How to mange time between nursing classes and gen ed class

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Hello,

I am starting the nursing program this fall. (BSN program). Well, it seems like in every semesters while I will be in the nursing school, I somehow have manage to take at least one non-nursing classes along with all my other nursing classes in order to finish a program with a Bachelor's Degree in 2.5 years. Therefore, I approximately will be taking about 17 credits (with 3 credits of gen. ed class) in each semester.

17 credits is a quite big load in a regular semester already but this is a nursing school so I figure it will be MUCH harder! I guess, I just want some hear some advices or if everybody else is also doing the same thing I am. Anything help would be appreciated.

Thank you

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i've already completed all my gen-ed courses for my nursing program-so i only have nursing courses to take but for financial aid purposes, i need to be full-time which requires me taking courses that i really don't need.

my nursing courses are 10 credits each in addition to any 3 credit gen-ed course that i have to take to remain fulltime. my plan is to primarily focus on my nursing courses because obviously they are going to be more demanding and time consuming while taking "easier courses".

i don't work (thank god) so i figure if i organize myself well enough and utilize effective time management skills, i should be okay and ace those courses.

a good calendar/planner is how i've managed in the past to be successful. i literally put a date and time to everything (chapter readings, skill lab, presentations, test reviews etc.) so nothing goes missing .

you just have to figure out a system that works for you and stick to it...just my 2:twocents:...good luck!

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Wow...good luck! This is why I've taken as much as possible before starting nursing. It's going to be rough but I'm sure you'll do fine! Do you have kids? If so, do you have help? Anyway.....I'll cross my fingers for you!

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Thank you guys for the response!!

I don't have any kids so that is a good thing. I am a transfer student plus I have to fullfill the University upper-division requirement classes to get my Bachelor, not just for the program..that's why I have to take enough general education classes. As much as I don't want to, I really have no choice.

happiness10466, what types of classes of gen ed are you taking with nursing courses? Lots of reading and papers?

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i plan to take an introductory spanish course. i took spanish in hs and did really well so i fiqure it would just be a refresher and maybe an easy "a". another option is an art/film class which i could transfer as a free elective once i go back for my bsn.

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Specializes in L&D.

I want to give you some words of encouragement. Nursing school is time consuming (note I did not say difficult) but it is possible to take and do well in other courses. Last semester I attended two universities taking 15 hours non-nursing and 9 hours nursing. I didn't have any free time, not a single moment, but I finished the semester with A's and B's. I kept a notebook and wrote all of my assignments for the week in it and then just kept up with my studying. If you have a plan you will do fine! Don't worry yourself.

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Thank you kate82! I am staying positive. I know it will be difficult but I am prepared for that. I mainly will want to focus my time on nursing classes just like happiness10466 said but I cannot neglect my gen ed either since it can affect my GPA.

Though, I would think that students who are getting a BSN will have to do the same thing I will be doing (don't count me on that) because according to the course plan from my school, it seems to set it up that way. I went straight from finishing pre-req to the nursing program so there aren't much time to finish ALL of my gen-ed. Classes left I need to take are such as world lit, philosophy, etc.

Anyway, thanks again for your help.

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I am in the same boat as you are Brightstar. For the next couple of years I have to take 1 non-nursing course each semester, except for my last semester. My schedule as follows:

Mon. 11-11:50a.m. Music 100, 12-1:30p.m.Pharmacology, 2-3:30p.m.PedsOB

Tues. Clinical

Wed. same as Monday

Thur. No School

Fri. 11-11:50a.m. Music 100

Since I have Music first, I do that homework first! I know it sounds obsurd, but if I don't do it 1st I'll keep putting it in the back burner.

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I am in the same boat as you are Brightstar. For the next couple of years I have to take 1 non-nursing course each semester, except for my last semester. My schedule as follows:

Mon. 11-11:50a.m. Music 100, 12-1:30p.m.Pharmacology, 2-3:30p.m.PedsOB

Tues. Clinical

Wed. same as Monday

Thur. No School

Fri. 11-11:50a.m. Music 100

Since I have Music first, I do that homework first! I know it sounds obsurd, but if I don't do it 1st I'll keep putting it in the back burner.

It's comforting to hear that I am not alone so thanks to you! I am choosing whether I shoud take a philosophy or a literature class. I have to take both eventually but I guess I just want to get the harder one out of the way (maybe) since I think the first semester of nursing school should be the easiest and it will get harder in the long run. OR I might just take one of the classes in the summer or something.

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