How to Plan Out Your Nursing Prereqs | All You Need to Know | YourFavNurseB

YourFavNurseB
9 Aug 201921:48
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video offers a comprehensive guide for aspiring nursing students on structuring their pre-nursing courses effectively. It emphasizes the importance of understanding prerequisites and co-requisites, and suggests a strategic approach to balancing science and non-science classes across different semesters. The speaker recommends completing heavy science courses before starting nursing school and provides tips on placement exams, online classes, and financial considerations. The video aims to help students plan smartly, stay aware of changing school requirements, and make the most of their educational journey.

Takeaways
  • πŸ“˜ Start by identifying the prerequisites and co-requisites for your desired nursing program.
  • πŸ“Š Check the specific requirements from the nursing school you plan to attend, as they may change frequently.
  • πŸ§ͺ Complete science prerequisites (Biology, Chemistry) before starting your nursing program to ease the workload.
  • πŸ“ˆ Aim to finish intermediate algebra and other foundational courses to avoid pre-classes and expedite your nursing program.
  • πŸ“’ Consider the cost per credit and total expenses for your courses, especially if paying out of pocket or relying on financial aid.
  • πŸ“… Plan your course schedule over three semesters, balancing difficult classes with easier ones for a manageable workload.
  • 🌞 Avoid taking science classes together and consider spreading them out to prevent burnout.
  • πŸ“± Utilize placement exams to test into higher-level classes and reduce the need for preparatory courses.
  • 🏫 Look into summer courses to complete requirements, but be aware of the accelerated pace and lack of financial aid.
  • πŸ’» Explore online classes for flexibility in scheduling and to reduce time spent in the classroom.
  • πŸ”„ Regularly review your school's curriculum requirements to adapt your course planning accordingly.
Q & A
  • What is the main focus of the video?

    -The main focus of the video is to guide viewers on how to structure their college courses to prepare for nursing school, specifically for those who are just starting off with no prior college experience.

  • What are some of the prerequisites mentioned for the nursing program at St. Louis Community College?

    -The prerequisites mentioned include Biology EMP1, Chemistry, Intermediate Algebra, Communication between Cultures or Sociology, and College Composition.

  • What is the significance of co-requisites in the nursing program?

    -Co-requisites are classes that students have to take alongside their nursing classes during the program. They are essential to complete along with the nursing coursework.

  • Why is it recommended to complete the science classes before starting nursing school?

    -It is recommended because science classes are heavy and demanding. Taking them while in nursing school can add to the workload and make the program more challenging.

  • How many credits are required to complete the prerequisites based on the St. Louis Community College curriculum?

    -A total of 25 credits are required to complete the prerequisites.

  • What is the importance of performing well on placement exams?

    -Performing well on placement exams allows students to avoid taking pre-requisite or remedial courses before they can start their actual required classes, saving time and money.

  • How does the speaker suggest balancing the course load throughout the semesters?

    -The speaker suggests starting with a harder class combined with two easier ones, and gradually adjusting the balance as the student becomes more accustomed to college coursework and as they progress through the program.

  • What is the speaker's advice regarding summer courses?

    -The speaker advises against taking science classes during the summer due to their intensity and the short duration of summer courses. Instead, they recommend taking easier classes like Psychology, Communications, and English Composition over the summer.

  • What is the speaker's suggestion for handling late start classes?

    -The speaker suggests using late start classes strategically to catch up on required courses. However, they caution that these accelerated courses require a strong commitment and good time management skills.

  • What is the speaker's advice on financial planning for college courses?

    -The speaker advises considering the cost per credit and total expenses, including books, and to keep these costs in mind when planning the course load to avoid unnecessary financial burden and the need to retake classes.

  • How does the speaker recommend verifying the course requirements for the nursing program?

    -The speaker recommends checking the school's website regularly to ensure that the course requirements have not changed, as schools often update their prerequisites and program requirements.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ“˜ Preparing for Nursing School: Course Structure Overview

The speaker introduces the video's purpose, which is to guide viewers on how to structure their courses for nursing school preparation. The target audience includes those who haven't taken college courses before. The speaker references St. Louis Community College's bridge program requirements as a basis for the discussion and emphasizes the importance of checking current prerequisites and co-requisites, as these can change frequently. The recommended pre-nursing courses include biology, chemistry, intermediate algebra, communication between cultures or sociology, and college composition. The speaker advises completing these heavy classes before starting the nursing program.

05:03
πŸ“Š Understanding Credit Requirements and Planning

The speaker dives into the specifics of credit requirements for each prerequisite course, such as biology, chemistry, and intermediate algebra, and provides a total of 25 credits to be completed. They also discuss the importance of placement tests in community colleges and the need to test into intermediate algebra. The speaker shares personal experiences and provides tips on how to avoid taking pre-classes before getting to the actual prerequisites. The focus is on the importance of testing as high as possible on placement exams to save time and money on remedial courses.

10:03
πŸ“… Balancing Course Load and Semester Planning

The speaker provides a detailed strategy for planning out the semesters to avoid taking science classes together and recommends a balanced approach to course selection. They suggest starting with a harder class combined with two easier ones and caution against taking too many difficult classes at once, especially for those new to college. The speaker shares a personal example of how they planned their courses for an RN program and encourages viewers to create a balance, considering the intensity of the classes and their own comfort level with college work.

