Overwhelmed by Prerequisites

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Dec 2, 2015

Quality over quantity. You want to get the best grade you possibly can so you are in a good place to be accepted into the nursing program.

Yes it stinks, yes it does seem like forever in a day. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The tunnel may be a long one, but there is an end date.

And yes, one does wonder how the heck Medieval Knights or Religions of the World will help you to be a better nurse. I am not sure that it will in itself. But what it can do is help you to think about subjects that you normally would not. It can help you to think outside of the box. It can help you organize yourself and your work. And it can help you NOT have that glazed over look and hit the highlights. All things that are instrumental in nursing. You have a mountain to climb. You can only start at the bottom and it is the technique in which you climb as opposed to quick scrambling.

This is crunch time. And it does stink. Please have some M&M, hot tea, and/or music therapy. Wishing you the best!

Very best wishes!

OcMurse93 · Dec 2, 2015

I had to work a near full time job while doing my prereqs. Some semesters I only took 6 units. I ended up with a 3.6 GPA and As in anatomy and physiology, with a B in microbiology. Granted it was still super stressful, but you have to work at a pace where you will not only succeed...but you will not kill yourself with stress. That's what nursing school is for

KThurmond · Dec 2, 2015

Your not alone. In january I'm also starting prerequisites for ABSN. It is frustrating needing to take one before the other :banghead: . I'm also gonna be working. School day phlebotomist at night. The way I see it, get all these classes done and then transfer and its all downhill. That's how I don't get discouraged. We can do it:bookworm: :yes:

Shawn91111 · Dec 2, 2015

I have a full time job working around 60 hrs, family so I only take 3 classes a semester then a few during the summer to keep up. I try not to overload the bio classes and space them out. Still maintaining my 4.0, but I think my low 90 in AP will bring it down slightly into the 3.95 range

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Dec 3, 2015

Yes to what JadeLPN said: quality over quantity. You likely need good grades in your classes.

I basically took 1 sci prereq plus 1 non sci prereq per term. Some semester, I took zero classes, sometimes, a full load. But my grades were intact. Keep your GPA high!

You can do it!!

BBboy · Dec 3, 2015

Many schools will have pre-reqs for the pre-reqs which can be annoying. I worked full time while finishing my remaining pre-reqs (yes even with micro which was a doozy). But rather than fall into the woe is me category I was quite the opposite and enjoyed the grind. Sure the nights were long as were my days (class 9-12, work 2-10:30, workout 11-12:30) but I truly enjoyed my job at that moment in time and keeping myself physically fit, helped me de-stress immensely. If you can handle the stressors I suggest stacking your courses, only if you really plan on devoting yourself to studying and working. I ended up with a high A overall in my pre-reqs while maintaining a social life and college Athletics but it's definitely not for everyone. You need to manage your time well and that's something you will learn eventually (the study method I learned from my A&P1 teacher literally turned me from an average student to an excellent one)

aeris99 · Dec 3, 2015

I did my pre-req's while working full time with 2 kids at home, both special needs. I also took 2 adult Ed classes to fill chemistry and biology (it was cheaper that way. I never took them in high school)

Best advice? Get a hard copy of the academic catalogue and plan your courses so that the pre-reqs fill any electives you may need.

I transferred from an ADN program to a BSN program. Due to a huge oversight (mine and my advisers) I now have to fill 14 elective credits, in one semester, while doing my senior capstone and 3 other core nursing classes. Hard but attainable. I want to graduate on time!

direw0lf, BSN · Dec 4, 2015

Quality over quantity. You want to get the best grade you possibly can so you are in a good place to be accepted into the nursing program.
Yes it stinks, yes it does seem like forever in a day. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The tunnel may be a long one, but there is an end date.
And yes, one does wonder how the heck Medieval Knights or Religions of the World will help you to be a better nurse. I am not sure that it will in itself. But what it can do is help you to think about subjects that you normally would not. It can help you to think outside of the box. It can help you organize yourself and your work. And it can help you NOT have that glazed over look and hit the highlights. All things that are instrumental in nursing. You have a mountain to climb. You can only start at the bottom and it is the technique in which you climb as opposed to quick scrambling.
This is crunch time. And it does stink. Please have some M&M, hot tea, and/or music therapy. Wishing you the best!
Very best wishes!

Great post!

Important to remember that while those type of classes don't apply to nursing or your future enough to majorly stress, they *do* apply to help broaden your knowledge, problem solving, etc!

Honey Clover · Dec 4, 2015

That's how I felt when I first started taking prerequisites as a second bachelors. I felt it's gonna take forever to get my degree and start on my career. But actually, it goes by pretty fast. Don't think about all that you have to do because that will make it worse. Instead, break it down semester by semester. Go enroll in your first set of prerequisites and forget about the rest. Don't overwork yourself either because that will lead to burn out. Concentrate on what you need to do now to get those A's in your first few prerequisites. Pretty soon, you'll be done and will be sending out nursing applications in no time. Enjoy the present because that's all we really have anyways.

goddess9 · Dec 4, 2015

I'm going into my last prerequisite in the spring and it's taken me almost two years from start to finish. It's overwhelming, yes, but take it one class at a time. I chipped away at them and now I am shocked that I'm almost done. Look at the trees one at a time until your out of the forest altogether.

Compassionate22 · Dec 4, 2015

I just wanted to say that I really appreciate the words of encouragement and knowing that I'm not alone in this. I do have a question though about classes. I had started a thread about A&P and how I was debating on retaking the course or just going into A&P II. I've decided to retake the course because I don't think I am comfortable just jumping into the upper level course. My question is though, would it be better to just take A&P I by itself or combine that with Chemistry I? Been awhile since I've taken a chemistry course (high school) and I'm wondering would it be better to devote more time to that class by itself or take it with A&P? Not sure if that made any sense, but feel free to ask questions.