Is 22 credit hours a semester too much?

SarahStoddard14 · Dec 11, 2013

If I was you I would postpone the CNA class because you will have clinicals. My cna class had I think a week or 2 of clinicals and they were 8 hours each day. All the other classes shouldn't be too hard to do. The classes you named were pretty easy for me. I thought they were the easiest classes I ever took (besides chemistry) that will require a lot of time and studying. I think you should do those classes but hold off on the CNA if you can.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2013

Good day:

Yikes that is a heavy load. Science courses with a lab typically require 1.5 to 2.0 times the normal study time of 2 hours per week per credit hour. So just with the 17 credit load you would be looking at ~ 40+ hours of study per week. Then add in the CNA classes, clinicals and study time... when would one even sleep. 17 would be tough and possibly hurt your GPA; 22... yikes.

Thank you.

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Dec 11, 2013

Holy moly. Even w/o the CNA class that's a huge load, esp if you want to maintain a good GPA.

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Dec 11, 2013

Also, you might want to look into the state board for your state, but in my state you can take your CNA after first semester of NS. I will be doing that in January.

Guests · Dec 12, 2013

I was going to say that "only you know what you can handle" but since you're a college freshman, I'm not sure that you do know.

Your proposed load sounds manageable but very busy.

I see no real benefit to trying to cram a CNA class into your college schedule.

I would suggest holding off on the CNA thing for a couple of years... or giving it a pass altogether.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2013

I did ABSN and we had 22 hours a semester at times. I guess after the semester you can look back and decide if it was worth it.

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2013

If you are single, have few responsibilities, like no kids, no job etc and commit to it on a daily basis I think it's doable and I rarely tell pre-nursing students to do more than 12 credits. The biggest mistake is having too many science classes in the same semester. I take it some of these are online classes?

Chemistry will be your biggest challenge if you have never done it before. And English, Psych and History you will have many papers to write. If you are good at writing those should be relatively easy. Nutrition is lots of common sense. CNA school can be tiring and time consuming and you would risk making low grades in your classes. Leave the CNA stuff for when you come back from your volunteering. If you need the CNA for your volunteer trip I'd drop the history and Psych class. But really if you are going to be in nursing school soon, 1st semester covers the basic CNA stuff so I won't make it a priority unless it really needed for the volunteer work you are going to be doing.

Only you really know how much you can handle.

ThatBigGuy · Dec 12, 2013

Here in New Mexico, becoming a CNA requires 75 hours of classroom education and 100 hours of clinicals. Over the course of a standard 16 week semester, that's literally 11 hours a week in class or clinical. Add in your travel time, and you're looking at close to 15 hours a week in class, in clinicals, or in your car, and doesn't account for any studying.

Add in the emphasis on GPA for nursing school admittance and advanced degrees, you're probably better off taking a smaller load.

If you decide to attempt it, keep an eye on your grades and the withdrawal date for your school. Do whatever you have to in order to get the best grades possible, especially with any nursing school pre-reqs.

queserasera, RN · Dec 12, 2013

I wouldn't take the CNA course with that heavy of a load.

jofapcastillo · Dec 12, 2013

Dont get the CNA. Focus on your studies and getting good grades. Thats what they are looking for the most, your GPA.

Everline · Dec 12, 2013

Seems like a lot. It can be done for sure and it can be done well depending on your other obligations. Personally, though, I wouldn't want to do it, lol. Rethink the CNA class. Find out if you can take the test after your first semester of nursing school and do it then if you still want to.