When can I work?

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I just applied for nursing school to start Fall, 2015. Assuming I am accepted...how does this work? It is a BSN program, but you don't have to finish all your general classes before nursing, which I haven't. I will still need a handful more to graduate with my BSN (world history, Economics, etc.)

Once I finish nursing, I can apply to take the NCLEX then, right? Will I have to wait until I finish everything to start working?

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This could vary according to that state that you are in -- in order to sit the sit the NCLEX you will have to receive an authorization to test for the state BON.. most will require an official transcript from the school showing the date that degree is conferred in order to be eligible..

Thus if you finish all your nursing curriculum yet still lack a semester of general education classes in order to graduate.. most state BON would require you to take that last semester, get your degree, then apply to test.

Check with the state in which you are interested in practicing.

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From my understanding you will have to graduate, apply and register to take the NCLEX, pass NCLEX, and then once you're hired in somewhere you can start working.

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Specializes in Pedi.

You have to graduate from the program so you need to complete all the requirements for the degree. You have to have a degree in nursing from an accredited nursing school to be granted authorization to test.

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Thanks. Ugh! Maybe I need to reevaluate. The thought of waiting an entire year after finishing nursing (or even a semester if I can cram all the classes into one) makes me nervous! Seems I need to take it while the material is just completed, right?

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Most people enroll in programs that require them to complete gen.ed. courses and pre-requisite nursing courses first, before getting to the core nursing classes. It'd be pretty odd indeed to find a program that has you do all nursing material FIRST, and THEN get to the rest....? If they don't require it prior to your core nursing courses, it'd be an unwise move to wait until "later" as you are correct in wanting to take the NCLEX as soon as possible after graduating.

I honestly don't think I've ever heard of anyone doing it as you describe (killing a year doing more general ed courses at the end).

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I'm confused about what you're asking. Are you asking if you should complete your nursing prereqs (history, econ, etc) while your taking your nursing classes? If so, you're going to have to take these classes to graduate (depending on your program) regardless. I would just take one or two along with your nursing classes and get them all done at the same time rather than complete your nursing classes and then go back and take the prereqs. Sounds kind of silly to me to wait until after the hard nursing classes are done.

In my program it's recommended that we take A&P 1&2 and Microbiology before we enter into the program but it's not a requirement to being accepted. So those that didn't take those classes (most will at least have their A&P's done) will take them along with their nursing core classes. It's very doable! If you are able to I would even consider taking some of those prereqs in the summer to lighten your load in the Fall.

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Most people enroll in programs that require them to complete gen.ed. courses and pre-requisite nursing courses first, before getting to the core nursing classes. It'd be pretty odd indeed to find a program that has you do all nursing material FIRST, and THEN get to the rest....? If they don't require it prior to your core nursing courses, it'd be an unwise move to wait until "later" as you are correct in wanting to take the NCLEX as soon as possible after graduating.

I honestly don't think I've ever heard of anyone doing it as you describe (killing a year doing more general ed courses at the end).

To apply and start the program, you have to complete 12 classes:

College Algebra

Statistics

Survey of Chemistry I & Lab*

Survey of Chemistry II & Lab*

Anatomy & Physiology I & Lab*

Anatomy & Physiology II & Lab*

Microbiology & Lab*

English Comp I

English Comp II

General Psychology

Developmental Psychology

General Sociology

I am taking the chemistry series and developmental psychology this semester and summer, and have finished the rest. My thoughts were...It is extremely competitive. I have maintained a 4.0 since returning to school. If I take the other classes, I have to ensure I keep a 4.0 for best chance of acceptance. However, if I take them after nursing, I just need a C to graduate (I have never made a C, but that takes the pressure off.)

HOWEVER, I made this decision based on listening to others in my class who said we could take the NCLEX then finish our other classes for our BSN. Now I realize that doesn't make sense! I totally should have confirmed this before now! I have already paid the fee to apply, taken the TEAS which I think is good for 1 year (waiting would push me back more than a year.) I really don't want to take it again, but I also want to pass the NCLEX! (Most important in all this) I am torn!

