Nurses, am I crazy for thinking I can do this?

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Hey guys! I'm new to this website and this is my first post. I'm just wanting to get your opinion on the matter.

Basically, when I transferred to my current school, I was pretty much screwed up by the advisor at that time. I have just found out that I was accepted into the nursing program that begins next fall, but I still need to finish 4 classes in the spring semester. Those 4 classes are: pathophysiology, microbiology with lab, anatomy with lab, and physiology with lab. I've been told by advisors and peers that this seems really difficult and unattainable.

Is it really though? It is only 4 classes. Isn't nursing school going to be just as difficult if not more? I won't be working at all during the semester and will be focusing solely on school. The anatomy and the physiology classes are taught by the same professor. The microbiology class is taught by the same professor I had general biology for.

Given this information, do you think it's possible to do well in these 4 classes?

I look foward to your feedback!

I concur with the OP. It sounds easy on paper but the lab portion of those classes will have you spinning rollercoaster style. I'd say you split two classes in the Spring & the other 2 during summer. Good luck

I agree that, if it's possible to take some of the classes in the summer, it would make the most sense to divide them over the two terms. My recommendation, if it were possible, would be to take micro and anatomy first, and then physiology and pathophys (although I also agree with others here that it makes no sense to expect people to take pathophysiology before they've taken "regular" physiology -- how are you supposed to understand what goes wrong with people if you don't already understand how we work in the first place?)

If you don't have a choice and you're determined enough, you can probably get through all four if you have no other responsibilities during the semester. However, doing it that way probably means that you won't really master the content of any of the courses.

Best wishes!

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It is possible but it will be difficult. If you are able to take pathophysiology in the summer then do that. It doesn't make much sense to take pathophysiology at the same time as A&P but if your only option is taking them all at the same time, then take all at the same time. The semester will be a rough one ...

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Specializes in Midwife, OBGYN.

I agree with the other posters on this thread. Do you best to split your class load. Doing it in one go will be tough.

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If you can stay organized and study, then you may be able to do it. Just be prepared to drop everything, EVERYTHING, and focus only on studying. You have a lot to lose if you mess up in the classes. Another option would be to take 3 of those classes and see if you could take 1 during the summer before you start? It will lessen the load a little for spring.

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I agree with other posters, if the nursing program doesn't start until next fall - split the classes between spring and summer.

If you do the classes altogether, the fact that you aren't working will help allow you to focus more on the classes and not feel so overwhelmed. It is possible to do it though. It you are hardworking and determined enough and can set a schedule for yourself and keep it - like look at your syllabus the first day of class, find out what assignments are due when for each class, when projects are due, when tests are, etc. Then, make a schedule for yourself so you can get everything done in time - DON'T LEAVE THINGS FOR THE LAST MINUTE! If you are a procrastinator, I don't recommend grouping these classes together. If you make a good schedule and do things according to that schedule, it will be a lot easier and allow you to do well in the course.

I do agree with what the other poster's said about needing A&P before patho. You said you are transferring into this school - are you repeating these courses because the classes didn't transfer or are you just taking them for the first time? The reason I ask is, when I went to school for medical assisting, I took A&P 1&2, when I transferred to my nursing school, both my A&P courses transferred. When I spoke with other people that said they had also went to my previous school they were surprised my A&P 1&2 had transferred. I asked why, and they said because there's didn't. I immediately went to my advisor, and her exact words were, "Don't rock the boat. If it transferred, it transferred. Leave it at that." So, unfortunately, I took her word for it and I just left it alone. Then, she had a family thing occur and had to leave the school. So, a new advisor took over. Right before we ended for summer break, we had to turn in a sheet that stated all our courses for the advisor to make sure we were on track to graduate after summer break (after summer break we had fall semester and had our final course in winter semester and were graduating). I turned mine in, and OF COURSE, the new advisor contacted me and said I still had to so A&P 1&2 - I was like WHAT?!! I am this far in and NOW you are telling me this!! Of course, they were only offering A&P 2 in the summer and A&P 1 in the fall - so I had to take them backwards, but since I had already taken them before and was so far in the nursing program anyways they let me do it.

My point of this rant (lol), is if you are transferring into the nursing school and it is just that your courses didn't transfer so you have to repeat them, then I would say you can definitely do it. If you are taking them for the first time and can split them between spring and summer - I would do that. It would be much easier on you. If you need to take them all in the spring semester - take my advice about making yourself a schedule and sticking to it. If you are a procrastinator - I DO NOT suggest it!

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Specializes in Med-surg, home care.

I personally wouldn't do it, especially A&P with patho, just seems a lot. Also you need a minimum grade in prereq to get into most nursing programs (usually high Bs or As) but since you were already accepted maybe you can get by with C+. I am surprised patho is a prereq for you. Patho was actually part of the nursing program and not a prereq for me.

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Let me just clear a few things up.

1.) I am transferring to a different school. I have had both physiology and anatomy before, but had to withdraw in the middle of the semester due to a personal situation. I am not going into this blind without any information about the two subjects.

2.) pathophysiology is not a pre-req at my school. You aren't allowed to take this class until you are accepted into the program. Most students in my cohort have already completed most if not all of their core requirements. I (due to a scheduling error) have not.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Is a summer course of patho an option? I do online patho, and it is an enormous amount of material (minimum 20 hours a week reading and study), for a 4 credit hour course.

Strongly recommend doing the A&P first. If the same prof is teaching both, they should coordinate well. Since you've already done bio, the micro shouldn't be a problem.

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Specializes in Neurosciences, stepdown, acute rehab, LTC.

If patho is the first nursing class , can you take it in the fall when you start nursing ? I don't think first semester nursing was as hard as all those science classes, but others may disagree.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

You can do it if you are both dedicated and intelligent. Not working is a good thing.

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Do I think your crazy for thinking you can do this? Absolutely not, but is it a good idea? I don't think so. If I were in your position I would do whatever I needed to get in the program and I understand that, but I don't think it's the best idea. Anatomy and physiology will provide your foundation for nursing school and I'm afraid that with the workload you'll have you might be spreading yourself thin. Physiology mechanisms are so important to understand and in order to comprehend that you need to know your anatomy. If you really want to do this then I would do A&P and Micro in the Spring and patho in the summer. I think it would be really difficult to do patho while still learning A&P. Good luck!

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