Took pre-requisites 17 years ago - should I retake?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hi, I have a Bachelors and Masters degree in non-nursing subject areas but took pre-nursing prerequisites about 17 years ago when I thought I wanted to pursue a degree in nursing (I decided to pursue a Masters in library science instead). I'm now ready for a career change and very sure that I want to pursue a degree in nursing through either an ADN or BSN program. Here's my dilemma: the programs I've looked into in California don't have a recency requirement for the science pre-requisites, so technically I'd qualify for admission, but I'm afraid that I'd be at a disadvantage once I'm in a program because it has been so long since I've taken the science classes. I'm prepared to buy study guides and try to teach myself and review the concept before starting the program, but not sure if this would be enough. I just cringe at the thought of having to take Anatomy, Chemistry, Physiology, and Microbiology all over again. Is anyone in a similar situation or know of anyone who took the science pre-requisites some time ago and was successful in a program? Thank you for your help!:)

Have you taken your TEAS test? Sometimes students who have old science classes don't do as well. And, yes you will get to review A/P every semester if you end up not having to retake pre-req's. In my program you have 10 years or they are considered stale.

Since the schools you're looking into have no recency requirement, then I wouldn't retake them. There are numerous resources available online to refresh your memory.

Most programs consider science repeats derogatory, so taking them again may end up doing more harm than good.

Thanks!

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions, you have given me some excellent advice. I will try reviewing the course info on my own and will definitely check out Prof. Marian Diamond's course on youtube!:redpinkhe

Specializes in Med-Surg/DOU/Ortho/Onc/Rehab/ER/.
Hi, I have a Bachelors and Masters degree in non-nursing subject areas but took pre-nursing prerequisites about 17 years ago when I thought I wanted to pursue a degree in nursing (I decided to pursue a Masters in library science instead). I'm now ready for a career change and very sure that I want to pursue a degree in nursing through either an ADN or BSN program. Here's my dilemma: the programs I've looked into in California don't have a recency requirement for the science pre-requisites, so technically I'd qualify for admission, but I'm afraid that I'd be at a disadvantage once I'm in a program because it has been so long since I've taken the science classes. I'm prepared to buy study guides and try to teach myself and review the concept before starting the program, but not sure if this would be enough. I just cringe at the thought of having to take Anatomy, Chemistry, Physiology, and Microbiology all over again. Is anyone in a similar situation or know of anyone who took the science pre-requisites some time ago and was successful in a program? Thank you for your help!:)

Um, I am in CA, applying to CA BSN programs and they do state that the "prefer" your pre-reqs to be done WITHIN THE LAST 5 years. I don't know how far that "prefer" goes but I am assume if they compared two identical people, same GPA and stats etc... that the person who took theirs oh say a few semesters ago, versus someone who took them 17 years ago. My bet is the person who recently did them will get in over you.

Some schools, its mandatory that they have to be completed within the last 5 years. IF the website didn't specify then I would definitely call.

Its honestly not about whether you know the info. If you want to look it up and relearn it own your own that is fine. The fact is that you need to be accepted! They review stuff the first semester of NS anyway, I think.

Good Luck

BTW where are you applying for?

I'd check at the school you want to attend. I had taken A&P eight years ago and will have to retake it because my schools wants some classes taken within 5 years of applying to the nursing program. Not only do I have to retake it (which I'm fine with because I could use a refresher), but I can't even take it right now because they've added a pre-req to it (Chemistry) that I haven't taken yet! :uhoh3:

Anyhow I'd definitely check with an advisor. I'm sure most of your stuff would count, but some of it might have to be a retake. Good luck!

Specializes in Ortho/Med/Surg.
I had a degree in microbiology and they still made me take microbiology -- unreal.

Most programs have this recency issue. I wonder if I could have CLEPd out.

I can hear you!

My hubby is a chiro. When he came at the same CC where he took his science classes for chiro, they said he still needed to repeat anatomy and even general bio. They seriously said it to the Doctor and Bachlor of human biology. Isn't it crazy?

Are you sure there are no recency requirements? I'm in the same boat as you took some of my science pre-reqs 10 years ago, got a BS and MS in another field but am now applying to ADN, ABSN, and ELMSN programs in CA. I have found that at most schools I am applying to there is some sort of recency. Some even have them on general ed. classes! Yes, there are a handful that don't have them but if I were you I would double check to save time and money when you apply. I'm not trying to discourage but I just went through a heck of a time applying to some programs only to get rejected over recency issues that I would hate for another person to go through it. Good luck to you!

Most programs consider science repeats derogatory, so taking them again may end up doing more harm than good.

Regarding this I had to take over pre-reqs for some schools while others did not require it. I was told by admissions to mention this in either my essay or my interview so that the admission board did not think I was taking them over because I had forgotten everything or was trying to inflate my gpa. I think it shows that you are serious about pursuing nursing because you aren't letting obstacles such as recency to get in your way.

I have a BA in English, and my school wanted me to take the English 101 class--I hadn't taken it in University because I tested out and took a higher one. I eventually got them to reconsider and received my credit. What a waste of my time, energy, and money that would have been.

I repeated all of my sciences because mine were older than yours. I don't think I really needed to repeat Chem or Biology, but I think a recent Anatomy and Physiology is a must.

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