Nurses, am I crazy for thinking I can do this?

FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP · Dec 16, 2017

It is possible. How difficult it is depends on you - we don't know what you find easy or difficult. I am curious, though, as to why patho is a prereq. Normally, patho is taught in nursing school.

caliotter3 · Dec 16, 2017

Well, if it is what you have to do, then it is what you have to do. Assuming that since you are accepted into the program, all you have to do is to pass the classes. If you have to do well, as in at least a B, in each class, that may be another story, but certainly not out of the realm of possibility. Good luck.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Dec 16, 2017

Welcome to allnurses! I have moved your post to the general student forum to encourage responses. Congratulations on your acceptance and good luck!

Aaron.goins3 · Dec 16, 2017

At the college I go to, Patho is the first nursing class you are enrolled in. It is after you have you been accepted into the program, but you take it in the spring before the clinical style classes start in the fall.

Polly Peptide, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Dec 16, 2017

My A&P class was combined, but I did take A&P together with Micro. Had no issues. Patho is in my nursing program (not a prereq) so I can't speak to that. But considering how I handled the others, I think I would have been fine. I also found Micro and A&P I to be supportive of one another. All depends on your affinity for science and your ability to stay organized. But it also sounds like you don't have a choice...

blackboxwarning · Dec 17, 2017

That's a heavy load in my opinion. If your school offers summer classes I would split them up.

Summer Days · Dec 17, 2017

I concur with the OP. It sounds easy on paper but the lab portion of those classes will have you spinning rollercoaster style. I'd say you split two classes in the Spring & the other 2 during summer. Good luck

AceOfHearts<3 · Dec 17, 2017

I wouldn't do it. I also think anatomy and physiology should be a pre-req for pathophysiology. If you don't have a grasp on normal physiology, it will be that much harder to understand the abnormal (which is what pathophysiology is).

I'm really surprised you got accepted into the program without those 3 core classes- anatomy, physiology, and microbiology.

Edit: This is also an important lesson do keep up on stuff yourself and not expect somebody else to do it for you- you have a much higher investment then they do. I always figured out my plan for classes and double checked (used my advisor as a second set of eyes) with my advisor.

hyjung0916 · Dec 17, 2017

Im also doing my prereqs for nursing and wow... these subjects would be the ones I tried to not overlap. I dont know how smart you are... but I wouldnt be able to survive...

SunshineNRainbows, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2017

In my opinion, you cannot be successful in Patho without first having learned anatomy and physiology, and well. It's a very challenging course, and you have to really know the normal function before you start learning the abnormal, that's just how it is. It can potentially be done, but you will have to work much harder and be aware that the courses may not follow the same topic order, so you may find yourself stuggling to understand the patho of a system if you do not know/understand the structure and function of it first.

Easy example: endocrine, seems basic in theory, but in practicality the amount of hormones and electrolytes involved and the cascade reactions, will make it difficult to understand. For example: T3 and T4 are thyroid hormones, however they also affect Calcium absorption. The signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism, relate to changes in the blood calcium concentrations. It's easier to know that hyperthyroidism creates an increase in heart rate because increased calcium lowers action potentials of the muscle cells of the heart and makes them more excitable, if you already learned in physiology that calcium, potassium, and sodium regulate cell action potentials. Does that make some sense? It's quite possible that getting thrown into the weeds with all this information coming at you at once will seem like a different language. Actually, a lot of students feel like they are always learning a new language and challenged with the material when it is presented to them in the traditional course succession, I cannot imagine how much more that feeling would be trying to learn it all at once.

Ruixi13, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2017

Don't want to sound negative or shooting down hopes, but it does sound extremely difficult. As said before, pathology especially should not be taken before or at the same time as the others. At my school its part of the nursing curriculum not a pre-req (as I find appropriate). Whether you take AP1 then AP2, or take anatomy followed by physiology that seems like a 2 semester progression as well. Microbiology can be taken together with any A&P type class, but again should be taken before pathology. The course load of 4 science heavy classes in one semester is difficult as it is, but these classes constantly use the material learned in A&P classes so that would add to your struggle. Is it possible to take even just patho over the summer?? If it's your only choice due to impending deadline then I wish you the best of luck and god speed!