Accelerated Program & PreReqs - Need Advice! :(

Heeelllooo everybody. I have been browsing through here for about a year now. I appreciate everyone's support for one another, it is very motivating. I also feel less alone reading through all these posts. It is a great reminder that there are others out there going through similar experiences and struggles all for the same goal. :)

I graduated in Spring 2010 with a BA in Communication with a 3.2 GPA roughly. As I was finishing up my degree, we covered certain aspects of health, which long story short (very long story short!), made me dig into the profession of Nursing. Shortly there after, I started volunteering at the medical center, observing and interacting with the RNs. I felt so compelled, and immediately started my prerequisites after I graduated in the summer time. In my time investigating, I found that an Accelerated Bachelor's program might be a good option. I think that I shouldn't let my BA "go to waste", lack of better word.

I have completed Nutrition, General Chemistry, Medical Terminology, Cellular Biology, Developmental Psychology, Microbiology, and now I am currently enrolled in Anatomy and Physiology (both are 5 credit classes with a lab, at this CC they do not combine A&P as a whole course, i.e. A&P1 and A&P2 separated between two quarters). I am also currently volunteering/shadowing on an Internal Medicine floor as well as doing research for Autism. I have been volunteering since my undergrad, but started research last year. We are wrapping up Spring quarter in mid-June.

An important fact I have to include is that I am not doing so hot in my prerequisites. I am not sure if I just burned myself out or I just have not acquired great study skills to glue the material in my head. I love and enjoy the content in these prerequisites. I feel that my time not being that studious through high school, plus during my undergrad has caught up to me and is now kicking my ass. (I am 21 years old, graduated with my BA early, I have worked through my undergrad degree and went to school fulltime). This is my first year not working and going to school at the same time (however I did work part time during that first summer quarter, I was taking Nutrition and Chem). Currently in Anatomy and Physiology, I am hanging onto a 2.5 in both classes and this is going to kill my prerequisite GPA which is not even that great (it is currently holding on the ledge of a 3.1 right now, ugh). I can't quite figure out what is my problem. I strive to do very well, and am capable of doing well, but I do not know what is affecting my grades intensely.

I am pretty much positive that I have to retake Anatomy, Physiology, General Chem and even Developmental Psych (UGGHH!! I should have taken it online!). I aced Microbiology, Nutrition, Medical Terminology and Biology. I understand these are not "bad" grades, but they are certainly not good enough to get into an Accelerated BSN.

I was aspiring to apply to a couple Accelerated BSN programs located on the east coast, and a couple on the west coast. The schools that I have in my "top 10" start accept applications between August-November, graduating class 2013.

I recognize that this may not be possible for me. Now, my questions (lol):

- Should I audit my Anatomy OR Physiology class? I was thinking about auditing ONE CLASS and then retaking either Anatomy or Physiology in the summer. Is this a wise choice? I understand there are some programs that only take the first grade and disregard the repeated course's new grade.

Will retaking 4 classes make me a undesirable applicant? I am not sure how badly this will damage my application. More over, this is just another year to be set back.

Some programs let you complete your prereqs after they accept your application Which gives me a little ray of hope. How does this affect the application process though? How can they judge your application when it is incomplete?

Opinions? Advice? Anything is much appreciated!!!! I know we all can do this! There is nothing more that I want to do in the world but be a nurse!

Hi Kagi,

I personnal feel that if you are getting alittle burnt then step back just take the physiology class. It's pretty easy just alot of reading. I just completed 4 courses also and I'm taking the summer off well I start back July 6th. Sometimes when you over work yourself like that you will get burned. Keep going after your dream but allow it to sink in or you will take it and forget it and thats not good.

YOU can do it!

Hope this helps alittle!

:nurse:Cindylyn

I realized that I can't audit my class since I need over 6 credits to keep my financial aid anyway! Ogh! Guess I have to power through it...

*bump

I would say why not go to a nursing school that doesnt require much in pre-req's like interamerican university or metropolitan university in puerto rico!

I suggest looking into traditional and adn programs. Absn programs are extremely competitive.

Science takes some effort and technique, it's a different animal than communications classes for sure.

Take the rest of your prereq's at a CC if you are not already. Get A's. Research the teachers that teach the class' you need. Don't take it with the harder ones that don't like to give out many A's. Take 1-2 classes at a time, study, go to office hours(Be friend your instructor), and make friends with the motivated kids in class. If you get a bad start, drop before the deadline. Don't have bad grades for prereq's sitting on your transcript. Don't settle for anything less than an A.