When to actually start nursing classes?

verene, MSN · Jul 16, 2018

Many/most people wait until pre-reqs are done in order to take nursing courses because many programs *require* all pre-reqs being done before the start of nursing coursework. While the program I attended did not require all pre-reqs to be done at time of application it did bolster your application if you had them all done, and they were very, very clear that unless you had them all done by the time nursing coursework actually started they would drop you from the program.

I would look into the requirements for your school. If you are done with pre-req classes this fall and your school only offers once a year (fall start) I'd also look around at other programs - some schools offer a winter term start (January) or summer term start (May/June) which would have you in nursing coursework a bit earlier if you are accepted.

HeatherG1123 · Jul 16, 2018

I'm sorry, I worded that post completely wrong! I'm going to try to correct it. My school requires all prereq's to be done before entering the program and those prereq's are: one college semester of general biology, one college semester of chemistry, math placement (which I tested out of needing to take a class), general psychology, and English 131. These all need to be taken and passed with a 2.75 gpa at the bare minimum before starting nursing classes. I was meaning do most students then try to do A&P, microbiology, the notoriously harder classes before starting nursing classes? Or along with their nursing classes?

Wiggly Litchi · Jul 16, 2018

I was meaning do most students then try to do A&P, microbiology, the notoriously harder classes before starting nursing classes? Or along with their nursing classes?

It's rare that I hear of people taking A&P / micro while doing nursing classes, they're usually done beforehand.

I would honestly suggest doing them before nursing - It's not so much that they are hard, but they require a LOT of time. If you're doing NSG classes simultaneously, you may find yourself short on time. I believe that it's best to have a solid grasp on them before you delve into nursing classes anyway as A&P is your foundation.

But that's just my opinion~ haha

forevernursem · Jul 16, 2018

I would take the science prereqs before you start your program. They're time consuming and require a lot of studying, plus the information you learn in them will help you in your nursing classes.

studentnurse5694 · Jul 17, 2018

I took three full time semesters (summer 17, Fall 17, Spring 18) to complete all of my non-nursing courses. I do still have two (micro and public speaking) that I will not have completed. Those I plan to take next summer between year one and two of my nursing program. I am considering taking A&P I and II over again this year to increase my Bs to As but I am not sure that I want the added work or if its worth it.

I can say that I am relieved that my focus will be nursing and not HAVING to worry about anything else. I am sure that many students take the other courses along with nursing, but I feel that the better you are able to set yourself up, the more successful you will be.

RainbowSprinkles · Jul 17, 2018

Lots of people start the science classes right from the jump. I've seen freshman start with AP 1, PSYCH, ENGLISH 101,and another elective and the gradually move up until they are ready to apply to nursing. I wouldn't save all my sciences classes to the end, then your stuck with all these difficult classes, that normally require to take a class before taking it. Plus the core nursing programs are pretty rough. I wouldn't want to be taking sciences courses with them.

verene, MSN · Jul 17, 2018

I was meaning do most students then try to do A&P, microbiology, the notoriously harder classes before starting nursing classes? Or along with their nursing classes?

In my program you had to have completed A&P and micro to even apply so they were considered pre-reqs not nursing coursework.

If I'd stayed at the community college A&P and micro were required to apply as well. I think the only coursework that could be taken concurrently was stats and nutrition as most of the local BSN programs required them but the ADN programs didn't so you could take them prior to or during the ADN program if you knew you wanted to bridge to BSN afterwards.

EmDash · Jul 18, 2018

I can't imagine doing nursing coursework without having taken A&P. Three out of my four classes rely on understanding some aspect of A&P, and I can't imagine trying to learn the physiology for the first time while also focusing on the nursing aspects. It'd just make things a lot harder.