u/babybanana_

i’m trying to get started on the pre-recs for a nursing program i want to apply to & i need to take anatomy 1, physiology 3 & microbiology 1 but anytime i try enrolling in one of those classes it gives me an error message saying i cannot enroll because i have not completed the required prerequisites, but it doesn’t specify what they are!

does anybody know what classes i need to take before enrolling in those? do i need bio 2 or bio 3? a chemistry class? something else?

i also need to take psych 19 but when trying to enroll in that the error message specified that i needed to take psych c1000 first so im not sure why the biology classes dont tell me what’s needed too.

i’m looking into some nursing programs but am having a hard time deciding which type is best for me - would love some feedback!

here’s some background on me: i’m 29yo & have a BS in psychology & currently live in southern california but i’m from pennsylvania & probably do plan to move back there eventually (not in the next 5 years)

why nursing school? right now my career could be described as what some might call *soft nursing* but i actually have no official medical training or licensing. i’m in a clinical setting but it’s relatively stress free, a very narrowed focus & doesn’t require me to *do much*. i work at a reproductive center as an IVF coordinator, ive been doing this for about 4 years. most of the other coordinators i work with are medical assistants but there are two RNs & one LVN. they all do the same job as me, however there are limitations on what i can/cant do - i don’t draw blood (we have full time phlebotomist so not an issue) or give injections (most patients do them themselves so it’s rare they need it done in the office) & someone has to send prescriptions for me. but i do everything else the MAs/RNs do (assist with procedures, teach PTs how to do medication injections, review results with them, provide instructions to them, chart, etc). i LOVE my job & i love working in reproductive health. i want to stay in this field. but i need to make more money. i can never move up in this field without being an LVN/RN. i’m also concerned about possibly transitioning my career from CA to PA in the future without any licensing, even though i have experience.

since i have a BS already, i’ve found some programs that offer an accelerated BSN in 2-3 years but i’d have to do clinicals out of state towards the end of each term so maybe not the best option for me & i don’t know that having an RN is necessary for the career path i want, although it could lead to more money? i don’t think i want to do a full 4 year degree - that’s just so long, i know the time will pass anyways but im just not at a point where i can commit to that yet

i’ve looked at a few LVN programs that seem like the fastest way to get me where i want to be but some of the schools are a lot lore expensive than i was expecting them to be & im concerned that investing that much wouldn’t be worth the pay increase as an LVN. its hard for me to find a good estimate to what i could make as an LVN because most people i’ve heard talk about their salary work in SNF/something similar or a hospital setting & i just can’t say that really translates so working at a fertility clinic so if there are any LVNs with RE clinic experience, id love to hear your thoughts!

i want to keep working while going to school & that’s my other concern. i’ve read the ABSN is a really intense work load & nearly impossible to continue working, even part time. i’m married & split bills with my husband but we can’t afford to completely rely on one income, especially not long term. even with full time LVN, i’m struggling to find a program that would allow me to continue working part time in a clinical setting (normal office hours). i suppose i could do part time. otherwise i think my only option is to quit my clinical job, work part time at night in retail/waitressing/etc to make money throughout my program but IM hesitant to do this… im nervous to leave a job field i love & then struggle to get back into it. i guess the hope would be with a license id be more job marketable?

ughh i dont know!! i’ve been researching schools for the past 3 months & just feel so emotionally overwhelmed with making a decision on what to do. ANY advice is welcome!!