ADN Program Question

Well, you'll need to get through the classes in English, math, science and social studies, plus your pre-requisite classes before you can even apply for the school's nursing program. Take it one step at a time. I started at my local community college by taking one class at a time. I worked my way up to taking 4 classes at a time. If you cannot manage one class at a time, yes, you may not even be able to apply for nursing school. Might be helpful to work on your coping skills. Managing stress in a positive way will help you and your future patients. Have patience !

Hey thanks, thats what I probably will do then. That way I won't overload myself. Until I get use to it then I will take 4 classes

How did you do with the pre-reqs like Micro or A&P? Are you able to commit study time every day of the 2 year program? I was a tutor for an ADN nursing program and found that some students had the idea that they could take the weekend off and still survive the nursing program. None of us did that while school was in session. If we were really burned out and needed a break, we might take the afternoon or evening off. Heck, we graduated last Thursday and feel like slackers because we haven't started hitting our sample NCLEX questions as hard as we meant to!

I don't want to scare you off because I'm convinced that if you can understand the pre-reqs, you can handle nursing school proper. OTOH, if it takes three tries to pass one of the science courses, nursing school won't come any easier and I don't know of a program that would let you keep repeating until you pass. I think you are smart to evaluate your own skill set.

]I suggest taking all of your pre-req. (A&P I & II, Microbiology, etc) courses prior to nursing school. This will allow you to solely concentrate on nursing courses. If you perceive yourself as a slower learner, then study - way ahead. Most of the time your coursework will be in the syllabus. Always have some idea about the material covered during lecture to avoid being "lost." Know the concepts and do not cram (unless absolutely necessary). :)

Below is an example of my first semester study schedule.

Monday (class from 0900-1200) - Study what was covered in the lecture.

Tuesday - Study what was covered Monday and research concepts I do not understand.

Wednesday - (class from 0700-1000) - Study what was covered in lecture. Do pre-clinical work.

Thursday - (clinicals from 0630-1200) - After clinicals I do not study.

Friday - Study what I do not understand from Monday and Wednesday lecture.

Saturday - Prepare for the next week and throw in free time.

Sunday - ]Prepare for the next week and throw in free time.

]It's not hard, you just have to manage your time. The above schedule made me an A and a B. The B was a result of stupid mistakes that we all make on exams. Remember to take time for yourself too.

I hope this helps.

Hmm, that is a much milder schedule than my first semester. Ours was a full day of lecture, a full day of lab, a half day of Pharm, one or two 9.5 hour clinical shifts that started at 5:30 or 6:00, depending on the facility and exams every other week on Monday mornings. Throw in the required HIPAA class day, lab checkoffs, review sessions/study groups and finding study time was tough.

Second, third and fourth semesters were 2 full class days, with 2 or 3 12 hour shifts each week. Psych and OB/Peds felt easy because they only had 1 class day/week instead of 2.

ETA: I had all my non-nursing classes complete, so this was just the nursing department's schedule. I felt horrible for the people who hadn't completed Patho before starting because they had to cram it in over the summer or try to do it along with Med/Surg I and OB/Peds.