Stuck !

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OK, I'm hoping someone here can offer me a bit of advice.:)

I graduated from high school at 16 and began taking my pre-reqs for nursing at 17.

I have only been taking three classes a semester, so now I have 4 classes left for this year, until I can apply for nursing. I have a couple questions ...

1. I'm thinking of taking Micro and Chemistry at the same time next semester... is that a bad idea?

2. The school I attend offers a 2 month phlebotomy course and 12 week cna course and here is where I am stuck. Should I just finish off this year (my four classes) and apply for nursing next year or should I take one of these courses so I can have the experience and a job (I need a job) while I'm in school? If I were to take these courses that would mean putting of two of my pre-reqs until I finish the course.

I know I could just take all four of my classes now, but here is the problem with that... the classes I have left are A&P 2, Micro, chem, and psych. So there is no way I can take all those sciences at once.

Also I know that some schools offer points for taking classes such as medical terminology and pharm, are there any others that would better my chances of getting in? My gpa is a 3.7

Any advice would be appreciated

and btw, I just turned 18 :yeah:(:

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At my school you can take the CNA exam after one semester of nursing school. Maybe yours has the same policy and you could just skip the CNA classes?

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1. i'm thinking of taking micro and chemistry at the same time next semester... is that a bad idea? no

2. the school i attend offers a 2 month phlebotomy course and 12 week cna course and here is where i am stuck. should i just finish off this year (my four classes) and apply for nursing next year or should i take one of these courses so i can have the experience and a job (i need a job) while i'm in school? if i were to take these courses that would mean putting of two of my pre-reqs until i finish the course. i don't know about the phlebotomy but in my state, a 12 week cna course would meet one day a week all day or twice/three times a week for a half day. that leaves space in the schedule for other classes... chemistry ideally if your school offers enough sections that you can pick one with timing that doesn't conflict. assuming the chemistry has a lab component, this will make about the equivelent of what you've been doing.

you could do the psych also, if you can fit schedules in or if you can do it on line or study on your own and clep it. or you could do it with the a&p in the spring. i think fall is better because you'll be able to use your cna in the spring instead of a third class. or you could do most of the prep for clepping it in the fall and finish up in the spring. oh, check that your school will accept clep credit for that class, schools vary on that. some will have a list of accepted classes others; will accept only so many credits.

that leaves a&p 2 and micro for spring. you said you wanted to do chem and micro together, but i assume that is only because you want the chem before the a&p.

also i know that some schools offer points for taking classes such as medical terminology and pharm, are there any others that would better my chances of getting in? you really need to check with your school about that but there are other classes that help at some schools. i've seen schools that prefered logic and/or critical thinking or ethics (found under philosophy sections usually), others that looked for nat sci or biology classes in general, others that have lists of prefered classes. generally, i think working as a cna would give you more help getting in at most nursing schools than any of these classes including med term and pharm.

:up: on your gpa. :)

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I'm taking chem and advanced physio this semester along with 2 other classes, so i think you'll be ok doing micro and chem! also wanted to say Kudos on getting a head start after high school!!! i graduated early as well and will be starting the program as a 19 year old and graduating at 20! Good luck with everything! :)

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Saysfaa- Thank you! Your post was very helpful!

Arianna91-The thought of chem alone makes me uneasy:uhoh3: Lol, but I am going to end up taking it with micro... and Good luck to you too(:

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Specializes in Critical Care, Clinical Documentation Specialist.

Welcome to AN, PJE22,

I just thought I would pop in and say hi. My daughter just turned 16 and is in her 2nd semester of college classes. Like you, she is only taking a few classes at a time (I don't want her to take on too many and sacrifice her GPA). I want to commend you on getting a head start on things. Just curious, we're you home schooled?

I don't think you will have any problems with micro and chem together. Micro was my favorite class and I didn't want to stop when the semester was over! lol To be honest, chem was a little rough for my old brain, but I was still able to pull off an A. I'm taking Biochem this semester, so we will see just how much fun this class will be, ugh.

And, I would suggest applying to NS right away. If you get in great, if not, then you can take those other classes. My first NS I applied to didn't require a CNA class, but the second one I am applying to does. I am only taking it because it is a pre-req, not because I plan on using it to get any experience at this point. It all depends on the school or the area you are in, some schools require you to have experience to make you competitive.

Anyway, good luck with school... you're on the right path!! Keep up the good work!

~SD

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