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

katetastical · Mar 24, 2011

I'm taking 14 credits this semester: A&P 1, Chemistry, and my CNA course (which is required by the schools I want to go to). This summer, I'll be taking 8, and next semester about 10 (last semester of pre reqs/co reqs!!). 14 is very doable. I also work about 16 hours a week, have two puppies and a live-in boyfriend. I have A's in all of my classes. Luckily, I have a job that allows me to do homework and study while working, so I get a lot of my studying done then. The rest, I fit in.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 24, 2011

I take fifteen credit hours per quarter. On the quarter system, the average student takes an average of three to four classes.

This past quarter, I took three five-hour classes, including Chemistry 102 and an English course. This quarter, I will be taking Human Anatomy, History of Western Civilizations, and an upper level Mandarin-Chinese course.

Then, over the summer, I plan on taking two science courses, human nutrition and microbiology. By then, I would have been accepted into the program. I might add on human development, making it a total of thirteen credit hours for summer quarter.

Ruh-Roh · Mar 24, 2011

My situation is A&P 1, Honors Organic Chem, Cultural Anthropolgy & then Sociology. I think 16 credits total? Two sciences is tough, I did it last semester too with Gen Chem & Bio. I work 3-4 shifts a week bartending which can suck sometimes during exam weeks.

Before that I was on a year and a half hiatus from school to accept an Assistant GM position at the restaurant I was at following a horrible semester at UIC from working 45 hour weeks during an 18 credit hour semester. My family got hit hard financially and it was my time to step up and help out.

Lesson learned school-wise though. I failed a few classes which was enough grounds for dismissal despite not being on any academic probation and having good standing prior to.

Last fall I pulled straight A's my first semester back in Community College and was recommended by a professor into the Honors Program and earned President's Scholars (our Deans List)

Despite this, I'm at around a 2.2 cumulative GPA, which I know sucks. I am hoping and praying to rock the entrance exam for our schools CNA course so I can get an A in an 8 credit course this summer and start getting field experience. I am a good test-taker, my ACT was a 27 without prep-courses so hopefully my NLN will help me out because as of now I can't see any school taking me with my record as stained as it is.

This is my first post here so forgive the length and pleasure meeting you all!

tattedmommy · Mar 24, 2011

It depends on how you learn and other factors such as work, kids, etc. Generally, plan on about 3 hours per unit per week of study time for As. If this is your first time in college I'd recommend not cramming the first semester so you can see how you handle it. Some people thrive on full schedules with high demand while others need a more lesser load.

Currently I'm taking 14 units (bio, chem, math, and psy) and I'm maxed out for me. I spend about 50 hours per week either at class or doing school work. Life outside of school? What's that? But I also need a little more time with math and chem (because its a lot of math) than my fellow classmates. Nursing program admission is competitive so cramming your schedule containing classes not needed can take away points from the classes that you do need. Summer classes are condensed so 6 units usually equals 12 (full-time) from a normal semester. Next semester I plan to take 12 units (A&P, another psy, computers, and humanities).

One last note, A&P is tough. I strategically placed classes that are easier for me into the semester that I will take A&P. I did not do that this semester with the math and chem and regret it. But overall I'm doing well pulling 4 As.

noelle0910 · Mar 26, 2011

I took 16 - 19 credits each semester simply because I wanted to finish my prereqs as sson as I could. The amount of time I studied depended on the class. I didn't really have to study hard for ethics but for A and P 1&2 and Micro I studied about 12-15 hours per week.

NCRNMDM, ASN, RN · Mar 26, 2011

I just got accepted into the fall 2011 nursing program, and I am finishing my ADN prerequisites during this semester, and will be taking some BSN prerequisite classes this summer. My first semester, I took Anatomy and Physiology I, Intro to Psychology, College Success and Study Skills, and World Civilizations. Over the summer, I took Anatomy and Physiology II and Abnormal Psychology. This semester, I am taking Microbiology, Humanities 2, Developmental Psychology, and English 111. This summer I am taking English 113, Intro to Sociology, Intro to World Religions, and A Philosophical Approach to Ethics. In August of 2011, I will start the ADN program at my college, I can't wait!

kristiesin · Mar 26, 2011

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!?

Surviving math is a good way to put it at times.

I took the College Math placement cold. I wanted a very accurate view of where I was. I was a little disappointed in my results, but sucked it up and took a couple of refresher courses. I am now placed into Intermediate Algebra and am so happy I did it this way. I feel like a have a much more solid grasp of the math I will need when it comes to NS and am much more confident in my math abilities than I ever was in high school or my first college experience. It will help you also to get through your science classes as well.

I would check with your school to see if they have a math tutoring center or resource center. See if they have a "skills refresher" course you can take. If they have free resources for math help, be there with bells on as much as your schedule allows.

My last math prof helped me a great deal by explaining things and saying that some concepts just need practice..as in do the problem, do another problem, then do them ad-nauseam until you can do it without thinking about it.

I have really surprised myself in that when I started back to college last fall, I DREADED math.. and now, I am actually EXCITED about my intermediate Algebra class.. HUH? Who would have thought?

It just takes practice and a little effort, you can do it, and you will succeed!

hakisak · Mar 26, 2011

Last semester I took 12 credit hours: English 101, History 102, Medical Terminology, and Psychology 201. This semester I am taking 18 credit hours: Basic Anatomy and Physiology (lecture and lab), English 102, Math 105, Introduction to Computers, Psychology 203 (Human Growth and Development).

This summer I am taking 9 credit hours: Anatomy and Physiology I and Math 120. This fall I am taking 8 credit hours: Anatomy and Physiology II and Microbiology.

This December I will finally be done with all of my pre-reqs and ready to start the nursing classes and clinicals in January of 2012.

I also work part-time as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) at CVS/Pharmacy. This is usually no more than 20 to 24 hours per week. I must admit that this semester working + school is starting to put a toll on myself and my level of sanity, lol.

kristiesin · Mar 26, 2011

I forgot to add what my course load is Spring Quarter (Starting Monday)

17 Credits...

Phlebotomy, Algebra and Psych 100

Can't Wait!!!