Major Issue...

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Sep 17, 2014

Personally, I wouldn't take Micro with another biological science course. Otherwise, take the A&P courses sequentially and you should feel somewhat free to mix/match other courses to make sure they work. Here's a tip though: look at the course prerequisites and then look for any prerequisites to those prerequisites. It could be that Chemistry is a prerequisite to several other courses. If that's the case, knock that out first along with perhaps Stats or a prereq course for statistics.

Find out where you want to go and reverse-engineer the courses all the way back to where you are now. Micro is usually a difficult course so try to pair it with an easier course unless you absolutely have no other choice. If that happens, then be prepared to work pretty darned hard to ensure you know the material and not neglect the other hard science course.

Good luck! It's a tough road, but it's doable if you do your part.

ShaylaRae · Sep 17, 2014

Thank you for replying. I will definitely look into the prerequisites for the classes I must take.

lovemykiddos · Sep 17, 2014

While I agree with the comments to not pair micro and A&P if you don't have to, don't panic if you end up with that as your only choice. I took micro and physio (my school does 1 semester anatomy and 1 semester physiology) and managed an A in both (while working 24 hrs a week). Likewise, a girl who took both of those classes with me also got A's in both. So it is doable. But I won't lie, it was an exhausting semester. Good luck!

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2014

Good day, ShaylaRae

Here's what I would recommend:

Chemistry, statistics, possibly nutrition together

AP 1 (if you didn't take stats or nutrition, then add them here)

AP2 and Microbiology

I'm 51, and this past January through May I took AP2, Microbiology, Nutritional Science, and Life Cycle Development; it was extremely hard, required a heavy time investment (around 36 to 48 hours per week for just AP2 and Microbiology -- outside of classes/labs), but was doable without sacrificing GPA. I love science, so that did help.

Thank you.

ShaylaRae · Sep 17, 2014

Thank you for the info. I'm a bit worried but I know I will be so happy once I finish this up.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Sep 18, 2014

Good day, ShaylaRae
Here's what I would recommend:
Chemistry, statistics, possibly nutrition together
AP 1 (if you didn't take stats or nutrition, then add them here)
AP2 and Microbiology

I completely agree with this. I found it much better to have similar classes at the same time. Chemistry is so math intensive, it would go well with Stats. I had Physiology (A&P2) and Microbiology together and they actually went together quite nicely. It's definitely a LOT of work, but certainly do-able. Just stay organized & get a good planner :)

crazyemtchic · Sep 18, 2014

My advisor had me set to take all my A&P classes in the course of a whole year. When I realized that I would have to wait an additional year to get into nursing school, I changed things. I know it's going to be more challenging, but I have talked to friends that have done it and said that it is doable. I am taking Bio, a math class (pre-cursor to stats), and public speaking (one of the pre-reqs that is required) this semester. Next semester I have chemistry, A&P I and another math class, and then the last semester I have A&P II, Stats and Micro chem. I know it's going to be a rough year, but I can do it. I am sure you can too!!!

honeyrose29 · Sep 18, 2014

Don't be surprised if your advisor tells you not to take micro with A&P. My college does anatomy and physiology separately and last semester I took physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, and spanish II. It was extremely difficult, but it absolutely can be done without sacrificing your GPA if you are dedicated enough. Those classes are going to be hard to pair up if you are taking 3 per semester, no matter how you put them together. Chem is definitely math intensive and a lot of physics, at least in my chem it is. So that is something to consider. However, if you take Chem first, it will help you with your A&P and your Micro. A&P I&II and Micro are all heavy in memorization and course load. Stats is just ugly no matter how you do it. I wish you the best! If it makes you feel any better, I'm trying to knock out bachelors prereqs while I wait to get accepted into the ADN program. I'm taking 23 credit hours this semester, so that I can apply for a BSN program next month if I'm not accepted into the ADN program at my community college. Good luck!

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Sep 18, 2014

Good day, honeyrose29:

My advisor told me to take Microbiology separate from AP1 or 2. My AP1 professor shared she generally tells her AP1 students to avoid taking Microbiology with AP2, but did share that if you love science, are good with time management and discipline it is doable. As I shared, I went against the grain by taking both classes in addition to a Nutritional science class and a psychology class. It was extremely hard; I was burnt out after finals, but it was doable.

Thank you.

ShaylaRae · Sep 18, 2014

Thank you all for your insight. I am definitely going to take everything into consideration. I know I will just have to manage everything. It will be hard either way. It is just how you look at it.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Sep 19, 2014

I took A&P II with micro and 3 other classes. One of those was English Comp which was writing intensive. I had an A in all except micro where I got a B. It's a lot of studying but it can be done if you have the time. Everyone looked at me like I was crazy when I gave my schedule last fall. I also went through a divorce. I honestly think the heavy schedule helped keep my mind off of it. Then this spring I took 4 classes but more credit hours and got all A's. I really worked at scheduling and making sure I had time to study. I prioritized my day every day. I got myself into a routine of getting up at the same time every day and going to sleep at the same time at night. Doing all of that really helped especially with stress levels. I also made time for exercise which I thought was important.