Which pre-reqs to take first?

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Hi everyone:

I am going to be starting my pre-reqs in January. Nursing will be a career change for me. I am hoping many non-science credits will transfer, but may not know before registration. Anyway, I know I need A & P, chem, etc.

I currently work part-time in law but likely need to quit law and take a big pay cut to work part-time in a field that will be easier with the school work- law just won't be doable for me with the school work. Also I have 3 kids (one is a toddler and not in daycare / preschool yet, and my twins are in elementary school). Thankfully, I have a very supportive husband, who knows nursing has been a dream of mine for a long time!

Anyway, my question is, what science courses to take first? I am going for ADN / RN at UCC in NJ, and in order to start the nursing program, you need an invitation based, in part, on pre-reqs and GPA at the school. My BA courses won't count for that GPA calculation.

Is is doable to take A & P 1, and Chem for Health Sciences together in Jan.? Should I take a different combination of the science classes? It has been a long time since I took any type of science (high school!)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. :)

Thanks!

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Specializes in thinking about being a PA instead, now.

it was suggested elsewhere on this board to take A&P (or whatever 'hard' science you need) on its own in the summer term so as to be able to concentrate fully and not be stressed out about the extra work. :specs:

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Specializes in PCU, Med-Surg/Tele, Psychiatric.

If you have to take General Biology and General Chemistry - I would take those first.

Then proceed with A&P I, A&P II, and then Microbiology.

I did this. Having Biology and Chemistry prior to those classes really helps you to understand the material better.

I took A&P during the summer. It is nice to get it out of the way really quickly, but it is a lot of material to memorize in such a short time, so be prepared to study VERY hard and ALL the time.

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Thanks for the responses! Looks like it will be a long road, but, hopefully, worth it!

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Long, hard & worth it.... that sounds about right! Lol, I seriously hope so for the sake of all nursing students! Good luck & many many blessings!

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I took A&P 1 and Chem together from Jan-May, then took A&P 2 as a 6wk summer course. I would take A&P 2 by itself, but A&P 1 isn't rocket science. It's pretty straightforward, I think Chem is a more difficult course (at least if your's has organic like mine did).

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I took A&P 1 and Chem together from Jan-May, then took A&P 2 as a 6wk summer course. I would take A&P 2 by itself, but A&P 1 isn't rocket science. It's pretty straightforward, I think Chem is a more difficult course (at least if your's has organic like mine did).

Thanks, Honeymist!:) That's exactly the sequence I was thinking about. I am more worried about the chem than the A&P1, but hoping it is doable.

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Hey, my name is Dee, and Im a newbie to the site.

I am very much like you for two reasons-

1) I changed career paths from ultrasound technician due to an interest in nurse anestitist. I know I couldn't further my career as a tech, and nursing allows me to really be involved with patient care much more than an ultrasound tech.

2) I am also taking Chem 102 (General Chem with a lab) and A & P, or I should say I hope I can take it.

I was going to take it with statistics and Introduciton to biology this sem, but the only teacher I could take it with was graded horrific on ratemyproffesor.com. People at my school said he is terrible, and good luck getting a C! I have to work part-time for spring 2010 semester, so I am hoping that they switch the teachers around so I can get at least a decent teacher for Chem.

I am also going to take A&P 2 this summer and then Micro in fall. I think with Micro I am going to take some simple stuff, like an English term course, or basic history thats need for a BS.

Good luck! Lets be in touch so we can help each other!

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I took Bio and Intro Chem the first semester and did good

I am taking A&P I with Biochemistry this semester and doing pretty good. Its doable. But I also don't work

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Thanks for the responses, everyone. Since I originally posted, I have registered for Chem and A&P1. Hopefully, I will be able to handle it, though I know it will be challenging. I found out 18 of my credits from college will transfer. The only courses I now need are the science, a child psych class, and a new keyboarding for nurses class they are now requiring as a pre-req to nursing.

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That's great! I can't register until the 30th. I also plan on taking A& P I and Chem with a lab. It all depends on who the instructor is this spring.

If I end up taking it, let's be in touch! I am sure Spring is going to be tough one. By the way, on the nursing students forum, someone posted unbelievable AP notes with some tips for studying.

Good luck! We are almost there! I plan on enrolling to community college here in MD Spring 2011.

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Sorry, the AP notes are in the pre-nursing students forum.

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