Excelsior- What classes when?

**Elektra6, ASN, BSN, RN** · Jul 9, 2008

I have a BA in another field but am weak on sciences. I have to take A&P, micro, pathophysiology & lifespan development plus Nursing concepts 1-7. I STARTED studying last year for A&P, got discouraged and never took the test. Instead, this spring I took nursing concepts 1 and passed with an A. That motivated me to try to get the gen ed courses out of the way. My advice is to start with a course you are really interested in and think you will like. :twocents:

Best of luck!

TashaLPN2006RN2012, ASN, RN · Jul 10, 2008

I agree with Electra, i have been attempting A&P for a few weeks now and i'm sooo bored and discouraged...i'm going to make myself finish A&P and test, then i think i'll do developmental psych and my nursing components, and THEN finsh Micro, and info lit while i wait to get a date for CPNE...good luck with whatever you decide!

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jul 10, 2008

Just be aware that you can do the general ed. classes and the first two nursing exams (Essentials of Nursing Care: Health Safety and Essentials of Nursing Care: Health Differences) before you actually pay the $895 enrollment fee. Once you pay that enrollment fee, it starts the clock ticking towards your annual student services fee of $440, so the longer you can put off enrolling, the better!

For Lifespan and Sociology, I did CLEP tests -- Human Growth and Development was accepted in place of Lifespan, and Introductory Sociology for the Soc. credits. They're much less expensive than EC exams, and they're just pass/fail. There is info on CLEP here:

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html

Of course, it's a good idea to make sure EC will accept those CLEPs for your classes; they did for me in January, but it's good to get it in writing. :)

Unfortunately there are no CLEPs for A&P or Micro, but the EC exams are do-able. EC wouldn't accept my "Human Biology" 4-credit class from paramedic school, even though the syllabus looks just like an A&P with no lab; they said it didn't go into depth on the body systems. I begged to differ; I could have sent them my excellent notes from that class that were VERY in depth! Oh well -- it prepared me well for the exam, at any rate. :) I did A&P first because it's a monster (6 credits, covers two semesters' worth of material) and I wanted it out of the way!

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Jul 10, 2008

Good job on knocking out INL 102. Like Lisa, I got A&P out of the way early. I found that studying for one at a time was best for me. I would order the book and schedule the exam (for a few weeks later) at the same time. I seemed to work better knowing that I was studying "under a deadline."

medicmama06 · Jul 12, 2008

Thanks to all for the great help and advice! I love this website! So I went ahead and took the plunge...A&P here I come. I decided it would be best to start there while I have all my "new student" enthusiasm. :lol2:

caliotter3 · Jul 12, 2008

I'm with the advisor who told you to do whatever, whenever. Just get it done at your pace and don't procrastinate. Get on a roll and go for it. Devise a plan that involves a calendar, set goals and stand by them. Don't let things drag on. You can get this done very fast (except for the wait for the final clinical exams at the end) if you push yourself and don't let yourself falter.:wink2:

medicrnohio, RN · Jul 13, 2008

I personally mixed my general ed classes in with my nursing classes. To me it would have been boring knowing I was going to nursing school and only taking my general eds. You may want to save some of your general eds to do while waiting to take the CPNE at the end. I think you can have 6 or 9 credits of general eds to complete and still be eligible to apply for the CPNE.

I second the suggestion of scheduling the date for your exam before you even begin to study. I was able to knock off most classes in 3 to 6 weeks doing it that way.