I am starting NS next month and I need some advice. Would you take Micro's Lab (1 credit hour) in the first semester of NS or second? Here is what my schedule would look like below:

First semester

-Fund. of Nursing - 5 credit hours

-Intro to Organic Chem. - 2 credit hours

-Basic Micro Lab - 1 credit hour

OR

Second Semester

-Nursing Agency I - 6 credit hours

-Nutrition - 3 credit hours

-Basic Micro Lab - 1 credit hour

Those are all prereq courses that are needed to get into nursing school here. Sorry I can't give you any advice. Is being a CNA a pre req at your school? If not the first term fundamentals may cover similar material, then if you're a CNA you have the upperhand. I did my CNA class and math, bio and french in the same term so I think the first term schedule you have would be fine.

Being a CNA is not required here. However, when I was in high school I worked as a CNA. I haven't done the work for 13 years, but I am hoping things come back to me.

Being a CNA is not required here. However, when I was in high school I worked as a CNA. I haven't done the work for 13 years, but I am hoping things come back to me.

Well then I'd say take the extra credit. I've heard from lots of people here who took the LPN program before they required a CNA to apply to nursing school that the first term was only a little more than the CNA course. Maybe you could check out the CNA forum here and find the thread on 'video lessons' to review what is ahead of you. But if you have the experience even though it's been a while I don't think one credit of micro will kill you:) Plus micro is bleeping awesome. My favorite class ever was microlab, I wrote a ten page essay on the zen of determinative bacteriology and got to culture my own bacteria swabs. Oh my how I loved micro lab, but it might not be as awesome depending on your instructor and what not.

You lost me with taking micro during NS - had to have it as a prerequisite to even be handed an application to the program. Why the lab by itself? Did you already take the lecture portion? I only seen micro as a five credit (3 lecture 2 lab) course taken concurrently. I can't imagine taking a lab not in conjunction with the lecture but maybe that's just me . . . any who - I would not recommend taking the micro and organic chem at the same time. I see the organic is only 2 credits so it might not be as bad as the nightmare class I had once upon a time. I still think organic is evil.

My mircrobiology was also a pre-req. And I'm kinda jealous of your schedule because I have about 13-15 hours this coming semester. Fundamentals of nursing (9cr.), pathophysiology(3 cr.), and essentials of nursing I think/can't remember the exact name right now, its a 1 (or 3) credit hour class. I did a combined org/inorganic chem at a CC, it was chem for health professionals. It didn't go to in depth into inorg and org chem but it really wasn't that bad. hoping yours isn't too terrible!

mamayogibear: I hope my lab is as awesome as yours was! :)

Southern Magnolia: At my school, Intro to organic Chem must be completed by your first semester as a NS and the Micro lecture and lab must be completed by your second semester as a NS and organic chem must be completed before nutrition. Other than that, all other prereqs must be done before applying. Our combined micro lecture and lab is only 4 credit hours and I just completed the lecture part two weeks ago. So that leaves me with lab which is one day week for three hours. It's kind of weird because I attend a university and this college has around 7 branches. I was taking my prereqs at one of the branches that is closer to my house and they only offer the BSN. Well, this branch that only offers the BSN doesn't require the lab part of micro, just the lecture. I will never understand NS! Now the organic chem is twice a week, but only 45 min each day.

going2BaNurse2014: I was reading some other post lasts night and I couldn't believe the amount of credit hours that other NS students have to take. If I take this micro lab the first semester, here is what my schedule would look like:

Semester 1: 8 credit hours

Semester 2: 9 credit hours

Semester 3: 9 credit hours

Semester 4: 10 credit hours

That's it! Plus, I will probably take one or two nursing classes next summer and therefore semester 3 & 4 will be even less.

Wow! I'm also going to have to say that I'm very jealous of your schedule! For my first NS semester, I'm looking at 18 Credit Hours to graduate in the time the program specifies and to be on the same path with the semester layout they've given us!

Anyhow, I'd say go ahead and save Micro for your second semester, unless you truly want to go ahead and get it out of the way. I don't think it'll be too bad, considering you've completed most of the sections of it, go for whatever you feel you can handle in combo. with one another! Good luck! :)