School Questions for recent grads

ilstu99 · Apr 5, 2008

Hi Everyone! I am new to the forum and would like some input. I am currently on the LPN waiting list at my tech college. I will be able to start my nursing classes/clinicals in the Fall 2009 and have an option to merge into the RN program immediately after my first year. Therefore, I plan to take A&P I in the Summer, A&P II in the Fall, Microbiology in Spring 2009 and Pharmacology in the Summer 2009.
So my questions are:
In your experience, did the students who took only the actual nursing classes while in the program do better than the students who had not completed their pre-reqs and had to take them at the same time?
Also, for the RN's, was the first year harder than the second year, or vice versa, or were they equally difficult?
On average, how many hours per week were you required study (or prepare), outside of class and clinicals, in order to make good grades?
Thank you in advance!
:redbeatheMarie:redbeathe

If the class stucture is anything like ours, taking A&P over the summer will be a huge load. I hope it's the only thing on your plate. :) You need to really have it down, or the rest of your nursing classes will be much harder.

My experience about scheduling was that everyone is different. People often took on too much, and either their grades suffered....or their personal life suffered....or their health suffered. No one can probably answer the "what's the best option" for your life, you know? It depends on whether or not you have a family, a job, etc.

IMO, the schedule presented with gen ed classes plus RN classes is ridiculous. I don't know how someone finds enough hours in the week just to fit in the class time + clinicals + labs + patient write-ups. Our A&P's were 5 mornings a week, so in order to fit in a clinical, you'd have to choose an evening or Saturday section. So then you'd have to do your patient paperwork the night before (before or after studying for A&P) and pray that your patient was still there.

My senior year was the most difficult. CCN was VERY hard. I had to go back to A&P and pull some of that stuff way out of the back of my brain. I spent 35-38 hours a week in class/lab/clinical/paperwork time my last semester. I spent another 20-30 hours per week in reading/studying/research. I gave up on 4.0 pretty early on. Good = passing. Passing made me VERY happy!

Welcome.

MelBel · Apr 5, 2008

In your experience, did the students who took only the actual nursing classes while in the program do better than the students who had not completed their pre-reqs and had to take them at the same time?
:redbeatheMarie:redbeathe

Short answer...everyone is different.

I completed my entire RN in 2 years, doing nursing and gen eds at the same time. I worked full-time during the second year (part-time the first), and actually managed to have a LITTLE bit of a social life. (I also wasn't doing it with a husband or kids!)

I knew of a student who took 4 years to complete the program, and didn't work at all during it. (No family either)

We both ended up with about the same grades.

It really depends how much you can handle. I was used to a very busy schedule from before I started...I had worked and gone to school and done extracurricular activities since I was in middle school. But some people need to focus only on school...you need to answer that for yourself! (Sorry not much help!)

I gave up on 4.0 pretty early on. Good = passing. Passing made me VERY happy!

I agree. And I was a straight-A student before nursing. :) Nursing school is an excellent ego-check.

qt2168 · Apr 5, 2008

The students who had to take pre reqs with the classes DEFINITLY had it harder. I know three girls that failed one of the classes they were taking because between clinicals, nursing class, and the pre req they just were over loaded. HIGHLY suggest getting your pre reqs over with before getting into nursing classes!

For me 1st year was the hardest becuase it was SO new and diffrent and I didnt know what they expected or what I could do or if I should do anyone, but by the second year I had a study group, could fly through a care map and could give baths like it was a breeze.

I studied about 2 hours after class and a lil before the tests and this worked awsome for me. I was not stressed out like other people (some would come crying to the test even before we started it) and I was able to retain more.

Hope this help!

New nurse ~ and lovin it! :heartbeat

AprilRNhere · Apr 5, 2008

What I noticed in school- different semesters were hard for each student. Looking back..first semester was EASY stuff. BUT- because nursing's way of thinking was SO new..it was VERY hard for me. Others in my program struggled through critical care semester- many had to retake it. Another HATED peds..so she struggled. It's very individualized.

I took physiology and microbiology the summer after I started my RN program. It was manageable..but HARD. Stay focused and you can make it through no matter how the schedule works out. If you're on a waiting list though...why not take more pre-reqs if you can?

november17, ASN, RN · Apr 5, 2008

I honestly wouldn't take any other classes during clinicals. I tried taking an economics class during my clinicals and ended up having to drop it...I actually tried that 2 semesters in a row. Having the summer off was a blessing and a breather, not time for more classwork. Think of the summer off as your last "free" summer ever. Plus you'll have employment opportunities as an extern that you may want to take advantage of. After you graduate, you won't have time to yourself like that again. I know the urge to get school over with and become a nurse is strong, but take care of yourself now. You'll have more than a mouthful of nursing soon enough!!