Your experience/advice on prereq classes

Ayvah, RN · Aug 24, 2009

So you want to take one of those groups of courses in the spring? Are you sure you can take A&P I at the same time you take A&P II and Micro? I isn't a prerequisite for II or a prerequisite for Micro for your school?

Really a lot depends on your current situation. Are you working? Do you have kids? Do you have reliable support? (spouse, family, etc). Will you have enough available time to study or do you have other additional responsibilities such as taking care of an elderly parent? Do you have a long way to travel to get to school? How do you personally feel about these courses (as this will give you an idea of time needed)? (for example, for me, chemistry is a lot harder and more time consuming than psych or a&p. Micro falls into the same category as chem for me)

Science courses are a lot heavier than psych will be, and you want to make sure you get good grades in these prereq courses as getting into nursing school is competitive (There were 400 qualified applicants for 75 nursing seats when I got in). If you've got the available time and support then go for it and good luck!

caliotter3 · Aug 24, 2009

There are people who can handle several science courses in one term and those who can't handle one by itself. Only you know what your abilities are in this area and in school work overall. A lot will depend on the requirements for your school. Few schools allow both A&P classes at the same time. A&P 1 is usually prerequisite to A&P 2. Same goes for other courses, Micro may have both A&P classes, Biology, Chemistry, and/or a math class as prerequisites at the school you want to attend. You need to find out what you can do and can't do before you get started. You also should find out if you are able to get a waiver for any of the rules. Some schools will let you take a course without the required prerequisites if you are convincing in a request for waiver. Lots of factors come into play here. Hope you are able to arrange a schedule that allows you to be successful in your goal.

MiaNJ · Aug 25, 2009

Hello all!
I am new to this thread, but excited to share in experiences!
I have a quick question/am needing some advice on my future nursing plans: (hopefully someone can offer me some insight!)
I am in my first semester of taking prereqs to get into an accelerated nursing program (I have my BA in both English/Communication). I want to get these done in a certain timeframe in order to apply to certain schools I am interested in... without being in school for prereqs for two years.
SOOOO......
I am considering taking one of the two roads in the spring:
Microbiology
Anatomy and Physiology I
Psychology
Chemistry
OR
Microbiology
Anatomy and Physiology I
Anatomy and Physiology II
Psychology.
Being new to the science field, I am a bit worried about being overwhelmed with these schedules, but, if it is doable, I completely want to. What do you think? Have any of you overloaded in science courses in one semester? Do you think it is doable, while getting good scores in each class?
Any advice would be so so wonderful. I would ask friends, but I figure the best place to find some good answers would be people who have done the same thing!
Thanks so much in advance!
Brittani
(hopeful RN)

Most schools require AP I completed, before taking AP II. There may be some exceptions, but if you don't have a science background, it may be overwhelming, and you want to get a good grade in these courses.

I would say, try taking 2-3 courses each semester. Are you also working full time? If so, you need time to study, and the AP courses have lab work as well. So do Chemistry and Microbiology.

I think you can do them in 1 year, if you also take a couple courses in the summer months. But trying to cram alot of classes in one semester can be challenging unless you don't have to work full time and have lots of time for studying, lab work, homework, etc. Some people are very good at science though, and grasp concepts fast, and can handle more coursework. But keep in mind these courses are the backbone for understanding the nursing core courses well, so you want to be able to learn as much as you can, and get your time and money's worth for each class, not just try to pass them quickly.

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Aug 25, 2009

Is Chemistry a prereq for either Micro or A&P? In some schools, it is.

One thing you might think about is taking the Psych course via "distance learning" if your school offers it that way. I did my Psych courses online (showing up on campus for written tests as needed).

If you haven't already done so, get with your school's guidance counselor. They may be able to help you chart the best path for completing the prereqs. Not all classes may be offered each quarter/semester, so you might need to do things in a certain order.

If you think about taking some of your prereqs at a different college (like I did), make DOUBLE DARN SURE that you know up front that their course will be accepted by your accelerated programs, and also that you know their class schedule. At some schools, the "spring" quarter starts in January, while at others it may be March or April. Oopsies like this might result in you rushing to complete your prereqs by the deadline (I speak from personal experience here:D). My final quarter of prereqs, I was taking A&P3 (& lab), pathophys, pharm at one school, and taking a required nutrition course at a university ~90 minute drive away. Fun, fun, fun!