HELPP-When to take Pharmacology??

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Hi Everyone!

I hope some of you can help me out by sharing your suggestions.

So here's what I'm dealing with:

The community college that I am finishing up my pre-req's in, is offering Pharmacology as a general class to take (meaning you don't have to be part of the nursing program).

The college that I applied to for my accelerated BSN said that if we take Pharma at another college it will transfer and we won't have to re-take it.

Now, I am worried that if I take Pharma at my community college and not part of the ABSN program that I will be behind, or what if it's taught very differently or more in depth at the other school? Should I just wait and take it as part of the ABSN program? The only reason why I would want to take it at the community college is because I only have one pre-req left (Chemistry) that I'm taking during the spring semester so my schedule won't be busy and I'll have more time. The ABSN program is 15 months and will be packed with classes all through out.

I also can't take it twice, I am paying out of pocket for the pre-req's and the ABSN.. so I am really trying to save money.

My other option would be to just audit the class now to make it easier on myself when and IF I get into the other program...

Ahh! I am so confused! Help! Any input would be greatly appreciated!!

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I attended an accelerated BSN program and we had to take both pharmacology and pathophysiology in our program. I would definitely not take pharmacology at the community college level, it's likely not going to be the same class you will get in nursing school as nursing school pharmacology is obviously tailored to nursing education. If you can audit it, that would certainly give you an edge when you get to nursing school. Hope this helps.

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I would take it at the community college, and then TAKE IT AGAIN.

sounds crazy, but ..... doing it a second time, youll have a nice foundation going in, and at the ASBN program it will be taught differently, that much I know for sure. the community college will give you a basic idea of meds and different categories and mechanisms, in the nursing program you'll learn that and so MUCH MORE, when it comes to nursing implications, teaching, different lab values, etc...

so when you have the basics down, you can concentrate on the other stuff and won't be bombarded with information like the rest of your classmates in the nursing program.

and pharm is a heavy course and counts for alot, the more exposure you have, the better you will do in it,

thats just my two cents, and wish you the best!

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just saw that you are paying out of pocket, but yea definitely take it once in the ASBN program then, and try and sit in on the lectures if you are allowed in the community college, that way you dont have to pay but still get exposed to the material

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It's pharmacology which is a hard science not some theoretical based class. I doubt you will be missing any information.

Take it at the community college where it is likely cheaper, then transfer it. It will give you some breather room while doing the ABSN. I am sure you will know a few people in the Pharm class once you are in the ABSN program who will let you look at their syllabus and you can gauge if you missed out and self study if you think you did.

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Thank you all for your input! I decided to audit the course (sit in on the lectures w/o receiving the grade), however, my community college actually cancelled the class so it's not available anymore anyway. I did receive a pharmacology book from a former nursing student so I've been self studying. Hopefully it will help me at least get some general knowledge on the subject.

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