Would this discourage you?

teresaden · Sep 11, 2006

I just graduated from nursing school with 11-year old science credits. (Just under the wire for the 10 year limit at my school). Many times I wished I had repeated the classes although I wasn't required to. Can you take the pre-reqs over at a community college and transfer them? Where I live, some of the university insructors teach, or have taught, at the community college and vice-versa. Same class, less money.

MQ Edna · Sep 11, 2006

I graduated from an accelerated program 8/05. They where willing to transfer all my credits from a biology degree I earned in 1984. I still needed to take 3 of the upper level science courses because they were not included in my original degree. However my A & P, and organic chem credits transferred.

I graduated cum laude and perhaps that's why they where willing to transfer those 20 year old credits. Obviously every nursing college is different. Maybe you could find one that would be willing to take the credits from your first degree. Where your grades good on that first degree?? I went to school with a lady who had to retake some of the basic science classes because she had earned c's or d's the first time around in 1987.

I have to admit that it was really tough taking those upper level sciences with that rusty 20 year base behind me, but it is doable and with alot of hard work you can do well.

Good Luck!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2006

If you want to be a nurse badly enough, you will find a way to accomplish this seemingly daunting feat. As the previous poster mentioned, you might want to retake the science courses at a local community college. Junior colleges tend to offer the same lower-division classes as most universities, but at a significantly reduced cost per credit hour. I am enrolled in 15 credit hours worth of classes at my local community college, which equals 5 classes at 3 units each. Three of my five professors have doctorate degrees and the other two are adjunct professors with only a few units to go before earning their doctorates. Junior colleges offer quality instruction at a lower price.

chuckc, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2006

I did not have to repeat my chem and micro, but I did take anatomy and physiology again, it had been a number of years. I did not realize how much I would need it, especially the physiology. I really would have been somewhat lost in nursing school if I had not repeated it to refresh myself. That is just my experience. On the other hand, I took statistics without taking a recent course in algebra, no way was I going to repeat that. I did just fine without it. These are just my experiences. Good Luck!

catlady, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2006

How about testing out through the CLEP exams?

Elisheva · Sep 12, 2006

I have been out of nursing 10 years and am taking a refresher course soon to return. I dragged out my Anatomy and Physiology book last week and realized I really had forgotten a lot that I need to remember (acid-base balance, electrolytes). I've ordered a new A&P book. I don't think you'll regret retaking those classes in the long run. To me, a solid base in anatomy makes nursing interventions so much easier to comprehend. Worth a review.

ICRN2008, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2006

How about testing out through the CLEP exams?

This is excellent advice- my school allows students in the accelerated program to CLEP most classes for which they provide a test. I am certainly glad that I didn't have to sit through Human Development and Sociology!

It's definately worth checking with your advisor, because it is only about $50-100, which is a lot cheaper than the class (not to mention the time you save!)

goodknight · Sep 12, 2006

I don't think you can CLEP after you have taken a course. But if you CAN that would be one way to go.

Community College is a good idea too. Same content, less $$$

catlady, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2006

If they're not going to accept her credits, why shouldn't she be able to CLEP out of them? AFAIK, you only can't repeat courses that you're getting credit for--no double dipping.

Trauma Columnist · Sep 12, 2006

You know when I first read through this post, I thought about Clep as an alternative. However, my thoughts have changed. A&P, micro and chem are the basics of our nursing education. I think you need to have current knowledge of these in order to be successful down the line in the nursing field. So...I would vote for re-taking them.

As an aside, I originally took A&P and micro in 1978, re-took them in 1990 because they were too old and I'm glad I did.

LuvMyGamecocks · Sep 12, 2006

I agree that the science classes should have a time limit before they need to be retaken.

I also agree that it's very possible that you don't have to take these classes at an expensive college. I would think that tech schools & community colleges would be the way to go considering they are FAR less expensive (than even state schools), and the credits usually transfer with no problems.