These Pre-reqs... are making me nuts!

Nursing Students General Students

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These pre-reqs for these nursing programs are driving me nuts. For most programs, I need the basics: Anatomy, Physiology, Stats, Chem, and Microbiology. Some of the programs also need Nutrition, or Intro to Psych. The Stats and the psych are fine (I got a BA in psych in '07), but I have NONE of the other pre-reqs.

Ok, so I figure I'll look at some local schools and register.

So my first bet is a nice university here, at which I WORK, so I would get tuition reimbursed (woot!) So I'm like, sweet, I'll sign up for a (free!) evening class. Anatomy, here I come!

OH WAIT. Anatomy has a prereq? Bio 106. Huh. Um. Ok, I guess I'll just... register for that then.

OH WAIT. Bio 106 has a pre-req? Bio 105. Huh. Um. Ok, I guess - ok wait, no, these pre-reqs are going to take me YEARS before I can even APPLY to nursing school. My pre-reqs for nursing school have pre-reqs, which have pre-reqs. GAH!

I'm pulling my hair out here! Has anyone else had this problem, starting from scratch? I talked to some of the nursing programs I'm interested in, and they DO offer some summer courses to help people with pre-reqs - but the thing is, most of these classes are quick, compressed online courses designed specifically for THAT program - as in, if I took them, and didn't get into that program, I couldn't use them for credit at another nursing program. Which would pretty much put me back to square one.

I'm also trying to broaden my search to other community colleges, etc, where I would, in fact, have to pay tuition, but it wouldn't be *as* much as a private institution.

I don't know guys. All of this seems so overwhelming. I mean, I do think I can do it, and I DO want to go to nursing school. It's just a lot of stuff that needs to be organized, and get done, and figured out.

I guess it's be good practice for the real deal, huh?

I think I just need someone to tell me to calm down, take one step at a time, etc....

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Specializes in LTC.

I had to start my prereqs for the nursing program straight out of highschool, I'm now 20 years old in the nursing program. Prereqs can take years to complete, but if you take class all year around( winter,spring,summer, fall) you may be ahead of the game. I still need about 4 more classes to take before I can even think about obtaining a BS in nursing. Some students I know are taking the prereqs with nursing school. It all depends on the school. Currently I'm an LPN student, before I apply to do the bridge LPN-RN I need 4 more classes. To make a long story short, you will be taking prereqs for a long time. Just tough it out, be patient, and you will succeed.Time flies by, before you know it you will be in nursing school :) You may also be able to take at least 4 classes a semester. That would also get you in quicker. Best of luck, you'll do fine.

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Yeah... at this point, I'm thinking that there's no way I can work and take those pre-reqs part time, unless I want to start nursing school in like 2012. If I can just quit my job, take out a loan, and take these courses full time.... I might be able to make it work. Thanks for the advice, and good luck to you too!

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Yes, the pre-req mountain can be tough to climb! It's great that you already have the stats class, that means you don't have any math pre-req's to complete. Try making an appointment with a nursing advisor, and bring a copy of your transcripts with you. The advisor can help you come up with a plan of action for your schooling. Sometimes just having a plan laid out makes things less overwhelming. Even though it may take a while to get there, once you have a nursing degree, you have a degree that will be of use to you for the rest of your life! Good luck!

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Specializes in LTC.

You really can't focus on " how long it will take" When I met with advisors at my school, they had a 2 year pre req plan for me to apply to nursing school. I even had to take a pre req for the pre req. Just focus on today and take one day at a time. Yes, its a mountain but you will climb it and get there.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Pre-requisites can take a while to complete! I think it took me about 2 years to get all of mine finished before I could even apply to my school, and then the nursing portion of the curriculum is 3 years long. It's a pain, but worth it. :)

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There is no doubt about it, to get into ns is a big job. I graduated with an AS degree just from my prereqs to get me into ns.

The prereqs are very important and do apply to ns once you get in. All schools are different so the prereqs may vary. The best advice I can give you is to decide which school you want to attend for ns and go meet with a ns advisor and have them help you line out a plan. But deciding which school you want to attend is the most important. It is crucial that you take the exact prereqs that school wants.

It may take some time, but one thing is for sure: The time will pass either way. the question is, do you want to be a nurse four years from now? You can do it, just don't get overwhelmed. Take it one semester at a time.

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*sigh* Yep ... 3 years later and I am now ready to start the program on Jan 5.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing; Geriatrics.

I found myself in the same boat when I started my prereqs. I had to take BIO 050, then BIO 101, THEN I could take A&P1. I'm almost done with BIO 101 now and I can't wait to finally take A&P1 next semester. Then I can apply to the program......... :yeah:

It does suck that there are so many prereqs to the 2 year programs that it really makes most associate degree nursing programs 4+ years long.

You've gotta start somewhere though :heartbeat

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Specializes in L/D.

Like you, I had a previous bachelors degree so when I decided to go back to school for nursing, I only had to take my science pre- req classes. Fortunately, my sciences didn't have any other pre-reqs because then it would have taken me twice as long. I took Chemistry, Anatomy, and sociology(my upper division sociology didn't transfer) 1 semester, then took Physiology and Microbiology the next semester. So it took me a year for the pre-reqs and then 2 years for the nursing program. Even though I could have gone back to the university that I got my first degree from I decided to attend a community college instead to go to nursing school, I think I got through faster doing it this way. Good luck.

Amber

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Specializes in Certified Nurse-Midwife.

Wow! That's really strange that A&P has 2 pre-reqs. I took A&P I and II online at Mayville State University. I really liked the class and it didn't require any pre-reqs. Maybe you could look into something like that.

I actually didn't have a problem with pre-reqs at my school. I started school in January and started the nursing program in August. I started from scratch after getting my GED last year. It is an ADN program so I had a lot less pre-reqs.

I am having a problem now because I did it so fast I didn't take any English classes and I'm having trouble fitting them into my nursing schedule.

good luck!:D

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Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.

even if you do take your pre-reqs at a community college (which I highly recommend because of the $$ you will be saving) you are still going to need to take the pre-reqs for those specific classes.

I lucked out with my pre-reqs. I already had a BS in Biology.

It will take some time, but it will pay off. And its great that your work reimburses you for the classes!

What type of program are you trying to get into?

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