From the website, regarding the other general core classes:

All students must complete certain core classes before being able to graduate with any Bachelor's degree. These courses can be taken before, during, or after acceptance and completion of the BSN program, but all courses must be completed before you can graduate with a BSN degree.

I'm confused about what you're asking. Are you asking if you should complete your nursing prereqs (history, econ, etc) while your taking your nursing classes? If so, you're going to have to take these classes to graduate (depending on your program) regardless. I would just take one or two along with your nursing classes and get them all done at the same time rather than complete your nursing classes and then go back and take the prereqs. Sounds kind of silly to me to wait until after the hard nursing classes are done.

In my program it's recommended that we take A&P 1&2 and Microbiology before we enter into the program but it's not a requirement to being accepted. So those that didn't take those classes (most will at least have their A&P's done) will take them along with their nursing core classes. It's very doable! If you are able to I would even consider taking some of those prereqs in the summer to lighten your load in the Fall.

I have some of these done, but am still lacking about 6. I plan on taking one (Gov?) over the first summer when I don't have class, but that still leaves me with Lit, US history, Econ, and 2 simple classes. I mentioned taking two, but my mom who will be babysitting said no way she can handle both girls that much.

I am hesitant to take on much extra while in nursing because I am a single mom with a 2 year old and a 5 year old. I don't want to mess up by biting off more than I can chew. Do you think it is feasible to take extra general classes while in nursing?

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It would be tough but I think you could do it. How long is your nursing program? If it's still two years of nursing classes you could feasibly add on 1-2 of the non-nursing classes each semester. Could you take some of prereq classes online instead on campus? For my first semester back at college I chose to take all of my classes online (Comp 1, Psych, Algebra, and Nutrition). I enjoyed being able to study at my own pace (within reason because there are deadlines for assignments) and I could get my school work done after my son went to sleep at night.

IMHO, I just think it would be in your best interest to try to squeeze those additional classes in there with your nursing classes. Do you know what the schedule is like in the program? The reason I'm asking this is because there are a few semesters in our program where we are only taking two nursing classes at a time, which leaves space open for non-nursing classes. I could be wrong, but I think it would be so much easier to take the NCLEX while all that nursing school information is fresh in your mind. If you had to wait an additional year to test because of finishing up other classes I would be worried that you would forget information. The only plus would be that you would have a full year to review NCLEX questions and study.

Really, though, in the end it's all up to you and what you feel comfortable with! Good luck!!

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Specializes in Pedi.

Other than my senior year, I took core/gen ed classes and/or electives every semester along with nursing classes. It's a very common thing to do for full-time students in a traditional BSN program. Then again, I was a traditional student who entered college/nursing school directly out of high school, lived on campus and took at least 15 credits every semester.

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Other than my senior year, I took core/gen ed classes and/or electives every semester along with nursing classes. It's a very common thing to do for full-time students in a traditional BSN program. Then again, I was a traditional student who entered college/nursing school directly out of high school, lived on campus and took at least 15 credits every semester.

Thank you! I guess I will just wait to see if I am accepted, and then fit extra classes in when possible. If I have to go an extra semester, I will just ensure I study for the NCLEX the entire time so it stays fresh on my brain.

Thanks for all the replies/info :)

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Thank you! I guess I will just wait to see if I am accepted, and then fit extra classes in when possible. If I have to go an extra semester, I will just ensure I study for the NCLEX the entire time so it stays fresh on my brain.

Thanks for all the replies/info :)

I often wonder where the Classmate Experts get their info. What I mean is, you have classmates "informing" you that you will be able to sit for the NCLEX after completing the nursing program, but NOT understanding that you will not yet have GRADUATED from that program (and therefore are ineligible to apply)! Yet there they are, telling you what you can and cannot do.

I swear, a small card needs to be included in every single ASN and BSN nursing program's orientation packet that tells people the URL for AllNurses' website. Would save people A LOT of grief! :)

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