RN-BSN Statistics & Biochem (wanting to start studying early)

Nursing Students Western Governors

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Specializes in critical care.

I am starting my RN-BSN coursework June 1 (a little over a month away). I would like to use that month to start studying up on some of the material I will be seeing when I start the program (in hopes of accelerating through some of these courses). Two of the classes I will have to take are Statistics and Biochem, both of which I either have not had, or have not had exposure to in over a decade. Can anyone suggest a website or source where I could begin reviewing material that would be applicable to these courses? I took statistics in college about 14 years ago, but it was pure math. I have read on this board that the WGU stats class is more theory based, which will be pretty much new information to learn for me. I don't believe I have ever had an actual biochem class, although I have had multiple A&P, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Microbiology classes. If I am going to start reviewing material, I just want to make sure I am looking at the right stuff. For example, I know cliffsnotes.com has sections on both statistics and biochemistry. Has anybody looked through that material? If so, does it seem to coordinate with the types of material taught in the WGU classes? Any other suggestions on websites/books/sources/etc? Thanks so much in advance and good luck in your studies!

just an additional note.... It should go without saying that I am NOT looking for anything that would be academically dishonest. I just want to know what book or website would be good as a study resource before I can actually see what is covered in the class. thanks

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Specializes in Outpatient/Clinic, ClinDoc.

I can't help you in your question, but I am probably also starting June 1! =) I guess I need to start getting prepared as well. :)

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Well I didn't take statistics so I can't help you there. I did take biochem back in August. I can tell you they use the Thinkwell lectures and you can purchase them online...but my understanding is they're expensive and as I recall only had certain lectures that were useful (recommended to watch) for the class so to be honest I'm not sure I would purchase them. I completely understand your excitement and wanting to start early...but maybe use this time before you start to do some fun reading, organize your house and relax so you can jump right in in June and go strong.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Dialysis, School Nursing.

Buy Statistics for Dummies and refresh, relearn the theory. I finished Stats in about 3 weeks and it was definitely a challenge and I had stats many years ago. Biochem is great! I'm almost done in just under 2 weeks. I never had biochem before but had several chems, nutrition, micro, and A&P. Dont even worry about biochem! It's all task based. You need to make powerpoints so if you've never made one before, you could practice that. You will be able to get into your classes the 15th of the month before your start date so you can start reading and watching videos then.

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Skoolrn, how are you doing these classes so quickly??? I am not in the program yet, but are these classes so easy that you can get through them in such a short amount of time or are you doing nothing but that class for that amount of time. Aren't the exams proctored exams? Don't you need to know the material well enough to do well on the proctored exam? I am just really curious about the program because I hope to apply next year!!! I saw the number of classes required over 6 months with the stats and chem and was worried that it would be hard to complete in 6 months...

Thanks for the info! :-)

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

With Biochem, for me, I spent pretty much one FULL day on each task. I was able to finish in about three weeks, but that was spending about 15 hours/week on that class.

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That sounds totally manageable! Did you need to take a proctored exam?

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
That sounds totally manageable! Did you need to take a proctored exam?

No, Biochem was totally performance assessments, aka written tasks. A lot of building models (I used pipe cleaners for one model, and small wooden dowels and foam balls for another), creating powerpoints, and a paper or two. IIRC, there were five tasks total.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Dialysis, School Nursing.

Just finished my 5th course since March 1! Nutrition, Biochem, Stats, health assessment, care of older adult are done!! I need Comm and population health, the practicum, Role development, organizational systems and leadership, and health care systems. I should have my BSN by late August (?sooner) then onto the MSN portion. I can go very quickly because I have a BS in Biology and an ADN. A lot of the material was not new to me. I had nutrition and stats many yrs ago and several chem classes as part of my Bio degree. Also, I have no kids at home, I only work 35 hrs a week and I have a low maintenance husband. I haven't cooked a meal from scratch in a month! I spend 4+ hrs a day on school work and a whole lot more on the weekend. But thats my situation. Everyone's is different. Proctored exams I took with the webcam that sends you. That was Stats, Health Assessment, Nutrition and Care of Older Adult. Biochem is performance tasks and I loved it! Favorite class so far! I did all my tasks as powerpoints which I had never done in my life... very, very easy to learn to do! So I love WGU but it's not for everyone you have to be motivated, disciplined and do work everyday.

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Just finished my 5th course since March 1! Nutrition, Biochem, Stats, health assessment, care of older adult are done!! I need Comm and population health, the practicum, Role development, organizational systems and leadership, and health care systems. I should have my BSN by late August (?sooner) then onto the MSN portion. I can go very quickly because I have a BS in Biology and an ADN. A lot of the material was not new to me. I had nutrition and stats many yrs ago and several chem classes as part of my Bio degree. Also, I have no kids at home, I only work 35 hrs a week and I have a low maintenance husband. I haven't cooked a meal from scratch in a month! I spend 4+ hrs a day on school work and a whole lot more on the weekend. But thats my situation. Everyone's is different. Proctored exams I took with the webcam that WGU sends you. That was Stats, Health Assessment, Nutrition and Care of Older Adult. Biochem is performance tasks and I loved it! Favorite class so far! I did all my tasks as powerpoints which I had never done in my life... very, very easy to learn to do! So I love WGU but it's not for everyone you have to be motivated, disciplined and do work everyday.

This makes me so excited -- starting July 1st, hopefully :) Thanks so much for sharing!!

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Just finished my 5th course since March 1! Nutrition Biochem, Stats, health assessment, care of older adult are done!! I need Comm and population health, the practicum, Role development, organizational systems and leadership, and health care systems. I should have my BSN by late August (?sooner) then onto the MSN portion. I can go very quickly because I have a BS in Biology and an ADN. A lot of the material was not new to me. I had nutrition and stats many yrs ago and several chem classes as part of my Bio degree. Also, I have no kids at home, I only work 35 hrs a week and I have a low maintenance husband. I haven't cooked a meal from scratch in a month! I spend 4+ hrs a day on school work and a whole lot more on the weekend. But thats my situation. Everyone's is different. Proctored exams I took with the webcam that WGU sends you. That was Stats, Health Assessment, Nutrition and Care of Older Adult. Biochem is performance tasks and I loved it! Favorite class so far! I did all my tasks as powerpoints which I had never done in my life... very, very easy to learn to do! So I love WGU but it's not for everyone you have to be motivated, disciplined and do work everyday.[/quote']

Congratulations! Any pointers on passing the bec1 objective? I'm having to take it a second time, missed the cut score by one question! Ugh. Did you work on all 4 classes at the same time?

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Hi, my projected start is also June 1st....still holding off on entrance exam, which is last thing i need to complete. So nervous about this.....how did you study for it? Also, how many credits will you be taking for (RN-BSN)?:nailbiting:

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