prereqs

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Hey guys, I'm graduating with my bachelor's degree this year, and decided last year that I wanted to be a nurse. I worked A&P 1 and Physics into my fall schedule to get into an accelerated BSN program after graduation, but after starting these classes I realized I just did not have enough time with my other writing intensive courses. I ultimately ended up withdrawing from them and have been discouraged ever since.

One more thing, my A&P class was at a University and we had to learn the terms strictly from the book; of course we had lab, but it wasn't near long enough to go over much. For practical, we were supposed to know the anatomy of a cat, cadaver, and model, but didn't know which one would be on the practical. Do you think I just overwhelmed myself with too many classes? Does this a&p class seem unrealistic? I plan on taking my prereqs one class at a time after graduation, and also online. If anyone has any online experiences, let me know!

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Specializes in ICU.

Yes, you have to know whether it is from a cat, model, or cadaver on a test. That is part of anatomy. You get to dissect the animals but we have cadaver pics on power point that we must also know. I don't know how many classes you are taking this semester so I can't judge but I have 5 right now and am doing well. Nursing school itself is a whole other ball of wax so I would get prepared for heavy loads now.

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Oh, I know nursing school is tough. I was just a bit thrown off that we learned nothing about anatomy in class (no powerpoints, nothing). My school also had lab and class separated, so you could have a different teacher for lab and class. On the first day of lab, multiple kids said that it was their second time giving that class a go.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

What nursing school requires physics?

A&P is a very demanding course. I think you're doing the right thing by making sure you are able to commit the time needed. Lab practicals are no joke, it's a LOT of info you're requires to know.

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Trinity college of nursing. I decided I wanted to be a nurse last spring, and took gen. chem 1, german, and human growth & development this past summer. I wanted to do the accelerated program so bad, but I think I will just finish my degree, and then go from there. I have to admit though, I don't think I could have done physics regardless if it were my only class!

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Specializes in ICU.

Yes, I also have a different lecture professor and lab professor. I really like it that way though. Mine is a 4 hour class so it breaks it up for me. Next semester I have Physiology 201 and our lab and lecture are on two different days. I get why some people take 1 class a semester to try and get straight A's because nursing school is competitive. I just think when they actually get accepted into nursing school they will have a difficult adjustment. I know for me, I would rather go in full force and have the study habits going instead of being surprised and overwhelmed the first week of nursing school.

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That might be true Heather. I understand nursing school is going to be difficult; I really think anxiety got to me when I thought about graduating with my current degree, though! When you're paying $10,000 a semester, you sure want to make sure you graduate on time. I don't know, I just felt that my other classes were being pushed to the side while I was studying for my nursing prereqs, and I wanted to make sure I kept my GPA up, and most importantly... GRADUATE.

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I agree at this point the MOST important thing is you graduating with as high of a GPA as you can get. After you graduate, get your prereqs at a community college. This will be so much less expensive! You have been going to college full time, so you pretty much know how to juggle. There is no reason you can't take full semesters of prereqs and get them out of the way. Not sure what you have left to do, but 14-16 hrs at a community college per semester is completely doable if you are focused and committed. Just balance your courses so that you can make the best grades possible.

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Thanks. I only have A&P 1, A&P 2, and microbiology to take, so I'm planning on taking them throughout next year and starting NS the following fall. I just feel anxious because I'm scared I won't be able to do it. I don't know if I just took these classes at the wrong time, or if I'm not capable :/ I know I could get a job with my degree, but I just don't think sitting at a desk all day is going to fulfill me... UGH, life is confusing at times!

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What degree is the one you're finishing? Is it science related? I'm asking Because nursing has a lot of science, maybe you can pally some of the science courses you've already taken.

A&P is a hard course but make sure you find it interesting because if not maybe you won't like nursing.

Good luck

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My degree is in management/marketing. I do find A&P interesting, I just wanted to make sure that I had enough time to actually LEARN it, and not just get by. From what I hear, a strong base of A&P is important for nursing school. The program I want to get into has a plan of study where you can take all of the science classes at the same time as your nursing classes— but I think it would be best to get them out of the way and strictly focus on nursing. Does that make sense?

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