Taking pre-req's with nursing classes....

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Hi everyone. I applied to a NSG program with hopes, but not actually thinking, I'd get in. Well...I did get accepted, much to my amazement. I've heard so many people tell me that they love it at this particular school so I applied and they've been so gracious & friendly so far (mainly on the phone). I begin in January. They base everything on a points system, as many of you are aware of. I had a GPA of a 3.9 when I applied and now have a 4.0 because I took a repeat class that I had in 1999 that was bringing my GPA down by 1 point. :rolleyes:

The issue is... I will still have A&P II & Micro to take when I begin NSG school. I know, I know what everyone says. Believe me I'm feeling the pressure. )I'm currently taking A&P I now along with the CNA class and am making A's in both thus far.) I called the school & asked them if this was doable and her response was that it was doable and that people do it all the time. She acted non-chalant about it. She told me that A&PII needed to be completed during semester 1 and that Micro needed to be completed before or during Semester 3. She also stated that most people take their Micro in the summer.. :uhoh21:

So...who else has done this and was it ok or was it torture??? Should I take Micro along with nursing classes or during the summer? I know it will be hard either way, but the better way is what I'm looking for. I'm definately going to begin the program in January because the competition is so fierce. So please, no one telling me whether I should or shouldn't attend at all. :) I feel I've been given the opportunity and I'm not going to back away from it, even though I'm scared to death! :imbar Also, can those of you who have done this share your experience with me, whether good or bad.

Thanks

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Specializes in CCRN.

I believe you can do anything you set your mind to, if you want it bad enough.

I found Microbiology much easier than Anatomy and Pathopysiology. As a matter of fact I took micro with two nursing classes, one of them Pharmacology. I put very little time into micro and did very well. I would say if you can take it before entering the program, do it.

Good luck and let us know how it's going.

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Specializes in medical, telemetry, IMC.

i took micro before the nursing school stared. and i'm glad i did it!

taking micro along with the nursing classes here means that basically you are in school from 8am-5pm monday-thursday and 8am-1pm friday. along with all the studying at night and on the weekends.

the ones who have taken it before get out by 1pm mondays and wednesdays.

a&p ii is a prereq here, so we all had to have it to get into the nursing program.

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Specializes in Float.

I would take Micro in summer. It really depends on your school and their program, but we had a VERY rigorous Micro class. A FULL 3 hrs lecture, and 4 hrs lab each week .. all on 3 seperate days. We had a TON of homework every single week. Plus it was very chaotic having so many experiments going on at one time. You were constantly setting up 3-4 things, then reading 3-4 things. Some schools it is a breeze tho..maybe you can ask some other students at your school what yours is like. Ours was a 4 credit hour course but I know some schools are only a 3 credit hr course.

I know most schools in my state require you to have many prereqs done before applying, my school doesn't require ANY! I asked why and they said because it is an associates you should be able to do the whole thing in 2 years (and yea, um about kill yourself in the process) They acted like they COULD NOT require prereqs because they are a community college. But every otehr community college I checked into had many required classes so I dunno...

But in my nursing class we have people taking A&P and Psych etc with nursing so it can be done.

Congrats on getting into school!

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Specializes in Rural Health.

I took A&P with my 1st semester of nursing classes, made all A's. It's more than possible to do it.

Started out with Micro this semester (final core class to take) and ended up dropping it. Not because of the coursework, I couldn't understand my teacher and I was frustrated because this material seemed really cool and I really wanted to learn it and understand it. I'll take it over the summer next year.

It's possible and more than doable. For our program they strongly suggest you get all these core classes done your 1st year since the 2nd year gets a little tougher as far as the material and work required.

Good luck!!

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My program had no pre-reqs, only co-reqs. All of my classmates managed just fine. We only lost two people, who had to redo the final semester. And we all did our program in the two years it was required.

Grannynurse

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I took A&P with my 1st semester of nursing classes, made all A's. It's more than possible to do it.

Started out with Micro this semester (final core class to take) and ended up dropping it. Not because of the coursework, I couldn't understand my teacher and I was frustrated because this material seemed really cool and I really wanted to learn it and understand it. I'll take it over the summer next year.

