Do not want to repeat science courses

morte, LPN, LVN · Apr 7, 2009

I guess I am being stubborn but I do not want to repeat A&P I and II or micro. Here's the story, I started pursuing a nursing degree awhile bacck but in the process I had the opportunity to go into business for myself so I took the opportunity. Now 5 1/2 years later I find myself back at this cross road because of the ecomony. I had success in the business world. Wasn't totally happy because of the stress of working for myself and the pressure of making money. Plain in simple I was burnt out with the whole entrepreneur thing.
Well, now that I have decided to close shop and get back to trying to get into nursing school, my sciences are now over 5 years old. I have A's in all three classes and it was a struggle to get those A's. I don't want to repeat the classes. So now the only schools that I can consider at TWU, TCU and Baylor because they don't do the 5 year rule.
Am I just being selfish and screwing myself by limiting myself to just these 3 schools? I'm 50/50 on this and of course my best friend doesn't understand and all my husband says is " it's up to you."
I guess I'm looking for opinions from those that can feel my pain....

the rule exists for a reason.....can you go in and clep these classes and pass? if not take them over.....or study and clep them if that is acceptable at whatever other schools you are looking at.

goopsy · Apr 7, 2009

well, if you did it once, then you can do it again, right? I don't think it's a big deal to re-take them if you can apply to more schools. And especially if you get into one of those schools, it's well-worth the effort you took. Besides, it will be a good refresher for you. If you really do not want to repeat the science courses, then you shouldn't be applying to nursing schools.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2009

If you're willing to drive, Tarleton State's nursing program will also accept your science courses since they do not utilize any 5-year deadlines on prerequisite classes.

afranklin · Apr 10, 2009

The rule may be there for a reason but, IMHOP, it's a ridiculous one!

I'm having to retake these same classes for the same reason and the micro

instructor that I have is from another planet:(((((

If you can, find a school that will take them and don't waste your precious

time and money.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2009

I took A&P and Stats about 20 years ago, and will be retaking these plus Micro (never took before) this year for a school that requires them taken within the last 7 years. I see it more as a refresher and worth my time and money. I'd be scared s**tless to enter nursing school with a 20-year gap in my A&P!

loricatus · Apr 11, 2009

As of a few years ago, UTA had a 10 year rule.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2009

I think you'd remember enough for nursing school, if you made A's. You can always get a A&P book at a Half-Price books, or Ebay, etc and review, if needed.

I'd look into if anyone still has a 10-year rule.

I understand what others are saying here, but at the same time, it is added costs to retake them.

I don't think you would be hurting yourself. I did retake A&P 1, but I remembered sooooo much, and it was over 10 years!

Best of luck to you!

morte, LPN, LVN · Apr 11, 2009

best performance, usually comes from best preparation.....geesh no matter how i spell that word, it doesnt look right.....doesnt change the facts however......look at all the students complaining how hard NS is, and you want to make it harder by not having this info fresh in your mind?

elkpark · Apr 11, 2009

It's not about how much you remember from your earlier science courses as it is how much the knowledge in the field has changed in just a few years -- I remember being v. struck in my Anatomy course in nursing school many years ago when, the first day of class, the professor had us all get out our (brand new) textbooks and told us, "Turn to page XXX -- now, cross out that page. All that info is outdated. Turn to page XXX, and cross out that entire page. All that info is now outdated and wrong." He went on like that for quite a while, through the entire text -- and this was a brand new edition of the textbook. Shakespeare and art appreciation don't change much over time :), but the what we know about the hard sciences changes significantly from year to year, and, if you took these courses more than a few year ago, much of what you remember from the courses is seriously out of date.

pinkynbd_99 · Apr 11, 2009

I wouldn't want to risk it either, I can tell you I repeated both my A&P's and Micro and I'm glad I did. B/c what I already knew from the first time just reinforced it and I learned some more! And also I have new notes that I keep close incase I need to review with any subject now that I'm in NS. Instead, do you even know where your quick notes are from 7+ years ago? you'd have to go through a whole chapter just to get a little thing you forgot or want to review...I know that LSC offers refresher courses but are only really accepted for their program...other school won't want refresher courses either they want the actual credit classes so you'd might as well!

apply either way but in the meantime, it wouldn't hurt to take them while you wait to hear from them. Then if they tell you no, you'd already have them done and can apply again to them and other schools! Plus you'd be surprised about the A&P questions the NET exam or the HESI asks about, I'd say if you have a hard time with those questions then maybe it's not a bad idea to retake them.