me a A.S that I will not use to seek employment. I already have a BS and don't really care for an associate degree so I was asking how you all went about it.

juliaann · Mar 20, 2010

If you don't want an AS degree, what major you declare shouldn't matter.

Where are you planning to go to nursing school? You will need to either get an AS degree in nursing (ADN) or an additional BS degree in nursing (BSN) in order to work as a nurse. The pre-requisites you need to take may be different depending on where you're planning on going to nursing school. I would be more concerned about getting into the right pre-requisites than declaring the right major.

It sounds like your advisor has advised you to do something that is not your goal. If you want to go to nursing school, you need to be working on the nursing program's prerequistes, not an AS in biology/pre-med. While many of the classes may be the same, it is NOT the same thing.

chicagoing, ADN, RN · Mar 20, 2010

I'm unclear about whether or not it is necessary to declare a major and follow through. i read that some of you just take the needed course and then up and go without graduating from CC, but when I spoke to my advisor she stirred me towards declaring a premed major that would keep me in school for 2 years and will award me a A.S that I will not use to seek employment. I already have a BS and don't really care for an associate degree so I was asking how you all went about it.

I never had to declare a major when I started taking classes at the community college (many years ago). I was just interested in taking classes for enjoyment and had been doing so for 10+ years. No one from the college has contacted me to ensure I am working towards a degree and I don't think they care. :)

raianne · Mar 20, 2010

I am currently taking prerequisites at a community college and I did not have to declare a major. When I told them that I was taking the prereqs there but I would be majoring in nursing at a different school, they registered me as a "non (name of community college) student". I don't think that you should be required to declare a major. Lots of people take classes at community colleges without getting associate's degrees.

donsterRN, ASN, BSN · Mar 20, 2010

It is apparent that your advisor is not aware of your intention NOT to graduate from that school.

IF the school is requiring you to declare a major just to take some science courses, I believe "undecided" might be an option. If not, try "General Studies" or something. Are you going to be taking enough hours to qualify for fulltime student status? Maybe that's where the confusion is coming from...

sserrn, BSN · Mar 20, 2010

Unless you want anotherdegree (besides Nursing), just take your pre-reqs and get outta there. You're not under any obligation to finish a degree there. I declared a major at my community college too (I have a B.A. already) just to appease my advisor, who has to fill out paperwork--that's the only reason they do it; it doesn't mean you actually have to go thru with it--just take the classes you need to take and don't bother with another degree. That would just be silly if you already have a degree and are obviously planning on pursuing another one in nursing.