It's possible and more than doable. For our program they strongly suggest you get all these core classes done your 1st year since the 2nd year gets a little tougher as far as the material and work required.

Good luck!!

Well, atleast I know it's doable. I think a lot of it does have to do with your teacher. I've heard our Micro teacher is really good so we'll see. I may end up having to take it over the summer, but it seems like it would be more difficult.

Thanks for all the replies so far. It makes me feel better to know that others have been in my boat.

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Specializes in med/surg, ortho/neuro, ambulatory surg.

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So...who else has done this and was it ok or was it torture??? Should I take Micro along with nursing classes or during the summer? I know it will be hard either way, but the better way is what I'm looking for. I'm definately going to begin the program in January because the competition is so fierce. So please, no one telling me whether I should or shouldn't attend at all. :) I feel I've been given the opportunity and I'm not going to back away from it, even though I'm scared to death! :imbar Also, can those of you who have done this share your experience with me, whether good or bad.

Thanks

I didnt do them while in NS but I took Micro this summer, I am so glad I did I cant imagine taking it at the same time as my nursing classes! Go for it in the summer if you can!

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Specializes in SICU.

It is a little difficult to take A & P along with nursing classes, but about half the people in my nursing class last semester did it and survived just fine. However, I would recommend taking micro in the summer if you can. At my school it was not a very difficult class, but when you take into account having a 3 hours lab every week and doing lab write-ups, it's just better to take it during the summer. Congratulations on making it into the program, you definetly have no reason not to begin in January, good luck!

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Specializes in Emergency Dept, M/S.

I had A&P II and Med/Surg during the spring semester. It was very difficult for me, because of my long commute, a divorce, and 4 kids. I ended up dropping Med/Surg until this coming spring semester (1/2006) and concentrating on finishing A&P II and Micro (taking it now). I'm so glad I did.

I've always gotten all A's, but failed my first A&P II exam miserably. Luckily I was able to buckle down and finish with a 4.0 in A&P II, which I worked so hard for! We have to have an 80 or better to continue on with the nursing program, so that worked out. Now I just have to do the same with Micro, which I am enjoying, but finding it very, very hard to follow the professor. She seems all over the place! I doubt that with all the other "stuff" going on in my life I'd be able to handle Micro and nursing classes this semester.

So, in all, it did put me a year behind when I would have graduated, but I doubt I would have anyway, if I couldn't maintain an 80.

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I had A&P II and Med/Surg during the spring semester. It was very difficult for me, because of my long commute, a divorce, and 4 kids. I ended up dropping Med/Surg until this coming spring semester (1/2006) and concentrating on finishing A&P II and Micro (taking it now). I'm so glad I did.

I've always gotten all A's, but failed my first A&P II exam miserably. Luckily I was able to buckle down and finish with a 4.0 in A&P II, which I worked so hard for! We have to have an 80 or better to continue on with the nursing program, so that worked out. Now I just have to do the same with Micro, which I am enjoying, but finding it very, very hard to follow the professor. She seems all over the place! I doubt that with all the other "stuff" going on in my life I'd be able to handle Micro and nursing classes this semester.

So, in all, it did put me a year behind when I would have graduated, but I doubt I would have anyway, if I couldn't maintain an 80.

I have 4 kids as well and it is really hard juggling school and the kids etc... I am married, although I don't know if I'll still be after nsg school is over with LOL! :lol2: JK I guess I'll take it in the summer and if it seems like I can't manage it I'll drop early enough so it won't affect me. In the summer it's on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9am-4pm. That is steep. BUT the good thing is it's only a couple of months. I hate taking summer classes. I took a math class this last summer and I felt very burned out when I went back this fall. I didn't feel I had a real break, so that's a concern for me. I'll ask around and see just how difficult that class is @ our school and get a better feel on things.

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It is a little difficult to take A & P along with nursing classes, but about half the people in my nursing class last semester did it and survived just fine. However, I would recommend taking micro in the summer if you can. At my school it was not a very difficult class, but when you take into account having a 3 hours lab every week and doing lab write-ups, it's just better to take it during the summer. Congratulations on making it into the program, you definetly have no reason not to begin in January, good luck!

Thank you for your positive attitude. I appriciate it! :)

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