Nursing is one of the fastest growing careers around the world and the demand is extremely high. If you have a degree in nursing you are almost guaranteed a job when you graduate and the salary is nothing to complain about either, especially when you consider how long it takes to get a degree. However, many people just aren’t sure what nursing school prerequisites are and how long it will take for them to finally get a degree.
If you already have a bachelors degree in the field of science you are a step ahead of the rest. There are many programs around the country that have been created with you in mind. They significantly reduce the number of classes that you need to become a nurse. Many people are able to get their degree in nursing in as little as 18 months, but of course this depends on the amount of time that you will be able to dedicate to your education.
One of the great things about this type of program is that they can be tailored around your personal schedule. Most people that already have a bachelors degree and are looking to make a career move, work full time and may even have a family to take care of. These programs will allow for you to continue your life as needed, while giving you the flexibility to get the majority of your education online. This means that you can do your homework and study when you have the time available. You can also take courses when they are convenient for you. While many programs in other fields boast similar qualities, this is actually very unique to this field largely due to the extremely high demand.
Being that you already have a bachelors degree you will be able to jump right into the nursing school prerequisites. This means that you will not have to worry about taking any general education classes. Every class that you will take will be focused completely on getting you one step closer to being a registered nurse. Not only does this save you a great deal of time, but it will also save you a lot of money.
It is, however, important to remember that you will need to take your classes in a certain order so that you can smoothly transition from one stage to the next. Many classes require that you have already taken other classes first. The key is to work closely with an academic advisor to ensure that you are progressing in the most efficient and effective means possible. Taking the wrong classes can lead to you having to wait a semester or longer before you can move forward with obtaining your degree.
If you have not yet obtained a bachelors degree, the nursing school prerequisites are going to be a little different. This does not mean, however, that you will have to spend many years working towards your degree. There are many technical colleges around the country that have created programs that are tailored to your needs. You can find programs that will not require you to take any lower level classes other than what is absolutely necessary to obtain the skills that will be needed later in the program.
For example, many bachelors degrees require that you take a certain number of art, history and social science courses to meet your general education requirements. Some colleges will let you test out of these, especially when it comes to any math requirements. They may also give you credit for life experience if you can show that you have experience in these areas simply from raising a family or the jobs that you have had in the past. It is important to look at all of the options available to ensure that you do not have to waste time or money on classes that you do not really need.
Other programs will simply test you in a variety of areas to see where you actually stand academically. This could include a math test to determine what your current level of ability is. For example, if you took calculus in high school, it probably isn’t necessary for you to fulfill the requirement of being at a college level in Algebra. Every program is different, as well as each school, so it is important to take the time to understand the differences that may exist. This is especially true if you are looking for a accelerated program that will get you working in your chosen field as soon as possible.
There are a number of classes that will be required of you, no matter where you begin. Some of these include human development, bio-statistics, microbiology, nutrition and anatomy and physiology. You can expect that all of your classes dedicated to the field of nursing will be extremely focused on the science behind the workings of the human body. If you do not enjoy science then this likely is not the field for you, but if you have a passion for learning, chances are you are taking the right step towards your future.
Regardless of where you begin, you will be able to find programs that are able to be completed mostly online. This gives you a great deal of flexibility when trying to manage your personal responsibilities while trying to improve your life. There will be classes that absolutely must be done in person due to their nature, but an experienced academic advisor should be able to explain exactly what you can expect from the program.
You do want to be sure that you take the time to fully investigate the schools that are available to you. One thing that is very important is how the school’s nursing program rates against others. There have been instances where a school eventually lost the accreditation to offer nursing degrees because they weren’t meeting basic requirements. Be sure that the school you pick has a great reputation in the medical field before you make your decision.
You should also look into the job placement rates that their alumni report. The field of nursing is so high in demand that the vast majority of the students should find work before they have even graduated. However, if they are not properly training their students, they may not retain that employment in the long term. Look into not only how many people were employed after graduation, but also how many still had employment 5 plus years down the line. This can tell you a lot about what you can expect when you finally obtain your degree. There is nothing worse than working hard to get your education only to find that you are not employable.
Do not pick a school because they offer the fastest program or the lowest tuition. Do your own investigating and thoroughly compare your options. Every school is different and some are better for others depending on your personal situation. Take the time to make an informed decision, remembering that your future is at stake.
The nursing school prerequisites that will be required of you depend on where you currently are with your education and the program you choose. This is just one step in understanding the entire process. The next is to contact the schools available to you so that you can fully understand what will be expected of you before you commit to heading back to class.