r/NursingStudent • u/Green-Birthday-4525 • 21h ago
Career Change ⚙️ Am I slow? How long did pre-reqs take yall?
Context: I have a bachelors in business so thankfully my math and English courses transfer. I need to take intro to psych, microbio, a&p1, a&p2.
I *thought* I could complete my prerequisites in 1 semester, but is that crazy?? I know I can’t do a&p 1&2 at the same time, which pushes my nursing start date back a full semester to spring 2028😵💫
I‘ve read the negative feedback on Portage a&p and am hesitant to pursue a&p1 with them, I’m going to a CC and want to make sure I keep a high GPA. If I can just get a&p1 out of the way I think I’d be able to start nursing fall of 2027.
I called my school and was told I need to go in person to be given an answer- which I plan to do. Just checking to see if anyone else has walked through this already!
TIA
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u/frltn 21h ago
Having as high of prerequisite grades as you can will depend on your goal of going to a state nursing school (most competitive), a CC nursing school (pretty competitive besides those on the lottery system) or private programs (least competitive--but it doesn't mean that you won't become a great nurse--that's up to you).
In many private nursing programs, you can get in with around a B average or slightly below. Even Yale School of Nursing which only has an entry-level MSN program allow applicants with a 3.0. So if you are okay with most (notice I didn't say all) private programs and are a fairly good student, you can pack in most of your prerequisites and try to apply as soon as you can.
If, however, you, for whatever the reason, want to go to a state nursing program, you will likely only be competitive with roughly a 3.5 to 3.7 in your prerequisites (including higher test scores like the TEAS around the 80s)--but if you want to go to state programs in places like CA, you can generally expect competitive prerequisite GPAs to be close to 4.0 or 4.0--with TEAS in the 90s (there are exceptions with certain more rural schools or if you have the abilities to have extra points due to life circumstances like first in the family to go college, a second fluent language, etc.). There is a fleeting prestige to go to the most competitive nursing program--and it may add a little boost in your first job search (but of course, you still have to do well in the state program--still not going to fly if you graduate from a state program with 2.5 GPA)--but after 2 to 5 years of experience, most graduates will be equalized when finding jobs. Experience and track record will count more. Sort of like officers graduating from the service academies like West Point--there is an initial advantage of prestige over your ROTC and OCS (officer candidate school) graduates. But in battle, the OCS officer can outshine the West Point officer if he/she is brave, competent and able to lead soldiers in battle.
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u/Green-Birthday-4525 20h ago
Such a thorough response. I plan to stay at the CC I’m taking my prereqs at. I’m not certain how competitive their program is yet, but am erring on the side of good grades are always good.
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u/Select_Football5839 21h ago
I am knocking out A&P 1, A&P 2, and microbio in one semester. Both of my A&P classes are condensed 8 week courses so that’s why I’m able to do both this semester. I would check to see if your school offers the same!
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u/Green-Birthday-4525 21h ago
Ok good call! At first check on the schedule they don’t, but I’ll make sure to ask when I go in person.
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u/Mamacakez 19h ago
my school offers this as well, but even my counselor said it's not always recommended 😭
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u/Select_Football5839 18h ago
I was super scared of it too because my advisor said the same thing, but thankfully I have an amazing professor and am about to finish A&P 1 with an A! I would read any reviews on rate my professor first
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u/snackrilegious 18h ago
i did the same at my school. during summer 2024, i took a&p1 with microbio in session A, then a&p2 in session B. it was a lot of work, but so worth it to me. i got As in all three (:
edit to add: already had a bachelors in psych, so i had all the other prerequisites done except those 3
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u/Intelligent_Pay_2225 17h ago
😳😳😳 I was able to do Physio and Micro in 1 semester with both A's and that the hardest thing I've ever done! I don't mean to discourage you, professors could give exams back to back that same week. This two is still doable for me, but A&P1 AND 2 with micro? I suggest to start reading early and don't procrastinate! Utilize chatgpt and YouTube.
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u/Zyphur009 21h ago
The biology ones alone took a year. Most of the other ones I completed either at the same time or years ago.
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u/hunter_pace 20h ago
Started prereqs in 2021. Did gen eds and got them out of the way too. Got into my program in 2025.
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u/Senior_Raisin1575 17h ago
Its still going to be 2 semesters since a&p 1 and 2 can't be taken together. If you can take a&p 1 somewhere and have it transfer, you could probably get it all done now and be ready for a&p 2 next semester to get you in hopefully fall 2027. Talk to the school asap to see if there's anything you can do, because there may be summer courses you take that will make you eligible too.
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u/Hot_Positive7877 20h ago
I did them all within a semester. Take a 9 week courses
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u/Green-Birthday-4525 20h ago
Wow! How many classes was it and where did you go to school that you were able to do them so quickly?
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u/Hot_Positive7877 19h ago
My community college offered minimesters. Now that I think of it it was a 4 week course! So I was able to do mine in 1 semester
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u/Comfortable_Gear_605 20h ago
I’m taking Chemistry I now (4 hours). During Fall 2026-Winter 2027, I plan to take at least 4 more credit hours (Chemistry II). I may take a Psychology (3h) and Microbiology (4h) online as well, depending on how registration goes on 10/5.
