Retaking undergrad courses vs. taking graduate level courses

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Feb 24, 2013

Hmm...you can CLEP A&P I & II and Micro through testing. I did this as a requirement for my BSN program through Excelsior College. I would check to see what schools accept EC or go through CLEP (College Level Examination Programs). HTH!!

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Feb 24, 2013

My "young and dumb" days are finally catching up to me...
I'll save you all the gory details and just get to the point:
A&PI- B
A&PII- C
Microbiology- C
All were taken 2004-2005ish. There are other *blemishes* on my transcript (Quite a few withdrawals, F in English comp II, D in College Algebra... both of which I retook the next semester and got Bs in:crying2:). Got my head on straight in 2006 and finished with a 3.9 for my BSN (once accepted into nursing school) and 3.5 overall.
So my question is as stated in the subject. Should I retake these subpar classes? Or should I take graduate level courses? Traditional classroom setting or online? I realize that the B in A&PI isn't tragic, but thought it would be helpful as an overall picture.
ANY advice would be greatly appreciated. :)

you could call and ask your prospective school. I wouldn't worry about micro so much. you could take grad level phys and also go take undergrad gen chem, o-chem, and biochem if you haven't had it yet. they seem to like taking new classes/new fields over retaking old stuff they expect u to have down pat.

good luck

Jaelle625 · Feb 24, 2013

Thank you for the feedback! I took general Chem I and ochem in undergrad and got As in both. Would you suggest taking general chem II (it wasn't required for undergrad so I didn't take it then)?

Jaelle625 · Feb 24, 2013

I have seen many people suggest calling schools to see what they recommend. Is it better to call with a bunch of questions, or would they allow me to schedule a meeting in person? Either would suffice for me. I just didn't want to call and start rapid firing questions if most would prefer face-to-face interactions. Thanks again!!

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Feb 25, 2013

I have seen many people suggest calling schools to see what they recommend. Is it better to call with a bunch of questions or would they allow me to schedule a meeting in person? Either would suffice for me. I just didn't want to call and start rapid firing questions if most would prefer face-to-face interactions. Thanks again!![/quote']
Try to see if they have a way for you to interview them, where you can go over their requirements, etc. As well as look on the college's website. I suggest you do both, because curriculums change as well as requirements. I think they would welcome a face-to-face as well.

naptime14 · Feb 25, 2013

JennRN- I was in the same boat as you in my undergrad. I ended up taking a grad level pathophys and some other grad level courses. I didn't waste my time with re-taking undergrad courses. I think if the potential schools you are looking at see that you can excel in grad classes, it should out-weigh classes you took at 18/19 years old. I am now into my 7th month of CRNA school and getting along great in my classes.

Jaelle625 · Feb 26, 2013

You guys are great! Thanks for the advice! There's a CRNA school near me that let's you take advanced patho and suggests taking a research class that's required for their program.

Rd: What graduate classes did you take besides patho? I'm glad you're doing well!! Which school are you at?

Jaelle625 · Feb 28, 2013

Rd, I sent you a pm but its not showing up in my "sent" folder. Let me know if you didn't get it.

naptime14 · Feb 28, 2013

Hi, I got both of them. I replied back. I think you have to click some sort of box to save the mail that you send. But it worked!!

ahSICURN · Mar 4, 2013

Right now I am half way through my spring semester of two undergrad science courses (also to make up for science blemishes early on my transcript)… For me, as I am sure for many, cost is a huge concern. Nurse Anesthesia school is going to be expensive and when I reviewed the cost of graduate-level classes where I live ($3K per class), versus taking undergraduate classes at a local community college, I was able to take 7 undergraduate credits of sciences for less than half the cost of one graduate level class in my area. I plan to take one graduate level science course this summer after I have finished my undergrad one because for me, this is the most cost-effective route, while still saving for school. I will likely consider taking another grad level class in the fall if I don't yet have any leads on acceptance to a program. For me, it's been almost 10 years since I took these courses, a refresher has really helped boost my confidence and I know I will be better prepared for the demands of school. I've also spoken with a couple of department heads about my early science grades and they have assured me I am on the right path with this plan. There are multiple people here on this forum like us, who didn't go to nursing school with the intent to become Nurse Anesthetists, and didn't understand the importance of some of the first grades we ever achieved during our college experience. I can think of one who will be attending VCU this year, the #1 program in the country after a tremendous amount of hard work to fix her early science grades (woo hoo missnurse01!!!!). It's all about what is best for you, in every aspect. Reach out to the programs you are interested in and hopefully, those of us who are working hard to prove our worthiness as applicants for this amazing profession will gain acceptance letters this year. Good luck!! We can do it!

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Mar 4, 2013

Sicu u remember me! I wasnt fixing grades tho, just taking sciences I hadn't taken since high school!

I totally agree with cost. Even to audit a grad level class it was massive money. Since I don't need to gix my gpa and I am looking for a review I watch phys on khan academy and am taking phys thru coursera. Still plan on taking vcu's medicinal chem and mammalian phys. Guess I need to get cracking!