prerequisites and working

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2007

I work full-time as an LVN while attending school full-time at my local community college. While I have dropped a handful of classes over the past few semesters, my grade point average is a 3.85 with 31 credit hours completed up to this date. I typically take between 12 and 17 credit hours per semester.

I work full-time weekend double shifts, which enables me to have Monday through Friday off all the time. I work two 16 hour shifts on Saturday and Sunday, and am paid for a 40 hour work week. Also, I have no spouse or children.

emileth · Aug 10, 2007

To do really well, (make an A in the class) while I was working full time and taking care of a family (I have 3 children, a husband, and 3 dogs) I could only take one class a semester (a 3 hour class).

Once I quit my job (read=laid off), I have been able to take 2 classes at once and make A's, and this semester I am trying for 3!

Hope that helps!

Kensington · Aug 11, 2007

I really think it depends on how demanding your job is (do you get off right on time?), how well you study (I get easily distracted), and which classes you are taking. If you were taking anatomy, physio, or micro, I would be careful not to take more than one of those paired with perhaps an online class that was on the easier side, like developmental psych. That way, you only have to physically go into class once/week, but still get two classes done. Otherwise, I would only take one science per semester or two non-science courses.

I'm taking anatomy (in class two nights/week) and abnormal psych (online) this semester, so we'll see how it goes! :)

faithful11 · Aug 11, 2007

I really think it depends on how demanding your job is (do you get off right on time?), how well you study (I get easily distracted), and which classes you are taking. If you were taking anatomy, physio, or micro, I would be careful not to take more than one of those paired with perhaps an online class that was on the easier side, like developmental psych. That way, you only have to physically go into class once/week, but still get two classes done. Otherwise, I would only take one science per semester or two non-science courses.
I'm taking anatomy (in class two nights/week) and abnormal psych (online) this semester, so we'll see how it goes! :)

This is exactly what I am doing---taking AP @ the college on M/W and taking developmental psych online. 2 birds w/one stone kinda. I don't need developmental psych as a pre-req, but I am taking it to be AHEAD since it is required to get the degree at the end.

I work fulltime at the state forensic psych hospital--am shift 0630-1500, and go to school 1650-1751(lecture) and 1800-2120 (lab) on mondays and wednesdays. Good thing is that I am off work Sun/Mon and my supervisor and nursing coordinator will MORE than work with me on my schedule. Hard part is that I have 2 kids.

Kensington · Aug 13, 2007

This is exactly what I am doing---taking AP @ the college on M/W and taking developmental psych online. 2 birds w/one stone kinda. I don't need developmental psych as a pre-req, but I am taking it to be AHEAD since it is required to get the degree at the end.
I work fulltime at the state forensic psych hospital--am shift 0630-1500, and go to school 1650-1751(lecture) and 1800-2120 (lab) on mondays and wednesdays. Good thing is that I am off work Sun/Mon and my supervisor and nursing coordinator will MORE than work with me on my schedule. Hard part is that I have 2 kids.

Well good luck to you! Classes start next week for me, so I'm bracing myself! We'll do great, right? So many times I just wish so much that I didn't have to work and that I could just knock these classes out in one semester . . .

LMRN10 · Aug 13, 2007

I took 2 classes at a time (even through the summer). I do what I can to balance everything. I just make sure that my school isn't taking up too much time...I work over 40 hours a week and have a 2 year old at home. I know if I start Nursing in the Spring, my main focus will be school, but my #1 priority is my daughter and her needs...always! Things will certainly change and my DH will be taking care of her more come Nursing classes.

I just do what I can as far as the house goes...try to clean while my daughter is eating...that sort of thing. Just try to be creative to make it all work.

Again, once Nursing starts, I think this will all change! But with the pre-req's, I didn't have too many issues with balancing everything.

Good luck to you!

Mommycakers · Aug 14, 2007

I mainly take one class a semester. I did just take Anatomy I and II each in a 6 week summer session and did great. It is all time management. You have to find what works for you. I do not work right now but I have 4 young kids. I mainly study at night or I wake up early before the kids. I tape notes and listen to them while I do other things around the house.

Maybe try to see if you can take any of your classes on-line. You might also be able to clep out of some of them. That will save you time and money. One class for me is $380 per credit hour. The clep test is $65. I am going to clep out of general psychology this Fall and I just saw in the clep paperwork that they have a clep test for Human Growth and Development. You just have to check with your school first to make sure they accept that in place of the class. I need to call my school to see if they accept the Human Growth and Dev. clep test toward the Developmental Psychology class. If so, I then only have to take Microbiology and then I am done all my prerequisites. Yeah!! If not I will just take it on-line. Good Luck!!