Transferring from Community College for Nursing: Do I Need Microbiology?

I'm in community college planning to transfer to a nursing school. Should I take microbiology before transferring, or can I do it after? What classes are usually required for a smooth transfer into a nursing program?

Yes, in most cases, microbiology is a prerequisite for nursing programs and it would be beneficial to complete it before transferring. Typically, aspiring nursing students need to complete sciences such as anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and sometimes chemistry, along with general education requirements like English composition, and likely some social sciences and humanities electives. Each nursing program's prerequisites might be a bit different, so I encourage you to look up the transfer requirements for the programs you're interested in. Remember to also be mindful about the grading, as some schools may require a minimum grade for these prerequisites to be eligible for transfer.

Also, your community college's advisor or counselor should be able to help you in understanding which classes are the most beneficial for your situation. It's helpful to work with them and map out your course plan to ensure you're maximizing your time before transferring to a four-year institution. A point to remember, your general education or prerequisite classes must be satisfactorily completed, typically with a C or better, for them to be transferred and recognized by the receiving school.

One more thing: Make sure you apply for nursing programs that align with your career objectives and long-term professional goals. Look into each program's NCLEX pass rate, this is the exam that you will take upon graduation to become a Registered Nurse. Successful passage of the NCLEX is a good indicator of the program's effectiveness. And remember, transferring to a nursing program involves looking into financial aid, location, class size, clinical experiences, and graduation rates. Each of those factors can significantly impact your student experience. Hopefully, this gives you a bit of guidance and helps you move forward! Best of luck with your transfer process!