bad idea?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

Published

would i be killing myself if i take english, microbiology, anatomy/physiology, and chemistry all in one semester? or is it doable? 'cause i can only apply to nursing IF i do this. otherwise, i will have to apply next year..

and why is that? have you tried it? i have for many semesters have been scared to take this course or that course..mainly because of fear and what others thought. I think if a person has it in them and know they will be able to complete three science courses then go for it. IT CAN ABSOLUTELY BE DONE! and that's to everyone who has doubts.

Yes, in fact, I have tried taking multiple science classes in one semester. I will NEVER do that again. Good for you that you have done it and can maintain good grades, that's GREAT! I still stand by my original answer though- I would not recommend it. That's my OPINION. If one has the option of doing otherwise, I think it is best to take one at a time. Your science grades are VERY important to nursing school admissions officers. I would not want to risk my grades by overloading in one semester. Just my .02.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Of course it can be done. Plus the Biology I don't have to have I am just taking, nursing around here have waived Biology. and my nursing pre req grades are good.... Two As for A&P and a B in Inorganic Chem, so it can be done...you have to be dedicated and of course no one recommends it, not even your advisors...and it'll also look good to the nursing admission officers that a person was able to do great in ALL three science courses taken in one semester. I refuse to make anything below an A this time around and that's the attitude I will keep. again it's possible

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I co-sign on what PathToRN said, but hopefully you'll do great. Once again it's only our opinion.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

first of all, thank you very very much to everyone for replying!! all your posts are very helpful.

to this day, i am still confused though. i want to finish college in 4 years. my parents want me to be a nurse as soon as possible. i am determined. to be a nurse is my ultimate dream. i want to save lives..change someone's life for the better. i feel like i can do good taking 3 science classes in one semester because i will work very very hard. to finish college in 4 years, i have to have all my pre-reqs done my first year. if i dont get into the nursing program my first try, i can always just do my GE's my sophomore year BUT if i finish my pre-reqs in 2 years and not get into the program the first try, it will take me 6 years or more to graduate. that is what im afraid of.

other part of me thinks im rushing too fast. im young. i have all my life to work as a nurse. college is an experience i should take seriously BUT also enjoy at the same time. i heard nursing school takes up everyone's lives. so maybe spreading my classes out and taking 2 years to do my pre-reqs and GE's is a good thing. then i wont have to worry about GE's when im in nursing school and i can just focus on nursing.

anyway, thank you again everyone. atleast now i know that it is doable but other people dont recommend it. thank you for both sides.

i wonder if i have a better chance getting into the program if i apply my first year or second year? i kinda wonder if the nursing program think the freshmen can wait..so they consider the upperclassmen more.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Is the possibility of getting through faster worth the risk?

Remember that, if you don't get the grade you need in all the classes, you'll have to retake it, which will probably add time beyond what you'd have done just taking them more spread out to begin with. Also, not doing well the first time through may impact your chances of getting into a program - many competitive programs take points off for classes that have been retaken. If you pass the class but need a higher grade than just passing to get into the nursing program, you may find that you have trouble getting into the class to retake it, since new or previously non-passing students generally get priority.

If you split up the prerequisites over even one extra semester, you'll have a much easier time of things, plus the benefit of being able to finish chemistry before taking some of your science classes, where an understanding of chemistry is usually helpful.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in 2 years as CNA.

You sound like you have a really good head on your shoulders and are seriously thinking this through. That is good. I definitely think that it doable, especially if you don't have to work (not sure if you do or not). My thought has always been that pre-med, Biology majors, Chem majors etc. can do it so why can't us pre-nursing students?! They all take ALOT of science courses in one semester.

But if you want my personal advice, I would say to take some time. Just because it can be done does not mean that is necessarily the best route to take. Do NOT let your parents rush you!!! In reality very few people get their bachelor's degree in 4 years nowdays and why stress yourself out when you don't have to.

When I finally start NS I will have all my classes done except for my nursing classes and I am very thankful for that. I will only have to focus on my nursing stuff. If you have that option I would take it.

