How does this plan of action sound?

Highschoolfuturenurs · Jun 22, 2011

I think that sounds like a good schedule! You really need a 4.0 in all those Fall classes and a high TEAS score. Cause those are the only grades the advisors will see and give you points for. I'll be applying for fall 2012 too, hopefully we both get in! :)

breezy7, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2011

Excellent! My overall GPA is a 3.6 right now, but I suppose they'll mostly look at the program GPA. My only grade concern was a C I got in Math Modeling freshman year (nearly everyone in my class failed it, so I considered myself lucky), so I'm retaking it and replacing it through the new policy GSU passed. Anyway, I'm so excited! Hope to see ya in classes :specs:

GoldenDomer63 · Jun 22, 2011

Here are my comments for what they are worth...

I would postpone taking the TEAS, or try and get in A&P II prior to taking it as there were a lot of questions with regards to the body's physiological functions, which are covered in A&P II. I know all TEAS tests are different, but I saw maybe a couple of questions at the most dealing with topics covered in A&P I.

I think your summer program is ambitious. A&P II covers a vast amount of information and requires you to grasp physiological concepts and processes; it is not rote memorization like A&P I.

Chem II is a lot of work as well...the labs are much more comprehensive than what you encountered in Chem I; you will probably be required to keep a lab notebook and have lab exams. More than likely you will spend two days during the week in lab during the summer. With respect to Chem II lecture, you need to have strong fundamentals in molarity, redox rxns, thermochemistry, acids and bases and net ionic equations. In Chem II you are working strictly with aqueous solutions, so you will be using logarithms extensively. While Chem II is loosely based on Chem I, you will be introduced to equilibrium, kinetics, electrochemistry and nuclear chemistry; therefore, the quantitative aspects of the course are much more involved than Chem I. If you don't gain a grasp on the concepts of equilibrium you will be lost for the majority of the course.

I am not saying it is impossible to take these courses together, but think about it. I know people that took Chem II and other science courses during summer school (Micro and A&P) and didn't do well in either given the truncated time frames and heavy workload involved. Taking those classes during the semester are challenging enough!

Do you have to take 8 hrs of Chem? In addition to taking Chem I and Chem II I also took an introductory class in organic chemistry and biochemistry. I got a lot more out of that than Chem II. Is that an option for you? I found the class interesting and learned a lot. I figure that since most drugs are activated via organic mechanisms, the organic chemistry component would come in handy when I take pharmacology.

Good luck...no matter what you decide!

breezy7, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2011

I totally appreciate your comment. If there were any way I could get into either A&P I or Chem I next semester, I would, but the classes are entirely full. Do you think it makes sense to take only A&P II in the summer, then, and maybe Chem II in the fall along with volunteer hours at a local hospital? That way I could still take the TEAS early fall. That would mean I'd apply for the spring semester instead, I suppose... which is kind of scary financially, but seems to be necessary. Lab classes make this process so frustrating, because I also work full time as a bartender, so I can only be in school two days a week.

Unfortunately, I do have to take 8 hours of Chem labs at GSU. Had I known I'd be taking this path, I would have taken them earlier in my studies rather than the worthless 8 hours of Astronomy labs I took my freshman year! Hah!

GoldenDomer63 · Jun 23, 2011

Is there any possibility you can be waitlisted for the A&P I and Chem I classes for the Fall semester? I understand the financial pressures, but you must balance that against the time commitment required to do well in those two classes. Most, if not all nursing schools look hard at your cumulative science GPA, as it tends to be an accurate barometer if your success in nursing school. Getting anything lower than a "B" in your prerequisite science classes will place you at a disadvantage.

If you feel like you cannot give 100% during the summer, then it is probably best to delay admission until the Spring 2013 semester, it is only what...four months? Not a significant delay in the overall scheme of things. But with that being said, if you feel like you have to do this to get into nursing program for the Fall 2012 semester, then by all means do so.

The intent of my post was not to dissuade you from sticking to your plan, but merely to let you know that both classes you selected will demand that you dedicate significant time to them and that if you can not, or will not, then you are doing yourself a disservice.

Good luck!

breezy7, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2011

No, that was my intention entirely in posting this to begin with! I want input from the folks who have gone through this before, so any and all suggestions are incredibly helpful, and I'll definitely take them into consideration. I had considered asking to be waitlisted; I'm just waiting for the forms to be released on July 1. However, if I'm unable to get into those classes, this is what I'm signed up for at present.

Thank you!!!

ashlauren · Jul 1, 2011

I am incredibly excited, and nervous. (I'm planning on applying for Fall 2012). My only worry is that I have a "C" for Bio 1, but I did go to a difficult school previous to GA state and I'm hoping that will go into consideration.

tex42cares · Jul 2, 2011

I agree to ask to be waitlisted for Ap 1 also what day does Georgia require the class to be funded?? there is a possibility of a few drops .. go become BFF's with the registration dept

Fancy84 · Jul 2, 2011

Excellent! My overall GPA is a 3.6 right now, but I suppose they'll mostly look at the program GPA. My only grade concern was a C I got in Math Modeling freshman year (nearly everyone in my class failed it, so I considered myself lucky), so I'm retaking it and replacing it through the new policy GSU passed. Anyway, I'm so excited! Hope to see ya in classes

I'm a Georgia State grad and i wish the had a replacement policy when i was still an undergrad.

GoldenDomer63 · Jul 3, 2011

I am incredibly excited, and nervous. (I'm planning on applying for Fall 2012). My only worry is that I have a "C" for Bio 1, but I did go to a difficult school previous to GA state and I'm hoping that will go into consideration.

I don't think one "C" will kill you. When I spoke with the admissions counselors during an open house at my university, I was told that they don't expect perfect grades (mostly A's and B's with a few interspersed C's); however, they do look at your core science GPA as the strongest indicator of being able to handle the academic workload. If you have more than a few C's in your core science prerequisites (biology, microbiology, A&P I/II) then you may be at a competitive disadvantage.

Good luck!

breezy7, BSN, RN · Aug 20, 2012

Update:

For anyone with a plan that may be somewhat ambitious like mine was - you CAN do it! Today I start my first day of nursing school at GSU, and I'm absolutely thrilled with the choices I've made to get here.

What have I learned?

Packing your pre-reqs together is excellent preparation for the way nursing school/clinicals are scheduled. Coming from a liberal arts background, I wasn't clear on

A&P II over the summer really is all about the professor you choose and the amount of time you put into it. I was already accepted to the program when I entered the course, but I had to make at least a C in order to ke