Published Aug 1, 2007
salsaking
118 Posts
I'm wondering what all of you guys have done to stay competitive in your nursing prereqs specifically Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, and Micro. To be competitive for most programs you must have a 3.6-4.0 atleast in Southern California and I've found it exceedingly difficult to accomplish. I dont know if I've just had bad luck with certain professors but I got a C in anatomy and that has killed me while applying to various programs. Or maybe the fact that I've been working full time throughout this process has killed me? My Cumulative GPA is 3.4 but my science GPA is only about 2.8. Is anyone else in the same situation as I am? It feels like I am stuck in College purgatory with no end in sight.
PMFB-RN, RN
5,351 Posts
*** The ADN program I went to in WIsconsin didn't have any prereq classes. All classes where taken during the two year program. The other community colleges in Wisconsin do not have prereqs either but some of them have long waiting lists and people use that time to take their non-nursing classes. My school has a short waiting list for the regular ADN progam and none at al for the part time evening and weekend program designed for those who must work full time while in nursing school. You can take most all the required classes, including all the nursing classes except clinical s and skills labs on-line.
If yu are interested in re-locating for a time to get your ADN here is the schools web site:
http://www.swtc.edu
If interested in taking classes on line go to http://www.etechcolleges.com
There are 16 schools in the Wisconsin Technical college system and the second web site lists all the online classes offered by all the Wi technical colleges (what Wisconsin calls community colleges). You can take an online class through any of them and it will transfer no questions asked to any of the others.
coolpeach
1,051 Posts
Here in Dallas we are being told that we really need a 3.8 to 4.0 to be competitive. Here there are no deductions for retaking a course so thats what we do. It's very common for students to retake a course for an A. On the top 4 courses A&P 1, Pych, Chem, and English you must have an A. Even students who make a B retake for an A. It's not uncommon to see students retaking the course 3 or 4 times.
Asherah, BSN, RN
786 Posts
I'm wondering what all of you guys have done to stay competitive in your nursing prereqs specifically Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, and Micro.
My strategy for success in the core sciences was to focus on them one at a time (while taking other more basic pre-reqs, such as Human Growth & Development, Nutrition, etc.) I went back to tackle the pre-reqs in Jan 2006 after graduating in 2004. It took me three semesters and one 6-week summer session, but I achieved a 4.0 in those four courses and feel that I took away so much of the material for the long-term.
I know for many students here who are choosing to apply for ADN programs, they are also motivated by the fact that they will be penalized for retaking a course if they receive a C or less.
My best advice would be to assess how many courses you feel as if you can handle, and focus on time-management. I also work full-time, so I took evening courses (6p-10p, usually) and I managed it. If you truly have the drive to do well, you'll find yourself staying up for those late hours and putting in the time, some way, somehow.
Good luck!
fragino
155 Posts
It all depends on what state you're in, what program you want to get into and whether you go to a private or public college. In California, at my CC, the competition is based on the four pre-reqs only. We are allowed to retake a class once. Of course with all the CCs within reasonable driving distance of here I've known of some people taking it more than twice but only submitting the transcripts from certain schools. The program directors know this happens and they even mentioned it as a strategy that some people use to get into the program. Me...I used the one class at a time technique. While I was still on active duty, I took one science class at a time so that I can concentrate on getting the best grade I can out of that class.