Prereqs Help (Microbio/A&P)

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Apr 27, 2014

While I'm currently taking AP2 and Microbiology at the same time (along with Nutritional Science and Life Cycle Development), and glad I did so (though it is extremely hard), I would not recommend taking them both in the summer. While you could take Microbiology with AP1, since AP1 provides a foundation for AP2 and Microbiology, you might be struggling. Even so, I would either take Microbiology in the fall (after AP2 in the summer) or take it with AP1 knowing it will be harder without the full AP1 foundation. If you did go that route, then drop medical terminology (possibly taking it with AP2 in the summer).

Thank you.

summerskiss88 · Apr 27, 2014

I agree with pmabraham! I also have the option of taking short summer AP and Microbio courses, but I think I'll get better grades taking them over a 16 week period.

neld257 · Apr 27, 2014

I agree with pmabraham. Taking Micro and AP2 together in the summer will be extremely hard. I took AP2 and Micro together this past fall, and did very well in both, after killing AP1 with nearly all 100s on exams in the Spring. My adviser told me not to consider taking AP2 and Micro together unless you get an A in AP1. Both AP1 and AP2 are difficult courses because of the sheer load of content that you need to learn. You are essentially learning the anatomy and physiology of the entire human body in 2 semesters. I spent a minimum of 2 hours per night studying for both AP classes during a normal semester length. When I began to make my prerequisite schedule I, like you, tried to squeeze everything in to get done quickly. However, as I progressed through the courses I began to realize that it is much more important to take the classes at a pace where you can actually learn and retain the information in AP and Micro because they provide the foundation for all of your nursing classes. Good luck with whatever you decide!

ALIwillbeRN · Apr 27, 2014

Hi

1- If medical term. Is not required then don't take it, focus on your required classes and get good grades in it( at least B) you you can get you a spot in the program, I took medical term. And didn't help that much.

2- my advice is don't do A&P II with microbiology ever, you might end up with good grades but it's going to be time consuming and you going to end up so so exhausted.

This is just my opinion, I just finished my all pre req. and got accepted in the fall 2014 program

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Apr 27, 2014

I wouldn't do both A&P and Micro together in the summer. They are shortened semesters and all the info you'd learn in a full semester is slammed into the shorter semester. Could be a receipe for disaster. As well, I'm assuming both have a lab component. Not easy.

another thought I had..if at all possible take the Med Term class before your sciences. I had many classmates struggle with words and their meanings because they had no background in healthcare/medicine or the terminology. I was an LPN when I was taking those classes and my knowledge base of med term helped greatly.

Sizzline · Apr 27, 2014

I would also not recommend taking A&P2 and Micro in the same semester, especially condensed over the summer. Micro builds a lot off of things I learned in A&P2; I'd definitely be having a tougher time with the content if I didn't have that background already. They are both heavily learning-intensive.

RunBabyRN · Apr 27, 2014

I'm with these guys. I took micro over the summer alone, and it was overwhelming (though doable). I couldn't imagine trying to take ANYTHING, let alone A&P, at the same time.

PNW0212 · Apr 27, 2014

Well, looking at your schedule, I would suggest cutting back on some. Although 2-3 classes seems really simple, sciences with labs are demanding. It's better to take a longer time finishing prerequisites and get close to 4.0's instead of getting them done sooner with a C or B's. Good luck!

amberdawn85 · Apr 27, 2014

I think you'll be fine if you are determined. I believe there is no reason to baby yourself through pre-reqs and then be crazy shocked when you get into nursing school. Learn how to handle the stress and tone management now.

nandosport · Apr 28, 2014

I took physiology and microbiology together this past semester (spring 2014) along with pathophysiology, stats, and abnormal psychology. Grades come out next week, but I'm certain (from keeping track of my grades) that I have A's in all of my classes besides stats. I might have a B in stats :-(. If you don't have a heavy work schedule or other time consuming activity, then it's 100% possible. I just don't know if I would take them in the summer because my micro class consisted of lecture 3x a week with lab 2x a week. That's a lot to squeeze into a shortened semester. I'd move the micro in with A&P I. I'd take medical terminology with Bio I. And then I would take A&P II over the summer. But like amberdawn85 said: the schedule doesn't matter as long as you're determined.