U of M, St. Kates or MSU???

[KATNURSE123]

I am looking into taking prerequisites for nursing school and applying for school for next fall. Where is a good school to take prerequisites? Any online coursework acceptable? Also, I am looking at the U of M's Master of Nursing, St. Kate's BSN, and Metro State's MSN programs for nursing school (I already have a BA in Business). I know they are all very competitive and reputable schools, but I am not familiar with their nursing programs as I know some of these accelerated programs are fairly new. Any feedback would be really appreciated!

[jm_nurse]

Hi there, I just thought I'd chime in on your note. Looks like we're both attempting to go back to school to become nurses after completing a BA in business. I've checked out the same programs you did. After carefully analyzing the prerequisites and a time frame, I've decided to change gears and go the associates route. Be sure to review the prerequisites for the prerequisites. I found that it would take at least 3 semesters to do all of them b/c anatomy requires chemistry, physiology requires anatomy, and pathology requires physiology in most programs. This means you're forced to spread them out causing a significant delay on applying and start date. Just something to consider as you plan. Let me know how it goes.

[KATNURSE123]

Thank you jm_nurse! Yes, I have some of the prerequisites already complete, but I know it is going to take a while before I am prepared to apply to schools. Where are you taking an associates program? I will definitely let you know how things progress. Thanks again for your insite. Very much appreciated.

[andpeggy]

Hi,

I just thought I’d chime in with my $.02. One important thing to note about the post-bac program at St. Kate’s is that prerequisite completion is built into the nursing program—you do not have to have all your prereqs completed to apply to the program. This is rare for a nursing program and in my opinion, extremely advantageous. You already know that you’re in a nursing program when you begin your prerequisites! Plus, it’s an evening/weekend program, which is helpful for those who might not be able to quit their day job quite yet.

I think that their application deadline is coming up fast for Fall 2009, but I think it’s worth a look. The Associates program at St. Kate’s is also accepting applications for an extremely limited time, and I think that’s worth a look as well. The Associates program is set-up in a somewhat similar manner—you can apply without having any prerequisites done, and you spend a year doing your science classes, and then you start the two-year nursing sequence.

If you’re interested, I just got this email about the Associate’s program at St. Kate’s:

Learn about the process to become an associate nursing student at the College of St. Catherine:

Application process, deadlines, and requirements!

Associate of Science in Nursing program Information Session

Friday, March 6th

11:30 am

Room 360, Minneapolis campus

RSVP to [email protected] is required!

Hope that was helpful! J I also looked at the MN program at the U, but since I have no science background, I would’ve spent 2+ years taking prerequisites and wouldn’t have known until the very end that I got in. St. Kate’s just seemed like a safer bet to me, and I really liked the vibe I got when I went to information sessions for both programs.

[KATNURSE123]

Thanks for your reply bikelola! I totally agree with your thinking and actually did end up applying for St.Kates post-bacc program. Did you apply as well?

[muffins20]

Try going to an information session for a school's nursing program, or contact admissions and ask them to send you an information packet. Planning is key when it comes to getting accepted into your program of choice, there's more to the application process than prereqs and GPA.

Other than that, I :redbeathe St. Kate's.... even if the nursing program makes microbiology look like jr. high. I'm not sure how this program compares to other schools, but we definitely don't get "spoon-fed" everything by the faculty during lectures and labs. There's a lot of work, planning, and critical thinking that we are responsible for on our own time. Some people may not like that, but I believe it'll pay off in the end. I think the teachers really do care, and that most of them model the college's mission really well. Not only that, but there are so many students who are also really helpful and supportive.

[andpeggy]

Thanks for your insight, muffins! I’m excited to hear that about St. Kate’s.

Kat, I’m kind of a special case when it comes to St. Kate’s—hopefully it’s ok if I disclose it. I applied to the program last year, and was granted alternate status. Unfortunately, my number did not come up, so I was granted admission for the Fall 2009 cohort. I could not be more thrilled. St. Kate’s was my top choice, and I’m honored to be a part of their program. I’m so glad that you applied, and I hope you hear good news!

[KATNURSE123]

Congrats Bikelola! Hopefully we will be in class together:) That is very cool that they let you know in advance that they were granting you admission. I hate that I have to wait until July to find out! Did it really take that long for you to find out last year?

[andpeggy]

it would be fun to be in class together! i’m enjoying my break from school now (since i have most of my prereqs done already), but in a strange way, i also can’t way for class to start this fall.

i’m anxious for july, too, since i’ll know much more about everything then…hope to see you there! i seriously don’t know how i made it through the waiting period last spring. i think i tried to distract myself with physiology class and lots of running. j

[kmarie724]

Other than that, I :redbeathe St. Kate's.... even if the nursing program makes microbiology look like jr. high. I'm not sure how this program compares to other schools, but we definitely don't get "spoon-fed" everything by the faculty during lectures and labs. There's a lot of work, planning, and critical thinking that we are responsible for on our own time. Some people may not like that, but I believe it'll pay off in the end. I think the teachers really do care, and that most of them model the college's mission really well. Not only that, but there are so many students who are also really helpful and supportive.

^ I agree. I graduated from St. Kate's post-bac program in Dec '08. I had a really great experience and would recommend the program to anyone. My first degree is also from St. Kate's.

[KATNURSE123]

Thanks for your input kmarie! I applied to St. Kates for the fall and they say I will hear in July. I am so anxious to find out! I have not taken any prereqs because the admission application says that St. Kate's prefers to have applicants take their prereqs there. Did you find that a lot of your classmates had their prereqs already complete, or did most spend the first year finishing them? I don't want to waste this summer not taking prereqs if in the event I don't get into St. Kates, I can be prepared to apply elsewhere. Thoughts to those familiar with St. Kate's program?

[kmarie724]

I believe that once you're accepted they want you to take your pre-reqs there. I'm not really sure about taking them during the summer before you find out if you're accepted or not.

What pre-reqs people had to take depended on what their previous degree was in. I don't think there was anyone who didn't have to take any pre-reqs. It took me a year and a half to do the pre-reqs, but I was only taking 1 or 2 at a time. I had to take anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology, and nutrition. I already had taken psychology, sociology, and biomedical ethics whilst earning my first degree (I was double major in psychology and philosophy and decided to go to nursing school when I realized my degree was best for thinking deep thoughts about being unemployed). I couldn't really have done them any faster because you needed to take them in sequence (e.g. anatomy before physiology, chemisty before microbiology, etc.)