Am I crazy to take all these science classes at once?

elkpark · Sep 1, 2017

Welcome to allnurses! :balloons:

My hospital-based diploma nursing program (many years ago) was a complete curriculum with no "prerequisites" (all the courses now considered prerequisites by most programs were built into the program). In our program, the entire freshman class took a year of A&P, a year of organic chem, and a semester of micro simultaneously (plus nursing fundamentals, a year of freshman English, a semester of intro to psych, a semester of intro to sociology, and a semester of nutrition, over the course of the academic year). We took all these courses at a local university (we rode a bus from the hospital three days/week), and they were the same courses the university chemistry, bio, and pre-med majors took, not watered-down "XXX for nurses" type courses. We weren't offered any other choice, that was the curriculum, take it or leave it, and no one suggested that was a bad idea. It was demanding, but we all survived. In fact, it was "easier" than the subsequent two years of the nursing program.

I'm somewhat suspicious of taking A&P1 and A&P2 simultaneously; A&P2 is usually designed to build on the content covered in A&P 1 (at the university at which I was taking my classes, it was a semester of anatomy followed by a semester of physiology. Hard to do well in physiology if you don't already know the anatomy). Other than that caveat, if you're reasonably intelligent, focused, and motivated, and not also trying to work, I don't see any reason why you wouldn't be able to carry that load and succeed.

When would the ABSN program(s) in which you're interested start? If you're signed up now for classes in fall semester, wouldn't you have at least two semesters to get the prerequisites done? Would you be applying to any nursing programs that would start earlier than next summer? Wouldn't most of them start a year from now?

Best wishes for your journey!

ItsThatJenGirl, CNA · Sep 1, 2017

I wouldn't take A&P I and II together - a lot of the concepts build on previous information.

Since that would add another semester anyhow, I'd do A&P I with Chem, then A&P II with Micro.

That's not saying you can't do it - just my opinion based on my experience.

Best of luck to you!

xxstarrynitesxx · Sep 1, 2017

Just from connections I have noticed myself thus far between the classes, your basic chemistry and biology are needed to set a solid foundation for your A&P courses and Microbiogy. I used limited Chemistry, but it shows up in the first few chapters of my A&P I course. Basic biology showed up more often.

Many people I know space the courses out more (they do have jobs and/or families) or try to take A&P I and Microbiology together after completing Chemistry. Most people I know that tried to take A&P II with Microbiology tended to get B's in both courses and not strong B's. I do know people that have gotten A's, but they said they would never recommend it and we're constantly studying all of the time.

Like elkpark mentioned, I am a tad hesitant to see you take both semesters of A&P at the same time. You do need knowledge of A&P I to lay the ground work for A&P II. You will have to work even harder to catch yourself up for II because what you will learn there does not show up until the end of A&P I.

I would personally try to split the courses a bit more if I were in your position. Many schools do offer some of the courses over the short term sessions like winter and summer. Rather than try to cram them all in, you take advantage of that and spend time researching which programs you would like to apply to and what their requirements are if you have no already done so. Some RN programs offer extra points for having prior medical experience (CNA, EMT, LVN, etc.). I am not sure if your experience as a chiropractor would be considered, but that would be something to check into. If the programs do not count it, then you could possibly take some time and serve as a CNA or EMT in order to gain more applicable experience. You want those A's first and foremost to show that you have matured and are capable of succeeding.

Mikespeese · Sep 1, 2017

Thank you for the response. I'd like to start the ABSN next fall, but may try to start the following spring if the schools tell me I still need more prerequisites or don't review my application soon enough. I would have at least 2 semesters, I am hoping that I could be accepted contingent upon my grades of courses not completed next semester. The schools recommended taking a and p 1 and 2 and microbiology before reapplying. That's why I'm trying to do it this way, but wanted to see what others thought.

Mavrick, BSN, RN · Sep 1, 2017

I don't get why anyone would consider taking A & P I and II concurrently during the same semester.

