NOVA Courses/Teacher question

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jan 11, 2009

I'm in the last semester of NVCC Nursing program, so the pre-reqs are a bit fuzzy in my head,and things may have changed. I took BIO 141/142, and I think that may have been an online class. I had no problems with the instructor. As well though since there was no "micro" in that class I had to take BIO 205. I took that over the summer at Annandale campus, and wow, that teacher rocks!!! She makes lectures very exciting, and the labs were a hoot!!

Now I belive if one takes NAS 161/162, it covers all the BIO you require, even micro (coul dbe wrong). I know my adviser informed me, that I took the long route,lol But I wasn't sure if I took NAS 161/162 they would transfer to other schools, but I knew the "BIO" ones would

One can look at http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/ to get an idea on profs, but I have found that site isn't exactly accurate! I think some students just want a free ride and if they get challenged a bit, they leave negative remarks!

Best of luck

krenee · Jan 11, 2009

As far as online, I don't see any difference in what teacher you took - unless things have changed since I took NAS 161 & 162 a couple of years ago, it's basically self-study. Read the book & study guide, take an exam . . . repeat about 7 times. That's your grade. There was very little interaction with the professors - I think I had to tell them that I had taken the exam, but I got my grade automatically when I took the exam at the testing center.

I do believe these classes are harder online than in person for that reason - you teach yourself from the book. Took many hours of studying to pull out an A, as in up to 5-6 hrs a day, minimum 3. But good to get the study habits down before starting nursing school!

Best of luck!

Kelly

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jan 11, 2009

Interesting, I have found for the most part the online classes fairly easy! One just has to be disciplined to pace yourself,lol The hardest course for me pre-req wise was BIO-101!!! I had to request an extension as I was such a slacker,lol

But do agree, the online classes for the most part, should be fairly uniform

Cilantrophobe · Jan 12, 2009

By all means, take 2 classes rather than 3. If I understand you correctly, you are taking only pre-reqs through NOVA, and applying to the GMU nursing program correct? I just finished NAS 161 and 162 and I agree that they are both just a lot of self-study. I had a much better lab instructor for 161 than I did for 162, but a better lecture instructor for 162. If you PM me I will tell you my opinion of who the best two instructors are, and I know many of them (annandale only). Since I haven't taken any BIO since high school and don't need micro, I cannot herlp you in that area. All I know is NAS 161 and 162 are great classes, I learned a lot, but they must be taken very seriously. I know many students in both classes that didn't work hard enough and got C's, and trust me you will want A's. I got about a 91% in 161 and a 100% in 162.

NParker · Jan 12, 2009

Thanks for all the replies. I am afraid I didn't phrase this correctly, when I mentioned looking up teachers online, I meant on ratemyprofessor. No way this ol' boy would try to do this online ! Any NOVA teachers you liked let me know, here PM whatever. I suspect I know who the 205 teacher mentioned is, if I can I am going to try to get her for that and 161.

My current plan is NAS 150 now,then Micro summer,161 Fall and 162 Spring, God willing and the creek dont rise...

I have a BA, I plan on appyling to Mason,VCU and NOVA. Mason and NOVA take 161-162 w/no micro, VCU wants Micro with any A&P. So I am trying to cover my bases each school has diffrent pre-reqs and thats not even mentioning the non-science ones. Oh well better safe than sorry

alem992 · Jan 12, 2009

I took NAS 161 and 162 at the Alexandria Nova w/ Ms. Nguyen. That lady was one of the best teachers I have ever had in my life. She broke everything down to the simplest form. Her accent is really thick and a lot of people don't like her for that, but you eventually get use to her accent. She is a really nice lady and will do everything to help you learn. This really helped me during nursing school because I had a really good foundation of anatomy and physiology. One more thing she gives you a weekly quiz, so you do have to keep up with your readings.

LaMereMaverique · Jan 26, 2009

If you plan to pursue graduate study at some point, you should take A&P 1, A&P 2, and Micrio all as separate classes or chances are you'll just have to take them again in order to apply to grad programs.

Cilantrophobe · Jan 26, 2009

I always hear people complaining of the accents of various instructors and that is pretty unfortunate for those students because some of the greatest teachers have thick accents. It has never been a problem for me, to understand those with thick accents or speech impairments, thank God!

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jan 26, 2009

I have never really had a problem with any of the profs accents. For the most part the profs are great! I honestly get more out of studying on my own, than lectures anyways

ehlim412 · Mar 3, 2009

take Dr. Vander Maten at Annandale campus for your NAS classes. She's the best. I did terrible online but I did very well in her class. Gives awesome examples and encourages students

calledtodo · Mar 17, 2009

Take BIO 141-142 for sure. You will need to understand fluid and electrolyes. I think that the bio is more thorough and the nas just sorta goes over the info but bio is definitely the better route so that you really understand the info. If you have time take the nutrition class. It is definitely helpful and you will be going over this info alot.