Published Apr 20, 2005
rhapsodyRN
85 Posts
At my school, a counselor once told me that if I take Phys and Pharm at the same time I might as well become a monk for that term. Well, if I take Phys and Pharm during the summer together that means that if I get accepted this fall (which I have a very good shot at) then I would only have the nursing class in the fall and wouldn't have to worry about either of these two. I think most students have said it's just a lot of work, but I'll be in class four nights a week anyways in Phys, so why not take Pharm online and just get it over with?
Anyone have to take these two classes together and if so, what were your experiences. Yes, I know it would be a lot of work for summer classes, but it would be done and two months of my summer are gone with Phys anyway.
Thanks!
amber74
109 Posts
I used to have the same mindset about my prereqs.Why not just suffer a semester and get it all done?Well,that has changed for me.When I talked to my counselor,she put it in perspective.She said she sees it all the time.People close the doors on their chance to getting in to nursing school.They want to get it done,then they end up with C's and cant get in .Im a good student.I have a 3.9.Im not willing to lose my chance by cramming it all in.Almost every student Ive seen that does this,drops or gets below the min 3.0 in sciences.Then,they wind up taking it over.
I asked myself was I willing to chance it. Also there is the fact that how much will you retain if you cram it in over the summer? These prereqs are very important to your nursing knowledge base.
I thought you should get a different perspective.I see a lot of people say,oh I took chemistry and micro in the summer and got an A...it was easy.
Yeah,when I pushed out my son in labor that was easy too..:uhoh21:
sunnyjohn
2,450 Posts
Rhapsody _93,
Are you taking classes in Dallas County? DCCCD is the only place I know that offers Pharm online, that's why I asked.
I took Bio, Chem and Physics all in one semester. It was very tough, but I had worked myself up to this type of courseload over a few semester.
Amber gave good advice. Only take Physio and Pharm at the same time if you have the time to commit.
Rhapsody _93,Are you taking classes in Dallas County? DCCCD is the only place I know that offers Pharm online, that's why I asked.I took Bio, Chem and Physics all in one semester. It was very tough, but I had worked myself up to this type of courseload over a few semester.Amber gave good advice. Only take Physio and Pharm at the same time if you have the time to commit.
Nope, I'm in Michigan. LCC (lansing community college) offers it online. I do agree with Amber. I definitely do have the time to commit. Although I work full-time, I took 17 credits this semester with Anatomy, Micro, Dev. Psych and Mythology (to replace a sucky core requirement grade). I've managed to keep a pretty steady 4.0 for the semester, and there's only 2 weeks to go. :) I'm an older student, so I think that helps too. Not really old (29), but old enough to where I know what's important to me now. My boyfriend does all the dirty work at home when I'm in school so that I can concentrate on that. I spend 2 hours a night at the minimum reading/studying/doing assignments and I still have had time for fun stuff. I generally spend one weekend day doing homework-related stuff.
I will probably end up taking them both for the simple fact that they are not pre-reqs and won't affect my admission to nursing school unless I don't get in this fall. They are just required to progress and graduate. But I never take a class just to take it, and I feel that if I just had nursing classes during first semester I'd do much better. We have to have phys and pharm done before the end of the first semester of nursing classes or we can't go any further. So that's another motivating reason. :)
I'll probably change my mind 10 times before the semester starts, but for right now I'm saving my spot with registration. Better to register and drop later than decide to do it and there's no spots left! :)
maolin
221 Posts
I think it depends on how you feel *you* could do. If you're a strong student and willing to put in the time, I'd say go for it. If you're worried about just getting by, you might consider taking 1 at a time.
I took Pharm & Physiology, along w/ 2 other classes (14 hrs). Don't get me wrong, it was *HARD* work (really hard) - I studied my bum off. But I ended up w/ A's in both Physio & Pharm - so you see, it isn't impossible. The nice thing about Physio & Pharm is they complement each other - you have to understand Physio to understand actions of drugs and understanding how drugs work helps w/ the Physio. They reinforce the material of the other class. Also, I'd rather take those together than take w/ the nursing courses. I don't know how it's possible to balance studying that in addition to nrsg content & time needed for clinical prep (at least 4-6 hrs) & 16 hrs of actually working in clinical.
Imafloat, BSN, RN
1 Article; 1,289 Posts
We take Pathophysiology and Pharmacology the same quarter where I attend school. We also have a clincial class thrown in the mix. This quarter is very demanding timewise. We have already had 2 quarters of normal physiology, maybe that helps make it a little easier. If you have the time and the desire I say go for it. I am also an older student and am managing A's in all 3 of my classes.
Rhapsody,
Sounds to me like you are a strong studentt and will be able to pull it off. Aren't men who clean great. If I could only get him to clean the cat's litter box I would be in heaven....