Science ADVICE! Where to begin.....

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I need some advice before I begin Bio, Chem, Anatomy, and Micro. I am 28 yr old, currently enrolled at a community college. So far I have a 4.0 GPA. However I have not taken any science classes to this day. Reasoning being, I wanted to get back in the swing of things, (being out of school for the past 9 years) before I begin my science prerequisites for nursing school. The only classes I need, in order to get into our nursing program is Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy I & II and Microbiology. These classes are so overwhelming...thus, I wanted to ask, where do I begin? What can I do to prepare myself? Are there any books that I can begin reading before the spring semester? I haven't taken a science class since high school which was back in 2003. The past 10 years, I have been a district manager for a retail clothing company (Abercrombie & Fitch), please don't judge...medicine has always been a passion of mine, however I never thought I had "what it takes" to become a nurse, or even a doctor. In high school I never went above and beyond. I got A & B's and even a 30 on the ACT, without even trying. I never studied more than I needed to. To be completely honest, college just wasn't in the picture. Likewise, I got recruited to work at Abercrombie out of high-school, moved up the ranks pretty fast, which led to me living in England the past 2yrs to run their flagship store located in London. However, I never was truly happy. My thought and aspirations of pursuing a career in medicine, were always in the back of my mind. For the past 5 years I have read over 25 books on neurology, psychology, and physiology of the mind/brain connection. Thus, the reason why I want to one day become a surgical pediatric nurse specializing in neurology. Sorry to digress.....thought I'd share a little but of my background.

I would appreciate any advice I can get before I begin my science prerequisites. Books, study methods, youtube videos....anything would be helpful. Thank You!

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Specializes in IMCU, Oncology.

If I had to do it over again, I would take chemistry first! It will help make all the other sciences easier. I would take biology 2nd and then A&P I, II and micro.

I don't think you can do much to prepare other than to make sure you really study and work hard in the science classes. Read the text before class too. The science classes are important and all build on each other. Take them seriously, and you will do well!

Oh and if you have the ability to buy any of the additional resources that go along with the text like the online mastering chemistry/biology material, I highly suggest that!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Are you sure that you understand what nurses do? The 'specialty' you mentioned is nonsensical. Perioperative nurses (surgical) nurses may work in a pediatric-only environment, but the scope of practice is to assist the surgeon - either as a scrub nurse or circulator. Most of their exposure to the patient is during the period in which the patient is anesthetized. Neurology is a medical specialty - the surgical equivalent is "neurosurgery". Please take a bit more time to investigate the scope of nursing practice so you have a more accurate idea of our day-to-day work in order to avoid disappointment.

You may also want to look at other health care professions (that's how we refer to everyone because physicians are the only people who practice 'medicine'). If your interest is in 'mind body connection', you may be very disappointed in nursing as much of our work is devoted to physical care with very little time to counsel unless you're working in behavioral health or an outpatient setting. Have you taken a look at kinesiology? (Applied Kinesiology Home) It is a very holistic field that emphasizes mind/body principles.

At any rate - you'll have to slog through the same pre-requisites for any health care profession. I would suggest that you avoid overloading yourself. Take no more than 2 science courses at a time. Engage the services of a tutor if you have any problems. Keeping that high GPA is very important.

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Well, if you're reading physiology books for fun, I don't think you're going to have any issue at all with these classes.

Also, if you are taking these classes at a community college, none of them will be over 100 level or 200 level courses; that means they're all introductory. I don't mean that they'll be a cakewalk, I just mean that you'll be covering the basics and won't get too in depth with any of them.

Twishes already said exactly what I would have about the timing of the classes and purchasing extra materials. On top of that, ask the instructors if they primarily test from the books or from the lectures. Lots of instructors will use both, but you'd be surprised how many will tell you they only test over lecture material. Drawing pictures (even if you aren't an artist) and finding a study partner that you can "teach" are two study techniques that work well for me and might help you too.

Good luck!

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Specializes in IMCU, Oncology.

I disagree about doing well in science courses due to reading the OPs mentioned books. I can also say I have read probably the same amount of books that all touched on physiology, nutrition, the brain etc., but none really prepared me for a real science class. I knew some terminology already but that was about all.

College level science classes are totally different than the average book out there for the lay person to read.

However, if you are devoted to the time and energy in studying these classes, you will do fine.

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Review your algebra first. Most nursing schools require a chemistry class and most students fail because they can't do the math.

Before you start your bio classes, try to watch videos or read the concepts that are covered before hand.

It also helps to stay a chapter ahead and ask a tutor/professor to help you out when you are struggling early on.

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HouTx,

Actually there are programs for nurses specializing in neurology/neuroscience. My friend is a certified neuroscience registered nurse (CNRN). And I know another girl who is interviewing for a 1 year residency position on a neuro inpatient unit. My aunt who is a nurse herself has a friend that has been working nero ICU for the past 6 years. I know that neurology is a medical specialty, likewise one day, I hope to find a residency program so I can specialize in neuroscience, so that one day I could work on a neuro floor, neuroscience unit, or work with a Neurosurgeon. I appreciate your advice. As for Kinesiology, I have looked into it, but it doesn't suit me. Most Kinesiology majors want to get into exercise science, athletic training, or use it as declaring major for medical school, considering you have to take mostly all the pre-req's for medical school. I know some friends who are Kinesiology majors, for the sole purpose of getting into medical school one day. Take care and thank you again for the reply!

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TWishes,

thanks for the reply! In response to your post, I mainly read those books for pleasure. Not necessarily to prepare me for science classes. I simply just enjoy reading books on a variety of subjects that include neurological disorders, digestive disorders, and anything to do with the human body. Two of the very first books I read was Phantom in The Brain by V.S. Ramachandran and An Anthropologist on Mars by Oliver Sacks. Ever since....I was hooked! And I agree, textbooks are not your average book to read, nor are they intended to be read for pleasure. However, I have read more than 5 science textbooks, just for fun. Once again, I do enjoy reading about science and the human body. Thanks for the reply! Take care

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Really? You have a 4.0 and read medical books just for fun? You are going to do fine in the science classes. They are much easier when you have an interest in the material, and it sounds like you will. I would only recommend taking Biology before A&P and Microbiology. Good luck!

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Specializes in SCRN.

Definitely take chemistry first and microbiology last. Don't take A&P and micro together for the sake of your GPA. Finish ALL prerequisites before taking nursing classes. If you are going to enroll in chem class for spring, review math now. In my school if chem classes are older than 10 years, chem needs to be retaken, one regular bio class is also needed to get into A&P and micro. Yours might be different.

Also, wanted to say that once you get in nursing, you most likely will change where you want to work at least 3 times. Good luck!!

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I think your ACT score pretty much sums up the reasonable conclusion that you will do fine. Listen, I went back to school after 23 years. Went in cold and did just fine and so will you. I am not sure how many classes you are planning to take per semester, but I would advise you not to take more than two lab classes at one time just due to the amount of time spent in lab. I know in our labs we had quizzes every week on a ton of information (especially AP) so it is like having a test every week. Chemistry is just a lot of homework, which is time consuming. I took Chem and AP1 together and it was no problem. I didn't have to take Biology, but how hard could that be. I am thinking you may have to take it before AP? There may be an order that your school requires you take things so that may give you some guidance. I really think Micro would be an OK class to pair with an AP class. I didn't find it too hard and the labs didn't have as much info to memorize. However, we did have lab twice a week in there as you are culturing and then examining a few days later. You sound like a smart person, you will be fine in your prereqs however you do it.

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