Somebody push me down the right road!

[EyesForward]

I have growing concerns about my upcoming first semester in the program this Jan. I had finally convinced my family we'd all be OK with me in nursing school, right up until registration night, when I realized taking Microbiology along with the nursing curriculum was my only option. I'd planned on taking it over the summer, but now they've decided it's a co-requisite, and must be completed in the first semester. When I told my husband I'd be gone two nights/wk. it flipped him over the rail. Now everyone from friends to my MIL are telling me to take Pharm and Micro in Jan., and wait until fall to start the nursing program. There's no guarantee I'd get in again in the fall if I back out. I don't WANT to back out! But, I want to be successful too! I'm confused, and need some realistic advice about whether or not my load, with Micro will be too much, both in terms of being a successful student, and a family person. We knew there'd be sacrifices...I worked so hard to make the cut off date for my nursing application this fall, and I can't believe I'm considering anything except getting on with the program.

[KristinWW]

Originally posted by RNKittyKat

When did that happen? I'm taking micro right now. The nursing syllabus says nothing about taking micro as a co-requisite. There's another incoming Nursing I student in my micro class. I hate to tell you but I think you got some bogus information. If that were true, when I registered, my schedule would have not allowed me to save it. Every other incoming student I know has also either taken micro already, or is taking it now. Micro is a pretty time-demanding course. It doesn't make sense why anyone would recommend it as a co-requisite. To give you some idea of what my micro class is like( I have Johnson), besides the lecture, there are group assignments with completion of every unit and preparation of concept maps with each unit. She also requires a flow chart of the day's lab experiments before we can even get into the classroom and there are bi-weekly quizzes. Our final exam is a group presentation on a particular microbe. The material didn't get too complicated for me until we got to the immunology unit a couple weeks ago. After this unit, it gets easier again.

Nursing school is going to require an adjustment by your family, no matter what. Be lovingly clear about what's expected of them toward you, and let them know what they can reasonably expect of you. What you are doing will benefit the whole family. The time will go by quickly.

On the other hand, it might be better for you to take micro and pharmacology in the Spring and have those out of the way. They are both courses that, in their own rights, will take up a great deal of time. It has been done before, but there will be a good deal of sacrifice to take pharm and micro together with nursing I. You are going to need your family to be very understanding and supportive. They basically have to say "see you in 16 weeks", and be fairly ok with it. So do you.

Kitty, I have Johnson for lab, not lecture, in the Spring. My nursing classes begin in Jan too and it was the only lab that fit my schedule. Concept maps, bi-weekly quizzez, and presentation that you mention are for lab, lecture, or both? I have Konopecki for lecture :) Thanks!!

[KristinWW]

Originally posted by EyesForward

I have growing concerns about my upcoming first semester in the program this Jan. I had finally convinced my family we'd all be OK with me in nursing school, right up until registration night, when I realized taking Microbiology along with the nursing curriculum was my only option. I'd planned on taking it over the summer, but now they've decided it's a co-requisite, and must be completed in the first semester. When I told my husband I'd be gone two nights/wk. it flipped him over the rail. Now everyone from friends to my MIL are telling me to take Pharm and Micro in Jan., and wait until fall to start the nursing program. There's no guarantee I'd get in again in the fall if I back out. I don't WANT to back out! But, I want to be successful too! I'm confused, and need some realistic advice about whether or not my load, with Micro will be too much, both in terms of being a successful student, and a family person. We knew there'd be sacrifices...I worked so hard to make the cut off date for my nursing application this fall, and I can't believe I'm considering anything except getting on with the program.

Wendy, you can do it! I question myself as well, and wonder how I'll possible make it thru an accelerated program with two small children and working pt. Others have done it, and you will succeed too!!! Weren't you the one in Colombo's online A&P II? Hey, if you made it thru there, you'll make it.

Do NOT take the chance that there will be a seat for you later! My hubby does the same thing with school - I always said, "weren't you listening??" I began sending follow-up emails to him as well as we are so occupied with the kids in the evenings it's hard to discuss. Works wonders :)

[renerian, BSN, RN]

Well I guess I was lucky. My hubby had to put up with me working 5 to 6 days a week and being in school 4 to 5 nights per week, non stop.

I am not sure why your hubby cannot deal with it? Maybe you need to find out why?

Good luck,

renerian