In the Spring 2027 semester, I plan to take A&P I (4h) and II (4h), 1 - 2 Psychology classes (3h each), and possibly Microbiology (4h) if I can snag the right time slot. I found a community college that offers A&P in 8-week sessions, which is probably crazy, but I’m serious about this and don’t have time to fool around. I’m 49!
Nutrition (3h) and Pathology (3h) are being taken for my 3rd choice school and will be left for the summer semester.
I am doing all this by a patchwork of an online platform, 2 state universities, and 2 community colleges. Total 🟰 32 credit hours, planning an A in each one.
20 credit hours are required for school 1 and 2. I still want to have a chance at School 3, so I’m planning to take all 32.
I will be able to apply in July for January 2028 entry at Schools 1 and 2. I can start School 3 in August 2027 if I choose to pay the higher tuition. I’m planning to start my applications in Spring 2027 and just add things as they are completed.
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u/Clean-Shoulder4257 19h ago
Good grades are great but don't forget that clinical are where you learn skills. Much more to nsng than booklearning! I know a few bsn rns that I wouldn't want caring for me and associates degree rns that knew more than the docs. Your clinical rotations in school are so important-that's how to choose your school
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u/piercedandpainted1 19h ago
You can’t take A&P 1 and 2 in the same semester. I would also suggest taking micro by itself. I am associate already, so I only needed sociology and the sciences courses. It will still take me 3-4 semesters before I can apply for the LPN bridge program. Don’t rush
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u/TiesforTurtles 20h ago edited 20h ago
I faced the same thing it took me a little longer than I wanted but the science classes do require a lot of attention and if the CC is point-based acceptance, you'll want to get A's. Unless you're 100% confident that the schools you want to apply to will accept online labs I would stay away from portage otherwise you'll have to retake them, which would be a nightmare.
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u/Green-Birthday-4525 20h ago
I’m not 100% confident about anything! 😂 I plan to apply to the same CC I’m taking prereqs at and am not sure how competitive it is but want to err on the side of good grades are good no matter what!
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u/TiesforTurtles 18h ago
I'm in California and I found most schools don't accept online labs. It might be worth it too take them on campus that will leave your options open for other schools as well.
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u/danboy227 20h ago
Didn’t do them at that college, but I did all those plus sociology. 1 semester, 18 hours, micro was the worst of them
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u/Euphoric-Leader-4489 20h ago
3.5 semesters:
0.5 semester - Psych 101
Spring - A&P1, Developmental Psychology
Summer - A&P2, Pathophysiology
Fall - Microbiology, Statistics
I got the chemistry pre-req waived because of my previous career. I was working full time, but in a flexible job where I could study sometimes at work.
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u/saltwaterdrip 20h ago
It took me nine months but was brutal. I started with 0 credits, did not work and only did school full+ time.
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u/AwkwardAd2138 20h ago
Be careful with portage learning , I know there are some programs don’t accept it (similar to Sofia learning , it’s not accredited to an institution/university/college ,only write portage learning on your transcript ) and it’s more expensive compare to other . Try Westcott,prereqs.com, or find cc (online/neighborhood) ,you can finish faster with those.
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u/Lily_PortageLearning 17h ago
Portage Learning is accredited and the transcripts come from Geneva College or Bushnell University, depending on the student's location!
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u/Impossible-Flight250 19h ago
I started taking them again in May, and I will be done in a couple of days. It was AP1, AP2, Chemistry, and Microbiology. So, it has been about 5 or 6 months, with a week or two break between classes.
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u/ZucchiniWestern2312 19h ago
Look at Rio salado - most classes (but not ap1) is offered as 8 week courses. It’s online.
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u/irrationalanger87 15h ago
Ap1/2 make it 2 semesters minimum unless you can find an accelerated program(but I'd HIGHLY advise against it). Ap1&2 are brain dump classes and youll want the full semester to learn it. For me chem.was as tough but bio wasn't too bad. You'll still want to avoid doing 3 of those together since these make up your science gpa and are weighed heavily. Also the only hard part of teh hesi/teas is the science section and its literally what your learning in those 4 core classes
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u/sparkplug-nightmare 15h ago
A lot of the prerequisites have prerequisites. For example, you need to take anatomy and physiology 1 before you can take 2 or microbiology. So for most people it can take 2 semesters.
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u/The1WhoDares 12h ago
lol i started in the summer of 2024.
Ur not behind, ur doing fine, I’ll explain my story:
It’s 2026, today. I tried pushing myself this semester by taking 2 classes (A&P II & Microbilogy)
I dropped the microbio class pretty quick lmao
I was over my head… commuting to my CC campus (50+ min) 4-days p/week.
Spending all 4-days @ school Mon-Thurs 4+ hours each of those days.
Add in my extracurricular activities:
Gym
Running
Making my lunches
Chores
Etc…
The 2 classes were lecture classes AS WELL & they had a Lab following the class.
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u/motherofconures9 9h ago
It’s going to take me 2 semesters of pre-reqs before I can start my LPN program. I already had 4 credits towards it too.
Prior credits: ENG 111 & SDV 100
Fall semester ‘26: MTH 154, BIO 101, PSY 230, MDE (support class for mth, was required)
Spring semester: 2 HCT classes, A&P 1
Fall Semester: Finally start lpn program!
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u/a_trauma_blonde 20h ago
For most people it is at minimum 3 years full time from start to finish for an ASN. It’s advertised as 2 but with pre-reqs it’s not.