Be honest please, Am I Kray Kray?

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · May 17, 2014

Personally I'd take as few non-nursing classes as possible each semester. I got all my non-nursing classes done before starting my nursing classes. Most nursing classes are heavy and require hours of studying, homework, care plans etc. The first semester, first nursing classes will be the ones that are often when many people drop out. For your first year first semester classes I'd want as few 'extra' classes as possible. After that first semester you can then figure out if you can handle additional work loads.

RookieRoo · May 17, 2014

I think it's a good idea to take spanish, so you can converse with more patients, but you could always take it at the community college after nursing school. You worked so hard to get to nursing school, you wouldn't want to jeapordize the quality of your nursing classes by taking study time away from them with a nonnursing class, right?

smf0903 · May 17, 2014

It depends on how you are. I took Spanish during my first semester of nursing classes, and it worked out fine. Were there days I wish I had that extra time to study my nursing stuff? Yes! But it worked out, and I'm happy I did it. We had two nursing classes our first semester (which entailed 2 days of four hour lectures, two days of lab, and one clinical day...I was on campus 4 days a week and at clinical site one day a week), and I took two other non-nursing classes (Spanish and Pharmacology...and no, the pharm class is not part of our curriculum -.-) Good luck with whatever you decide to do!!

cee cee g · May 17, 2014

:) Very good points so far, thank you for your posts.

yoga pants · May 17, 2014

Learning spanish will definitely benefit you in your future practice, but I wouldn't take any non-nursing classes while you're in nursing school if you can help it. Nursing school is very different than the pre-req classes. Not only does it require a crap ton of studying, homework, naps, etc. outside of classes and clinicals, but you're learning a new way of thinking. I think the first semester is especially difficult in terms of getting adjusted to the workload and trying to absorb the immense amount of information being thrown at you. I had to completely change the way I studied when I started nursing school because it wasn't about memorization and regurgitation of information anymore like in the pre-req classes. That itself requires a lot of study time, but adding comprehension and really understanding what you're learning doubles the amount you have to study. I would just focus on your nursing classes. But I don't see a problem with taking spanish in the summer though!

Good luck!

RunBabyRN · May 17, 2014

I know our program strongly advises against taking other courses the first semester, because you're learning the flow of nursing school, and it would be REALLY hard to make that adjustment while ALSO taking other courses. I think Spanish is a fantastic class to take (I plan to take it again soon), but don't overwhelm yourself your first semester. You wouldn't be able to do either (Spanish or nursing) justice. There's SO much reading, and such a shift in how school goes when you start nursing school that you would really do better just focusing on that if at all possible. I did all of my upper division non-nursing courses (my university required 3) over the summer.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · May 17, 2014

I wouldn't suggest trying to take extra courses your first semester of nursing school. Trust me, I took a 1 credit hour Chem lab and I ended up having to drop it and wait until summer because there was NO time to study for it with all the work I had to do for nursing.

sparky605 · May 18, 2014

I agree with SopranoKris- I would dedicate myself 100% to the nursing program, at least for the first semester, until you get into the swing of things. You might be able to do it but I could not have. I just finished my 1st semester and there is no way I would have been able to be successful in an extra class.

lurn1234 · May 18, 2014

I love Spanish

giraffe4 · May 18, 2014

Instead of taking a class for spanish there is an app and website called duolingo if you really want to do it. They are free which saves you money (unless you like the classroom setting). I personally love it because it helps me. Great idea though but it all seems really really tough. I understand you want to go above and beyond but focus on nursing school. Then again, I'm not even in the nursing program but I know a lot of people dedicated 100% to it and says it's very hard. I would be doing 100% in nursing school if I were in your situation. I'm almost done pre-req's, so that's what I would do.

cee cee g · May 18, 2014

I totally get you all points and I've decided to definitely take my first semester in nursing school alone. We get the summer term 2015 off, so hopefully I can take elementary spanish 2 then, that is if I don't forget what I will learn this summer. lol Thank you so much for your posts and thank you for your honesty.