Microbiology question

Nursing Students General Students

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Hi everyone! I just spoke with the registrar of my Nursing department this morning and she informed me that when I start in January I'll be able to transfer my Microbiology credit (amoung other classes like psch and english) due to my science based degree from years ago. I am very excited about this because it means I'll be able to devote more time to A&PII and my nursing classes. I'll still be carrying 16 hours. My concern though is that this will put me at a disadvantage, or set me up for not knowing things that I should. I took Micro in 1992, and though I did very well (high 'B'), it's been a while and I don't remember the specifics. What is your opinion? Will I be okay by not taking it, or should I go ahead and ask her not to transfer it and take it, even though I already have? I am torn. Part of me wants to not take it, to make things easier on myself consdering I've had it and will likely recall what I need when it comes time that I need it, but the other part of me worries I'll need the specific info from the class and will be at a major disadvantge by not taking it. Opinions?

Specializes in MS Home Health.

I would take the transfer. I thought micro was pretty worthless when I took it.......Just my thoughts though.

renerian

Hi Jen,

I am sort of in the same boat as you. I have a degree in Agriculture Science and have been able to transfer a lot of my science classes over to a 2 year ASN program.

However, I never took Micro in my former college life and I have it this semester. Speaking for my program I will tell you that you are not missing much. My program only requires basic science classes like Bio. 100, A&P I,II, Chem 100, Micro 100, you get the idea. Anyway, the my teacher for Micro is making the class a total blow off. First exam was a take home, 2nd exam instead of taking a test we wrote a two page double spaced paper about a virus of our choice. No lab reports due, etc. You get the picture.

Anyway, I was kind of nervous about not really learning anything and if I am missing out. Luckily, there is a student in my class that has been an RN for 13 years now and is returning to school to get credits for a Nurse Anethetist. I talked to her about my feelings and she said that I really shouldn't worry because Micro is such a general class that if there is anything you really need to know as a nurse you will learn in your nursing classes. A lot of the things you learn in Micro are nice to know about, but knowing about them isn't a life or death situation when you are nursing.

And I have found that most of the stuff we have covered in class so far is just a reiteration of information that was covered in Biology or Chem.

I wouldn't sweat it. Don't worry about not taking it.

Good Luck! Col

Oh Thank GOD! The registrar kind of gave me "the eye" when I wavered on taking the transfer or not and said, "I hear all the time how tough it is..." an she kind of trailed off, so I figured that was a hint to take the transfer and RUN! I am so psyched to know I'll be okay if I don't take it. WOO HOO! Thanks, guys!

Hi Jen,

All but 2 or 3 students in my class are nursing students. My teacher told all of us that the reason they want nursing students to take the class is really just to drive home the importance of sterile techniques.

Honestly, so far we've covered what DNA and RNA are, what bacteria is and what viruses are and how they are different (not alive), and how they make different pitri dishes. The former have been covered in Bio and the later you aren't going to need to know unless you work in a lab making pitri dishes.

There, you just got a whole semester of Micro for free!!

Take the transfer. If you're concerned aboput what you know and don't know, buy the text book they're using in Micro and look up things you don't remember when they come up. (I tested out of micro when I went to nursing school having taken it about 10 years before.)

Don't make nursing school any harder than it has to be. There are enough classes you have to take and may want to take that going back and retaking something you don't have to is a waste of your time and energy.

I took Micro last semester and along with my class I joined this class and it should help you out...

http://home.universalclass.com/

search for microbiology.

If you're really concerned about what you've forgotten, you can go ahead and take the transfer, but still audit the class. You'll have to pay tuition -- unless it's a huge lecture and you can just sneak in the back row ;) -- but you won't have to worry about exams or grades...

Here is a variation on the discussion question. I took Biology during the Fall 1989 semester, and earned an 'A' in the course. I might be able to convince the college to waive this prerequisite for A&P and Microbiology. Is this the right thing to do? From examining nursing school program prerequisites, it looks like Biology is rarely mentioned, so that should not be a problem. On the other hand, I don't want to be unprepared for other courses. Does Microbiology require a strong prerequisite background in Biology?

MK2002: I don't think you need to know biology to do micro..I took biology in HS and about 17 yrs later got into micro just for nursing and it hasn't made much difference in my day to day work.However, A&P has made a difference.

Micro would be useful if you want to work as a lab tech.. A&P's are the most important from my experience.

:cool:

Hi MK,

For my Micro class I would say that if you remember general principles from Bio I, you would do OK. It helps to have an idea of what the book is talking about, but really, the book and teacher are going to explain and go over any really important concepts so either way, you'll get the info. you need.

As for A&P I think it really depends on what your teacher is like and how they test you. I have heard a lot of people on this board talk about all the chem. that they had to recall and understand to make it through A&P. But in my class a lot more emphasis was placed on knowing what your organs did and memorizing their names and locations.

But I really felt that having an understanding of basic bio. and chem. principles was enough to make it through A&P. I think the only time I really had to have a handle on chemistry was when we were studying muscles and how they contract. I am very bad at chem and haven't had it in about 7 years but once I read the book and studied the material I didn't have a problem.

I think you will do fine. Because you haven't had bio in a while it may take you a little longer to grasp the info. and remember it but it is not impossible.

Good Luck,

Col

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