Microbiology...Should I Stay or Should I Go???

leenak · Jun 1, 2012

I took Micro in a regular semester but the last couple weeks were pretty lax, they could've easily condensed those into the rest of the semester. I don't see that it would be an issue. I'm taking a 6 week Chem course right now and it isn't bad at all.

KMtoRN · Jun 2, 2012

I took both A&P I and II in one summer semester. I took Micro in a regular semester. I think I would have enjoyed Micro more if I had taken it in the summer. It was too long in the regular semester. If you did well in A&P during the summer I definitely think you can handle Micro.

Although, some found Micro to be harder than A&P so it really depends on your interests and determination.

PCroizier · Jun 2, 2012

My micro was a 5 unit course (one more than necessary) and it was hard!! We lectured every day of class and even spent some labs doing lecture AND the lab. We had a test every three chapters and each chapter consisted of 15-20 learning objectives that were ALL on the exams. I would say for the class I was in I would have died doing it in summer. (I also did A&P over a summer and thought it a breeze) it really will depend on your professor and what they will require.

Cali_Nurse_209 · Jun 2, 2012

Since micro is a pre req, therefore required, then I'd take micro. I can understand your are worried about cramming but it seems like you would do well in the summer taking it. I would suggest that if you do take that class in the summer, it's recommended that you take it by itself so you can focus on just that. I feel it's better to get the pre reqs out the way because the longer it takes, the longer it will be before you can apply to the program. The class isn't as bad as a lot of people make it out to be. But ultimately it's your decision.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2012

I'd go with the Micro. You stated it was a pre-req so it is needed before you can even think about getting into the program. Worse case senerio, you don't pass with the grade you need, at least you have the fall (full) semester to redo the class and bring your grade up. If you wait until the fall, and again worse case you don't pass, you won't be able to take it again until the Spring.

I took Micro during our winter 'intersession' which was 6 wks long. Lab was 2x/wk for 4 hrs per lab (manditory attendance) and lecture was 'optional' (hybrid class) but also ran 2x/wk for 4 hrs each lecture. I had no interest in micro and was scared to death of it. I passed the class with an A and actually enjoyed the class. Had I attempted A&P in a condensed session I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have done as well as I had during the regular session.

The ultimate decision is yours but I'd go with the summer Micro class and forego the unreqired patho class for now.

Philly_LPN_Girl, LPN · Jun 2, 2012

hi everyone!

so as of right now, i only have 2 pre-req's to complete before i'm able to apply for the nursing program for next fall. i have to take microbiology and english composition. my question is...should i take microbiology this summer, its a 7 week program. or should i take pathophysiology (not required, but per our nursing counselors would be an excellent class to take). i'm a little apprehensive about taking microbiology because its only 7 weeks and i'm terribly afraid to fail the class because its all so crammed into those 7 weeks. pathophys is spread out in 10 weeks but the class only meets about 5 or 6 times and it just doing presentations on case studies with a group of other students. i work full time (40 hours/week). i took a&p 1 in the summer last year and got an a, but i think a large reason behind that was because of my instructor. he was an amazing instructor. not knowing this microbiology instructor, i'm really not sure what his teaching style is so its hard to tell if i would be able to do as well as i did in a&p 1. just not sure what to do as i don't want to shoot myself in the foot. any of those who have experienced something similar or have any ideas/input, please let me know! thanks for your help. i really look to this site for support and i am so thankful that its here for us nursing students to use because i find it to be oh so helpful! =)

-colleen

since micro is a requirement, i would take that one first and get it out of the way instead of waiting and, you could always find out who the instructor is and go on rate my professor and see what other students had to say about them. micro does require a lot of studying and has labs but, is doable, i did mines in spring of 09 and i loved it it was easy to me and i had the best micro teacher ever.

jocy_anne · Jun 4, 2012

I'm 2 weeks into an 8-week Micro class and it's not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I work full-time and have to drive straight to class from work Monday - Thursday. It's a bit exhausting (especially on the days I force myself to go to the gym after class), but I just keep telling myself it's only 8 weeks. The real test will come tomorrow night when I take my first test, haha. But I say go for it!