Pre-nursing students: What is your course/credit load?

Published

I am preparing to start my prerequisites for the ADN RN program this summer and I'm starting with Anatomy & Physiology I and Science of Human Nutrition. That's 7 credits all together [A&P has lab], in the Fall I am taking Anatomy & Physiology II, Microbiology, and Computer Applications. 11 credits. In the Spring I am taking Psychology, Ethics, English, and Lifespan Development. 12 credits. THIS WILL FUFILL ALL MY PREREQUISITES AND GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS. And over the summer I am applying for the RN program while taking whatever course I choose.

How many credits do you take a semester? How many hours a week do you study? And you think I could fit a few French classes or World Religion classes in there? Or just leave it where it's at...I think I have a decent and easy course load and I want to make sure I make As in all my classes but I'd love to take french or religion if I can manage it...

Science is my personal favorite! I hate English/Psychology/Sociology type papers, lol.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think I'm going to move my Micro class to the spring semester, like everyone is saying because although science is my best subject and I have always done extremely well in science...it is very time consuming. I think that personally, taking a lot of the intense paper classes [Psych. English. Ethics. ect.] and science labs will be time consuming but not really 'hard' for me. What is really going to kill me is the math! I ahve always been able to excel in every subject except for math. Although it's not a prerequisite, I may have to take a class if my score isn't high enough on the college placement test. So I'm studying my Algebra super hard before class registration begins!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I take between 12 and 14 credit hours a semester, I work around that and I am married. I get all A's in classes, (save for chemistry) and study time depends on the work each week, if theres a test theres more study time, im lucky enough to not have any homework in my classes...Right now im in A&PI, Child Psychology, Chem1121, and a piano class to make sure im full time.

I think it really depends on you, i know you said you live with family and have no obligations, that makes it much easier, if you feel confident enough then take on as much credit hours as you want....

I have a friend taking pre req's for nursing right now, and they have 36 credit hours! she is doing pre req's for nursing as well as going for a bachelors in psychology. Shes doing great, mostly because she doesn't have to work, and has no obligations at home.

Your one of the lucky ones Skylar!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Do you already have a background in French from high school? Because Spanish is much easier (and more practical in Nursing) to learn, might as well not make things harder on yourself.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I took a semester of french before I dropped out and got my GED. It was actually an easy class and I loved it.

I have a question though. I'll need to take the college placement test and Elementary Algebra is all I need to take A&P...which I could test out of if I was good at math but I'm not..I suck and if I ever want a bachelors I'd need to take College Algeba.

How did you guys survive MATH!?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I found a way to enjoy math, I HATED it in high school, I got D's up until 11th grade, then i was still getting low B's and C's....

But for some reason, in college, I just enjoyed it more, I don't know if it was the lower amount of "peer pressure" or the fact that the professors are really amazing, and you can visit their office for help, and even call them and email them (which you can't do in high school) Plus they have free tutors in my college....

I just enjoyed it honestly...I got A's and was even tutoring other in Statistics and Algebra.

Which placement test do you have to take to place out of it? Most placements tests will have study guides you can buy that will help lay out exactly what is on the test and how to master it.

I would also recommend doing a search on Amazon.com for Algebra study guides, or something to that nature, If you want to get a head start its something to at least look into...

Good luck with it though! i can give you some pointers for specific things if you need it...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi I would really like some answers. I have been looking to transfer my credits from Canada t the USA but the schools I checked all said they don't accept transfered credits from outside the USA. I have not done my clinicals but completed all my finals in theory. Would like to know if my credits can be transfered to the USA for completion. Can some help me with this please. Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hi I would really like some answers. I have been looking to transfer my credits from Canada t the USA but the schools I checked all said they don't accept transfered credits from outside the USA. I have not done my clinicals but completed all my finals in theory. Would like to know if my credits can be transfered to the USA for completion. Can some help me with this please. Thanks.

You're going to want to start a new thread for that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hi I would really like some answers. I have been looking to transfer my credits from Canada t the USA but the schools I checked all said they don't accept transfered credits from outside the USA. I have not done my clinicals but completed all my finals in theory. Would like to know if my credits can be transfered to the USA for completion. Can some help me with this please. Thanks.

I've heard that you can test out for each credit. CLEP tests are what they're called here.

I know a lady from Norway and another from Denmark that got several credits that way. But they were majoring in Business.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have average 12-15 credits a semester. I split my classes up giving my self two science classes with labs and two other classes such as eng or psych in each semester. I really reccommend doing this so you don't get overloaded, for me to get A's in my science classes I had to spend a lot of time on them, even though I really love science it is time consuming with all the memorizing you must do. I was working two nights a week while doing this last year, but this year I am not working and it is much easier. I must say taking that load last year, for me, gave me absolutely no life at all...it was work, sleep, study...but I got all A's so it was worth it...if your heart and passion is into getting your work done then you will get it done. =) Without working this year it has been much easier although still takes up the majority of my time...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

also I wanted to point out that I do not have any children, just a long term partner and a needy doggie =) I think if I had kids I would have taken 3/4 to 1/2 of the credit load to be able to do well and have a life with the kid =)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I once received this excellent advice: its much easier to add to, than to take away. I would keep it lighter your first semester, then see how that goes. Sounds like you have really got your ducks in a row! Good Luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion