Prereq difficulty equivalent to nursing classes?

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I've heard that many of the prerequisite classes for nursing are foundational, but also a form of "weeding out" those who don't have the study skills/critical thinking skills/stamina for the actual nursing program.

I guess my question is this: are the prereqs we take like anatomy, microbiology and pharmacology on par with the level of difficulty of actual nursing classes, or are they a walk in the park in comparison?

I'm busting my butt in my anatomy class right now and getting an excellent grade, but it has been an eye opener to me as far as just how much effort these classes take. So, how would you rate the difficulty of the preparation courses in comparison to the difficulty of your nursing program?

:studyowl:

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Specializes in LTC.

Most of your prereq classes are memory classes, especially anatomy. You study the material, memorize it and test on what you've memorized. When you get into the nursing classes, you will be required to use critical thinking. There is no way to memorize the info that you will be tested on. I personally found the memorization classes to be a little easier but once you get thru the first semester of nursing classes and have mastered the art of critical thinking, the second semester will be much easier.

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I worked really hard to pass my sciences, but found the nursing classes were easier, even tho I worked hard with them as well. I think it boils down to what kind of thinker and learner you are. Strict memorization just doesn't cut it in the nursing classes like it does in the science stuff.

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Specializes in medical, telemetry, IMC.

for me, the difficulty was about the same.

but, i took the 5 prereq classes over 2 semesters, and i actually had a life back then and more than enough time to study.

during our second semester of nursing school, we had clinicals tuesday, wednesday and thursday (0640 - 1615) and school on monday (0800 - 1700) and friday (0800 - 1300). so we had care plans due and a test nearly every monday and every friday. so i had a whole lot less time to study. but i still did fine and maintained my 4.0 gpa with a lot of sleep deprivation.

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Specializes in ER.
for me, the difficulty was about the same.

but, i took the 5 prereq classes over 2 semesters, and i actually had a life back then and more than enough time to study.

during our second semester of nursing school, we had clinicals tuesday, wednesday and thursday (0640 - 1615) and school on monday (0800 - 1700) and friday (0800 - 1300). so we had care plans due and a test nearly every monday and every friday. so i had a whole lot less time to study. but i still did fine and maintained my 4.0 gpa with a lot of sleep deprivation.

this is similar to what i did. i took all of those "fun" science courses before entering the nursing program:) although i found the science and other support courses requiring of memorization skills, nursing courses are completely different. i feel like i need to dedicate atleast some time to studying everyday. with my science courses, i felt like i could take a day off here and there.

t

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Specializes in Public Health.

For me nursing classes haven't necessarily been more difficult, but more time consuming. I did very well in all my pre-reqs without actually having to study everyday. With my pre-reqs we rarely had homework. They measured our learning on quizzes and tests. In nursing school, I have to study everyday because there's so much to do. Between lectures, clinical prep, clinicals, post clinical work, studying for tests, etc... I stay very busy. I have to keep up on everything, there is no time to play catch-up because there is always something that has to be turned in.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Call Center RN.

I agree with the above poster. I was on the President's Honor Roll through pre-req's. Come time for actual nursing classes I was glad for my B's and C's. It takes a lot more time and a lot more reading. I had two young kids, and last semester found I was pregnant. I still was a housewife as well. It was hard and unfortunately I did not get to read as much as I should have. But I passed boards so I'mhappy.

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My first reaction was to say that the nursing classes were much harder. When I really thought about it though, I don't think it's that the actual content is harder. It's just that the material is thrown at you so fast. It's hard sometimes to keep up with all the reading and studying every night because you never know when they're going to hit you with a pop quiz. You really have to stay on top of everything and never think that you are going to cram before a test because it just doesn't work that way. At least it doesn't if you want to make an A. Add the clinical paperwork in and all of the busy work that they give you and yeah, you pretty much don't have a life anymore!

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