Should I take Chem, API, and Micro in same semester?

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I am just starting my prereq's...and was wondering if I am totally insane to try to take Chem, Micro and API in the same semester..why would I consider something this crazy?..because If I complete all of my pre classes before Sept.09 I would be entered into a PRIORITY admission to my community colleges "ACCLERATED 13 month RN program." The only way I can make that deadline is to take CHEM, MICRO and API together in Spring and then take APII, STATS and SOCI I in SUMMER

I am 42 years old, my kids are at the end of HS and are very independant and supportive. I am not working and don't have to work for two years, my husband is great...so, I don't have pressures that most people have....HOWEVER, I have not been in school for 20 years. I do have a BS in Public Policy and my GPA was always around a 3.5....BUT I never took MATH classes beyond a C in Algebra, and I only took BIOL 101....I do love human body stuff and nutrition and am excited about A&P and MICRO...but I am dreading CHEM and STATs because it is not my strong suit...math is scary for me.

SO, should I just relax take the classes and go for good solid A's in my classes or try to cram these classes in as short a period as possible to get the GPA EDGE for getting a seat in this competitive program? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated

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I did it last spring and yes, it was hard but like you I wanted to be able to apply to an accelerated program. If you are committed, you can definitely do it. You will have some very late nights studying and will miss out on some social things at times, but if it is what you want then you will make it happen. I then took A&PII in the summer...then stats and nutrition this past fall. I personally think it will be harder to take A&PII and stats together in the summer than Chem, Micro, and A&PI this spring. I'd recommend trying to CLEP out of Sociology...I've heard it's an easy one.

I also had a previous BS with a 3.5...obviously you know how to study and do well in college. It had been about 15 years since I was a student and I actually find school easier now. I'm starting the ABSN program in about 10 days. Yikes!

Good luck to you, you can do it!!

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I think you know you best. I know personally I couldn't handle that, but hey GO FOR IT!!!

If priority admission is what you really want, I think you should. And if for some reason its not working out you can always lighten the load and try again. I admire you for even thinking about it!;)

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Dear Lord! Micro and chemistry at the same time? My worst nightmare!

However, I know people who have done it and done well (and actually enjoyed it!), but I could never be one of them. I took micro last summer. It was the only class I took and it kicked my fanny! I got an A, but never could have if I had other classes to study for at the same time.

CLEPping sociology sounds like a brilliant plan.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

only you know yourself. personally, i would not. science took a great chunk of my time and sanity away, and taking more than one a semester would have been suicide to me. if you decide to, just keep in mind that in many cases for nursing school, it is not only passing that is enough...it may be passing with high grades...nothing less than b+ (and the other courses had better be as).

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I think it sounds like you have a plan :yeah: I had a girl in Micro class this past semester who was taking A&P I&II plus Micro and worked. She is married and they don't have any kids yet. She made A's in all three classes. So I think you can do it. Especially like you said your kids are older and more independent and supportive. The girl I mentioned above literally said all the time her social life was totally on hold and there were some tough weeks for her like when she would have tests in every subject in the same week....but thank goodness that only happened twice I think.

I say go for it and get yourself in for the fall :yeah:

Good luck to you!!

Heather

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I, personally, wouldn't. My main concern would be the risk. What's going to happen if the plan doesn't go perfectly? There are some amazing stories here about educational accomplishments, but keep in mind we tend not to hear from people who crash and burn because of bad grades.

As you've read, It sure is possible though. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

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Specializes in nursing student.

WOW! That's a whole lot of sciences at one time. If you think you are capable, do it. It would make me really nervous though.

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Personally, I think your nuts, LOL! :D

Are you working? If you're not working and have independent children, I think you can do it. It's been done before! It's all a matter of other things that compromise your time, the sciences are extremely time consuming and require dedicated study time. As previously states, kiss your social life GOODBYE! With work and younger children, I would not be able to do it.

Best of luck to you! :redbeathe

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Don't those courses have pre-reqs to take before taking them? I can't find one school here in my State that don't require pre-reqs for AP and Micro (chem is always a pre-req for AP here). Which is making my attempts to bang out my few remaining pre-reqs a difficult one.

Even if I wanted to (and I would NEVER even attempt it) I couldn't take all 3 of those courses all at once in the same semester.

I know that I can't take Chem unless Eng and college level math is taken

Can't take AP1 unless Eng, Chem and gen college bio is taken

Can't take Micro until Eng, chem and gen college bio is taken.

If math is scarey for you, I'd not suggest attempting to take Chem without some sort of refresher for Intermediate Algebra.

I think the only person who can really decide is you. But I personally would never attempt it. It would be a disaster waiting to happen for me, and add to that, I know my grades wouldn't be as high if taken together as they would be if I took them seperately. I want my GPA as high as it can be when i do apply to the nursing schools. I wish you the best.

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Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.

I know that at the community college I took my pre-reqs they wanted you to have at least A&PI before I taking Micro. Have you made sure you can take them both at the same time?

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

If math is a weak point for you I would advise against this plan.

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