These are not just basic pre reqs but the basis of a sound understanding of your working with humans. You get off track here and everything becomes fuzzy. Disease processes, medication, lab values, interventions, treatment etc. won't make logical sense and you fumble your way through learning a lot of isolated facts when so much can follow easily when you understand how things work together. Believe me, it is an amazing miracle how the systems of the human body do work together and what a mess of things can happen when you tinker with one system and don't appreciate how it affects another.

I know everyone wants to get out in the world and make all that great nursing cash but seriously we don't need the get-rich-quick mentality that puts people at risk while you/they make stupid mistakes that could have been readily foreseen.

So, yeah, short answer is you're crazy.

acires · Sep 2, 2017

Hello All,
I'm looking to go back to school for an accelerated BSN. This semester which just started I signed up to take Anatomy and physiology 1 with lab, Anatomy and physiology 2 with lab, microbiology with lab, and chemistry 1 with lab (all 4 credit classes). The teachers made an announcement in class that even taking just a and p 1 and 2 together or taking just a and p 2 and microbiology together is not wise.
My background is I am a chiropractor that just sold my office to go back to school so I will not be working during school. I had these classes in chiropractic school and undergrad but that was over 10 years ago and I got B's and C's. I used to do the bare minimum to get by while in school (just go to class and then cram a night or two before the tests), but now I am much more dedicated and have no problem studying every day.
The only thing I really used as a Chiropractor in practice was a limited amount of neuromusculoskeletal anatomy for the most part, and my knowledge of the other class material is about as weak as you'd expect it to be considering I haven't been in school for 10 years, however there is still a minimal amount of familiarity.
I know I will probably need mostly if not all A's to get into the accelerated BSN programs near me and even that may not be enough. I want to get my prereqs done as quickly as possible , but am I setting myself up for definite failure? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Are you in a rush? You also have to ask yourself that applying to do an accelerated BSN program isn't going to come down just to classes or grades, but also the decision making process which led you away from being a chiropractor to now wanting to be a nurse. A lot can change in 10 years and even book editions reflect new discoveries and additions. I've known individuals who have tried to pack in all of their pre-reqs only to really regret it. Of course, I have no idea what your work ethic is or your background, but the decision to do it all and do it now is rarely advisable.

I appreciate that you're asking for guidance on this, but the fact that you are signifies some reluctance and rightly so.

Hope you find some clarity soon.

Sp2017 · Sep 2, 2017

I wouldn't take A&P I and II together - a lot of the concepts build on previous information.
Since that would add another semester anyhow, I'd do A&P I with Chem, then A&P II with Micro.
That's not saying you can't do it - just my opinion based on my experience.
Best of luck to you!

If Anatomy and Physiology classes are not offered separately, I'd follow Jen's recommendation. Otherwise, it's okay to take Anatomy and Physiology classes at the same time because you will see some overlaps between these two classes. I don't recommend take 4 core-sciences classes at the same time. Tons of information, homework, lap-reports, and exams will drive you crazy and affect your GPA.

Mikespeese · Sep 3, 2017

Thank you all for the replies. I've decided to drop a and p 2 so I'll just take a and p 1, micro and Chem 1, which should still be a challenge but more doable hopefully.

InfirmiereMaybe, BSN, RN · Sep 4, 2017

Thank you all for the replies. I've decided to drop a and p 2 so I'll just take a and p 1, micro and Chem 1, which should still be a challenge but more doable hopefully.

Good luck! It's going to be a lot of work but I think it's doable. I took AP1 and General chemistry in one semester then AP2 and Micro the next semester. I don't miss those crazy nights I stayed up late to study. LOL

FutureNurseInfo · Sep 4, 2017

yessss

futureepinurse · Sep 14, 2017

I think you could have been fine with those 4 classes cosidering you won't be working or sacrificing a lot of study time to hang out with all your college friends. AP2 definitely builds on AP1, but I think you could still take them at the same time. There are different systems covered between the two courses, but overlap also exists. It really depends on how familiar you might already be with the AP material covered in your basic bio course. Microbiology will also be easier depending on how much was covered in your basic bio course/how much you remember from previous study.