Published Jul 7, 2010
mariposabella
356 Posts
Hi I just recently decided to go back to school to finish working on my pre-reqs towards a BSN and I need an elective so I can have full time status fall semester. I'm already taking medical terminology review, A&P II, and organic/biochemistry, so I dont want an elective thats too hard. I want an elective, that will be useful. The only classes I have left before I apply to a BSN program are a foreign language, Microbiology, and Psychology 203 and Im going to take those for spring semester. Life will already be crazy enough with a&p II and chem and I will be working. My school does have a computers in healthcare course, but I dont know if that would be a waste or not. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
Shelby R.
9 Posts
I highly recommend that you take a statistics course because if you ever choose to move on to a masters program, they require that you recieve a "C" in Statistics. Also, I recommend that you take a Spanish Course, possibly "Spanish for the Health Profession". The course teaches you basic spanish phrases that will be essential to know once you come across a hispanic patient. Then when you apply for a job later, you can say that you considered the hispanic community when you took this course and it will improve your communication skills that qualifies you for most nursing positions. Nursing Recruiters see it as a big plus if you take the responsibility of at least attempting to learn a new language, especially spanish.
Saysfaa
905 Posts
You might consider logic/critical thinking, microeconomics, first aid, or self defense.
Some of the vocational medical courses might be a good fit depending on how many credits you need.
Look in the geography or history sections for interesting classes. I took a geography class that was about mapping widespread health problems... how to sort out the causes from the distribution patterns among other things.
I found a one credit class in the hospitality management section on food service sanitation. It is nothing I'd take if I weren't looking for a class to fill in my schedule, but it could be interesting and could be relevent depending on what kind of nursing you want to do.
A compter class could be helpful, perhaps one on desktop publishing or putting together presentations if your basic skills are pretty good.
I want to take the class on basic car operation and maintenance for nonautomotive majors.
rashana
40 Posts
I'd take something easy that uses right brain thinking. With the courses you're taking, you'll overwhelm your rational thinking. Maybe computers but something in art or graphics. I took speech and creative writing, and it help more than you can imagine. When I finally wrote the book to try to change the image of nursing, I had to do a cross country media tour (all kinds of TV, radio and newspapers) and if I hadn't remembered some of my "speech" class suggestions, I would have been a real mess. In case you want to write later (which I couldn't imagine when I first started, it might be good. Good luck!
elkpark
14,633 Posts
I took a course in healthcare economics that was v. interesting and worthwhile as an elective in my BSN completion program, which gave me a much better understanding of the "big picture" in healthcare. It turned out to be one of the most useful and valuable courses I took in the program.
lifelearningrn, BSN, RN
2,622 Posts
I took First Aid as an elective last semester and it was by far the easiest A I've ever had.
MInurse.st
181 Posts
Maybe a sociology, psychology, or anthropology class related to healthcare? My favorite class in college was an anthropology class called Childbirth and Culture. :redbeathe I also enjoyed Sociology of Medicine. This kind of class might be a nice break from the memorization required in your science classes. But beware heavy reading loads and lots of papers - maybe check syllabi first if possible.
OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN
1,229 Posts
I'm not sure but if it was me I would probably take the pysch class just because with that heavy of a work load it would be the easiest chose. I guess my point is take which-ever one that you need that is the least time consuming so that you can concentrate on your other more difficult courses. Thats what I did this semester and its worked out well so good luck :)
choc0late
237 Posts
I just finished a nursing informatics course. If that is similiar to the computers for nursing at your school I would take it. I think it was a great extra for the nursing curriculum. It wasn't too hard, just reading intensive.
Thanks everyone Im taking psych 203 Human Development, I hope its easy! I think I will be going insane with the 2 science courses, but I will make it work.
RebeccaV
92 Posts
maybe a soc opr psych course that applies to what youd want to do, if youre interested in peds - a child psych course, or a soc course on the aging. Im intrested in drug rehab and for anb elective this fall Im taking a crim. justice course on narcotics