Science classes

dorkypanda · May 26, 2016

A huge majority of science courses you mentioned are quite course load heavy. It is really important to do well in those courses. you'll need to spend plenty of time studying and each course you should expect to study a lot. I think it's doable if you are really determined and focused despite all the workload going on. It's going to be a lot of back to back hw for you but you really need to concentrate.

Applejack · May 26, 2016

Ty for the response. I feel like I'm determined - I also just quit my job to put all my time and energy into my schoolwork and feel that was a good step that can only benefit me. We shall see :)

cobbigirl · May 26, 2016

I've taken A & P I and II, both in an 8 week format, and I'm currently taking Microbiology. Being organized and studying daily has helped me a great deal. Hope this helps!

Applejack · May 26, 2016

How are you doing in the classes? It helps just to know I'm not alone and the only one who feels intimidated by these courses or has at least been in my shoes. I have my days where I think really positive about it all,and I am looking forward to the experience and learning something new, but sometimes I just feel a little overwhelmed :)

My boyfriend is really supportive and encouraging - he keeps suggesting that I may actually enjoy them and they won't be has bad/difficult as I anticipate them to be. We shall see! How many more classes do you to complete before you can apply?

gere7404, BSN, RN · May 26, 2016

Do they have prereqs? Most of the more advanced science courses like A&P and Micro required that you take general biology before it. A lot of concepts that are discussed, especially in micro and the physiology component of A&P are based in the concepts you learn in regular biology.

Applejack · May 26, 2016

No, I have to take my Math before I can take the science classes but that's it. They way I have it laid out in the original post is how the adviser said it should be taken, then I can apply.

I got pregnant with my first when I was 15 so I ended up dropping out of school and getting my GED. I have absolutely no previous science coursework in my past which is what I feel contributes to a lot of my fear of grasping any of it and failing. I love learning, and I am excited to learn something new but I still can't help to feel intimidated a little.

gere7404, BSN, RN · May 26, 2016

Might want to take biology as an elective if your program has a requirement for electives, to help get a feel for how the lab works and develop study habits for science classes beforehand.

kdub1985, BSN, RN · May 27, 2016

Hello Applejack. I wasn't going to comment on this post but then you said you had your child at 15. I also had my daughter at 15 and on Monday she turned 15. It has not been easy but we have survived. I am currently a career changer and have decided to finally pursue nursing. I have been going to school for the past year and a half now and I am almost done with my pre-requisites. This last semester I took four classes to include A&P I, Statistics, Life Span and Development and Literature. I work full time as a Business Analyst at Samsung and I managed a 4.0 for the semester. It was very tough but I made a decision to make school my main focus and priority (other than my daughter) and I was able to do it. I hope that my story helps you. You most definitely can do this if you put in the time and effort. Also, I took Chemistry and Biology together and they both had labs on top of other classes last Fall. I will be applying to nursing school with a 4.0 in my sciences as long as my next two classes go smoothly. Again, you'll do great! I hope to hear some updates from you in the future!

justgonnagoforit · May 27, 2016

I took those classes first, well the A&P's anyway. They were hard but I took copious amounts of notes and I also downloaded a recorder app for my phone and recorded all the lectures and replayed them at home when it was quite and I think that really helped a lot.

I don't know about where you want to go for your RN but some community collages will let you get by with high school chemistry and I got to take that online and it was FREE!! What a life saver! So check all that out too. :)

Cass0416 · Jun 9, 2016

I will also be starting my prereq sciences for my local nursing program in the spring. I just changed majors from Human Services(I was 75% complete with that before changing). I basically just have the sciences left, but because they weren't required for my previous plan I am starting from the bottom. The prereqs FOR the prereqs for my school are BIO 112 (with lab) and CHM 113 (with lab). I can't do the A&P or Microbiology classes without those so I'm doing those this fall, along with a couple of other classes that count towards the nursing prereqs like Lifespan Development. I'm not worried about those because I've had the instructor and know how his classes are structured, but I am worried about the sciences.

I'm a good student with a high GPA, but I would be lying if I said I didn't have the same concerns as you with taking two courses and their corresponding labs.

I don't have any advice but we are in the same boat girl. We'll get through it!

crazydoglady89 · Jun 9, 2016

I'm a financial analyst (NO science background) currently taking my pre reqs while working more than FT hours and volunteering. If I can do it you can do it. I'm not especially gifted other than the fact I can read fast!

If I can do it you can do it.

I've considered quitting my job, but I've been able to maintain A's. My social life has dwindled other than to some weekend outings for a few hours, but I just couldn't resist continuing to pad the 401k and savings until I give it up for over 2 years!

Good luck. Don't be scared. I had no science background either. It DOES take some getting used to, but by the time AP1 was over I was feeling much more confident. Don't be discouraged if it takes you several attempts to "get" something. I find that with A&P, it just "clicks" all at once (or sometimes, not at all LOL).