advice on class scheduling

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I have just submitted my application for admission to a 2 year ADN program at the local community college. I will take my pre entrance exam in Jan. During the Spring semester I will take two prereq courses. I am aiming for taking A&P I and Chem 101. My question is this: What if anything should I take in addition to these two classes? I have not yet taken the Soc class. Would I be getting into too much by trying to take anything else along with the chem and A&P? I have to make good grades in these two classes as they are part of the acceptance into the program.

I (was) a stay at home mom (age 30) with three children ages 9, 6 and 3. My husband is very supportive of me furthering my education. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Also, the school only accepts 80 students. They will not even consider me until my two prereq's are completed. I have extra points because I have most of my general's completed. Should I apply for other schools as well?

Thanks guys,

Jenny

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I took my time getting the pre-reqs out of the way, but I was working full-time at the same time. Whether to take more than Chemistry and A&P depends on lots of things. Have you had any Chemistry before? High school chemistry? If you did, and you did well, then that is a plus. Did you do well in Biology? Do you like science? If so, then you would probably be ok to take another class with those 2 classes. If you haven't had chemistry or didn't do well in science in high school, then those 2 classes may be demanding enough that adding another class would be to much.

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Hi Jenny,

I guess it really depends on how comfortable you are in chemistry and science. I will say that most students on this board have found A&P I to be a difficult class. Not that it is impossible or that you can't get an "A" in it but that to do well in it takes a lot of patience and studying. I took it this summer during a 10 week intersession and not to toot my own horn but I got a 100% in it. Of course, I studied non-stop for 10 weeks straight. I would spend up to 6-7 hours a day studying during the weekends as I work full time during the week day. Plus I studied for 2-3 hours an evening during the week nights.

My lab partner was also taking Chem 101 at the same time as A&P I and she got B's in both of the classes but it was a pretty stressful time for her.

You could take an extra class or two on top of the Chem and A&P but why add to your stress if you don't have too? Especially if you have to do well in these two classes to be accepted to the program.

I would check and see if the Psych class is offered in the summer. That way you could concentrate on the Chem and A&P and still get Psych out of the way before you start clinicals.

I don't want to discourage you because I truly feel that if you set your mind to something you can do it, but I'm sure with 3 little ones running around you will want to spend as much time with them as possible. So, if you can get away with just the 2 for now and worry about Psych later, why not do it?

Best of luck!

Col

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I can't add anything to the great advice already given here.. just wanted to say

GOOD LUCK and Welcome to the BB, glad to have you here !

:)

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Thanks guys for your reply. I had just heard that sociology was a breeze so I thought it would be nice to get it out of the way. Plus, it would bump me up to full time. Can you give me an idea of something easy that I could take to keep my full time statis but would not require a lot extra?? How about: fundamentals of nutrition? Or what about a 200 level elective?? That is about all I need besides the regular nursing courses.:p

Thanks again for all your replies. It is greatly appreciated.

Jenny

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Check if you can use speech as on of your electives. Intro to Speech Communications is not too bad. You might also need fine arts credits. You could go for any of the art classes. Good Luck.

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Jenny,

If you can, ask your fellow students what they think about some of the classes and particular teachers. I say this because just because the class sounds easy or hard doesn't necessarily make it so depending on the teacher.

For example, at my school Microbiology is taught by two teachers. Now, you would probably think that Micro is pretty hard, demanding etc. One of the teachers is a real hard nose about lab reports, exams, etc. The other one, whom I was lucky enough to get does not have us write up or turn in lab reports, gave us a take home exam for the 1st exam and instead of taking the second exam she gave us a two page, double spaced paper to write on a virus of our choice. Somewhat of a blow off.

So, if you are able to check with some of your classmates about what they think.

Good Luck!!!

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Hi Jenny

Have you had math and english? These are the classes we had to have before we could be accepted into the ADN program in Dallas; English, Algebra, A&P, Intro to Psych., Speech, Micro, and Developmental Psych.

Speech and Dev. Psyc. could be taken during nursing however, it was recommended that we get everything out of the way so that we could focus only on the nursing classes. They also recommend Inro to Biology before taking the other sciences.

Good luck!:p

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Thanks all for the input! I appreciate the advice. As a matter of fact I found someone here who is located in the same area. She just graduated in May so I am hoping to pick her brain a little on the classes and instructors. :p

Debbie,

Yes, I have everything else done. The only other thing I am lacking is the Sociology class. I am still debating as to whether I will take it or not. Right now I am leaning towards not. I am really glad I will be able to focus on my nursing classes and not have to mess with all of the general stuff at the same time.;)

Jen

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