15:03
🌞 Navigating Summer and Late Start Classes

The speaker discusses the option of taking summer classes and the financial considerations involved, as financial aid typically doesn't cover summer courses. They also mention the possibility of taking online classes to reduce the load and provide more flexibility. The speaker advises against taking heavy reading courses with science classes and suggests spreading out the required classes over the summer to avoid overloading. They also touch on the concept of late start classes and how they can be used strategically to manage the course load throughout the academic year.

20:04
πŸŽ“ Final Tips and Resources for Nursing Students

In the final paragraph, the speaker emphasizes the importance of checking school websites for updated course requirements, as these can change frequently. They discuss the options of full-time schedules, late start classes, online classes, and summer courses, and the need to plan accordingly based on financial aid availability and personal study habits. The speaker also encourages viewers to subscribe and follow them on social media for more education and nursing-related content, and they express their dedication to supporting nursing and pre-nursing students on their journey to becoming nurses.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Nursing School Prerequisites
Nursing School Prerequisites refer to the specific courses that a student must complete before being eligible to apply for or enter a nursing program. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of completing these prerequisites, such as Biology, Chemistry, and Intermediate Algebra, before starting nursing school to avoid overloading on heavy science classes during the program. The speaker also advises checking school requirements as they may change frequently.
πŸ’‘Course Structuring
Course Structuring is the process of planning and organizing the sequence in which a student will take their college courses. In the context of the video, the speaker provides guidance on how to strategically arrange courses across different semesters to balance workload and prepare for nursing school. This involves prioritizing heavier courses, such as sciences, and spacing them out with lighter courses to manage stress and maintain academic performance.
πŸ’‘Co-requisites
Co-requisites are courses that must be taken simultaneously with another course, typically within a specific program of study. In nursing education, these are classes that a student must take alongside their nursing courses. The video highlights the importance of understanding co-requisites and planning to take them during the nursing program, although it is recommended to complete them before starting the program to reduce workload.
πŸ’‘Placement Tests
Placement tests are standardized assessments used by educational institutions to determine a student's proficiency in certain subjects, such as math and reading. These tests help place students in the appropriate level of courses. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of performing well on placement tests to avoid having to take pre-requisite or remedial courses before starting the actual nursing school prerequisites.
πŸ’‘Community College
Community College refers to a two-year college offering associate degrees and certificates, as well as providing a pathway for students to complete general education requirements for a four-year college or university. In the video, the speaker uses St. Louis Community College as an example to discuss the specific course requirements and the advantages of attending community college to complete nursing school prerequisites.
πŸ’‘Summer Semester
The Summer Semester refers to the academic session that takes place during the summer, typically shorter and more condensed than the fall and spring semesters. In the context of the video, the speaker discusses the strategy of taking certain prerequisite courses during the summer to lighten the load during the regular academic year and to prepare for the nursing program. However, the speaker also notes that financial aid may not cover summer courses, so students should be mindful of the costs.
πŸ’‘Late Start Classes
Late Start Classes are courses that begin partway through a traditional semester, often accelerated to cover the same material in a shorter period of time. These classes can be beneficial for students who need to fit additional courses into their schedule or want to complete requirements more quickly. The video speaker mentions using late start classes as a strategy to catch up on or complete remaining prerequisites.
πŸ’‘Online Courses
Online Courses are educational courses conducted over the internet, allowing for greater flexibility in terms of schedule and location. They are often used by students to complete degree requirements or to advance in their studies at their own pace. In the video, the speaker suggests taking some courses online as a way to manage the workload and to have more control over the pace of learning, especially during the summer.
πŸ’‘Financial Aid
Financial Aid refers to the various forms of assistance provided to students to help cover the costs of education, such as grants, scholarships, and loans. In the video, the speaker mentions that financial aid typically does not cover summer courses, so students should be mindful of the costs associated with taking classes during the summer session.
πŸ’‘Academic Planning
Academic Planning involves the strategic organization and scheduling of courses and academic goals over time. It is essential for students to map out their educational journey, especially when preparing for specialized programs like nursing school. In the video, the speaker encourages viewers to sit down and plan their courses semester by semester, taking into account prerequisites, co-requisites, and personal study habits to ensure a smooth transition into their nursing programs.
Highlights

The video provides a comprehensive guide for individuals new to college on how to structure their courses for nursing school preparation.

The speaker references St. Louis Community College's bridge program requirements as a starting point for course planning.

Prerequisite courses for the nursing program include Biology, Chemistry, Intermediate Algebra, Communication between Cultures or Sociology, and College Composition.

It is advised to complete prerequisite and co-requisite courses before starting nursing school to reduce workload and stress.

The importance of checking school requirements regularly is emphasized, as they can change frequently.

The total credit requirement for the mentioned prerequisites is 25 credits, with varying credit hours for each course.

The speaker suggests a strategy of balancing heavier science courses with lighter ones throughout the semesters.

Taking a mix of online and in-person classes can provide flexibility and potentially reduce costs.

Late start classes can be a strategic way to fit more courses into a semester, but they are accelerated and require careful consideration.

Financial aid typically does not cover summer courses, so students should plan accordingly to manage costs.

The speaker shares personal experiences and strategies for course planning, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and research.

The video encourages viewers to create a detailed plan, starting with the end goal in mind, and to adjust as needed based on personal progress and school requirements.

The speaker warns against taking on too many heavy courses at once and advises spreading them out to maintain a manageable workload.

The importance of testing well on placement exams to avoid pre-requisite classes is discussed as a way to save time and money.

The video concludes with a reminder to stay self-motivated, to use various resources like online platforms and social media for support and inspiration, and to focus on the goal of becoming a successful nurse.

Transcripts
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