Good luck to you and keep us posted on what you decide. :nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

thank you both of u!

there are so many reasons why i wanna graduate in 4 years including graduate with my original class, parents wont have to worry much about money anymore. my parents are paying for all my college expenses..everything..im going to a university an hour away and they're paying for the apartment and utilities. i figured the sooner i graduate, the better for them. but i guess ur right. it is not worth the risk and its not the best route. i guess right now, my decision is i wont take all 3 science classes in one semester.

now im just gonna pray that i can start my nursing program by my 3rd year in college. its sucha long way to go! :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sorry YGPHNM, I agree with Path2RN. The original poster solicited people's honest opinions and although, of course, it can be done, I think it would be extremely difficult for the majority. Nursing schools are so competitive that it is important to get all A's. When you have that many classes (let alone that many science classes) it is difficult to maintain all A's. I found chemistry to be very challenging and I took it with a history class and one other non science class, and I remember being so stressed out. I managed to maintain all A's, but I paid for it by being so run down I ended up getting sick for about a month. I worked full time and took classes at night, and maybe the OP doesn't have the added responsibility of work, but Micro and Chemistry together? Then add Anatomy, Physiology and English. In my humble opinion, that would be too much for most people. Yes, there are those who can buck the odds and do it, but I think it would be a great burden and make it more likely they would sacrifice their GPA.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Sorry YGPHNM, I agree with Path2RN. The original poster solicited people's honest opinions and although, of course, it can be done, I think it would be extremely difficult for the majority. Nursing schools are so competitive that it is important to get all A's. When you have that many classes (let alone that many science classes) it is difficult to maintain all A's. I found chemistry to be very challenging and I took it with a history class and one other non science class, and I remember being so stressed out. I managed to maintain all A's, but I paid for it by being so run down I ended up getting sick for about a month. I worked full time and took classes at night, and maybe the OP doesn't have the added responsibility of work, but Micro and Chemistry together? Then add Anatomy, Physiology and English. In my humble opinion, that would be too much for most people. Yes, there are those who can buck the odds and do it, but I think it would be a great burden and make it more likely they would sacrifice their GPA.

hmm i am taking a&p,intro chem,math,communications this semester..is that too much?:bluecry1: only 2 science classes. that chem class is a pre-req for the other chem.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When it comes down to it - only you can decide what is too much. Some people manage great with heavy schedules, plus work full time at the same time (The guy who got the top grade in my physio class was taking 5 classes, including both Physio and organic chemistry, while working full time, and got A's in all of them). Other people can only manage one class at a time, especially if it's a subject they find hard.

If you have reason to believe you'll be able to manage it, go ahead and try. Just be aware of the risks, and pay attention to the drop dates - you ideally want to drop before the point where a W will appear on your transcript, and definitely before the final drop date.

Also, having classes done in order rather than rushing through as fast as possible can really help you understand things better. Chemistry is useful in A&P and Micro. If you don't have a good grounding in Algebra, you'll probably have trouble in Chemistry. It sucks having to take the extra semesters to do everything in order, but if you don't have a background in the subject to begin with, it may really influence your ability to succeed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

yea. i think i can do it. but i dont want to overestimate myself. afterall, college is different from high school. i just dont know how different right now because im only starting this fall. well i took a class at a JC before and got an A but it wasnt science. plus now i have labs in addition to the actual class. but yea like i said, im planning for a 5 year plan now. my parents said its ok and do whatevers the best for me. i hope nothing goes wrong with my plan..then id have to be in school for 6 years. and honestly at my age, thats the last thing i want..

hahah thanks everyone for reading my rants and stuff. i appreciate all the advice because i dont know anyone who is experienced with nursing

i start college next week!! im excited that my dream of becoming a nurse is finally coming closer..but then i have to wait 2 years b/c of prereqs. but nothing will get in my way ^^

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.
yea. i think i can do it. but i dont want to overestimate myself. afterall, college is different from high school. i just dont know how different right now because im only starting this fall. well i took a class at a JC before and got an A but it wasnt science. plus now i have labs in addition to the actual class. but yea like i said, im planning for a 5 year plan now. my parents said its ok and do whatevers the best for me. i hope nothing goes wrong with my plan..then id have to be in school for 6 years. and honestly at my age, thats the last thing i want..

hahah thanks everyone for reading my rants and stuff. i appreciate all the advice because i dont know anyone who is experienced with nursing

i start college next week!! im excited that my dream of becoming a nurse is finally coming closer..but then i have to wait 2 years b/c of prereqs. but nothing will get in my way ^^

I am confused as to why it would take anyone 6 years (full time) to finish school for RN? Honestly, if it took 6 years, I would just go 2 more and become a DR, LOL:wink2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment