Taking 1 Class At A Time

General E. Speaking, RN, RN · Nov 1, 2006

Where there is a will, there is a way. I have been taking 2 classes a semester since 2003- some online, some in person. I have a 3.8 GPA. I took summer's off to spend time with my family and feel "normal" for a while. You have to do what's right for you. It sounds like you have it figured out. People approach the pre-req's in different ways. I work with someone who took 4 classes while working full-time as an LVN. Of course, she wasn't married and had no children. She did it but her GPA slipped. Sometimes, I feel like I have been in school forever and I really get sick of hearing, "Are you still in school? When are you going to be done?" However, with each class completed I gain a little more satisfaction knowing that I am one step closer to my goal. Good luck!

P.S. Remember the tortoise and the hare?

slou! · Nov 1, 2006

I am currently a full-time student. But, if I had to work full time or if I had kids and a family, I would NOT be able to work full time, and probably take 1 or 2 classes! I think if this fits your needs, and it seems like it is working (congrats on your A!) then why not?! It seems like it is working out for you so I would rather do that rather than taking too many classes and not having the time for it.

lisabeth · Nov 1, 2006

I have just taken 2 classes per semester, and it has worked out really good. I am applying in January, so if I had taken any more per semester than I have, I would have had to take either classes which wouldnt have benefitted me or taken a semster off. I took a few classes that were required 20 years ago, so that got those out of the way.

Good luck to you.

tofutti · Nov 1, 2006

RNwantaB,

High five sister! I've been taking one class at a time since January 2003! What's that, almost four years now?

Like you I was in no hurry and it hasn't been in my kids' best interest to have me gone fulltime at school just yet--lthough I am chomping at the bit now.

This approach was best for me and allowed me to get all A's and know the material inside out, backwards and forwards.

I'm concerned that my a&p is 3 years old now, but I also took it twenty years ago, so it's in my brain. And like I said, taking it slow allowed me to learn it rock solid. So I don't think memory will be a problem.

But if I don't get in this spring, I may go postal from waiting so long! If you hear a primal scream across the nation, that would be me getting postponed for some reason. :jester:

I have met others in my classes who are doing it this way for various reasons too.

Keep up the good work!

Tofutti

tigress_8207, ASN, BSN · Nov 1, 2006

Hi i too took one class at a time for three years.Am finishing up now with my last two exams in january.Hope to get into ns in september.Hope things work out for you.

catzy5 · Nov 1, 2006

I started my pre-reqs in August & plan on taking one class at a time, and as much on-line as possible.
My "goal" is to have all pre-reqs done so I can apply for Nursing School as early as Fall 09, but no later than Fall '10.
I have two kids (6 & 2), have an in-home daycare where I have kids 50 hours a week, plus my husband works crazy hours/days...
Anyone else taken this approach? If so, did you feel as if it was taking forever? Or did you savor having the time & opportunity to get the best possible grade you could for that One class each semester? I know it is very competitive to get in to the program here locally....I'm thinking that even if it takes me 3 or 4 years to finish pre-reqs, it will be worth it.
I'm taking Algerbra right now & currently have a 98 in it with about 6 weeks left...Next semester I will be taking Int. Algebra....Not sure what I'll take over the summer....

Hi RNwantaBE,

Welcome!

Yes I have been doing just what you mentioned I even started with the same classes LOL. I am 38 years old and started with one class intro to Algebra in 2004. The spring Semester is my last semester of pre reqs I am now taking 2 sciences together, I have small kids and my husband is gone all week. I try to work my school and study around my kids school schedule. My estimated goal for nursing school is spring of 08. I try not to look at the "BIG Picute" I have gotten overwhelmed in the past and took a semester off. I realized though that the time goes by regardless so i might as well be doing something that I really want to do no matter how slow I am going. Now I try to focus on smaller goals taking each semester as it comes.

Good luck!

Catherine

catzy5 · Nov 1, 2006

RNwantaB,
High five sister! I've been taking one class at a time since January 2003! What's that, almost four years now?
Like you I was in no hurry and it hasn't been in my kids' best interest to have me gone fulltime at school just yet--lthough I am chomping at the bit now.
This approach was best for me and allowed me to get all A's and know the material inside out, backwards and forwards.
I'm concerned that my a&p is 3 years old now, but I also took it twenty years ago, so it's in my brain. And like I said, taking it slow allowed me to learn it rock solid. So I don't think memory will be a problem.
But if I don't get in this spring, I may go postal from waiting so long! If you hear a primal scream across the nation, that would be me getting postponed for some reason.
I have met others in my classes who are doing it this way for various reasons too.
Keep up the good work!
Tofutti

Ahhh Tofutti I feel your pain!

Good luck on your application let us know how it goes!!

collegebound · Nov 1, 2006

I took (am taking) two classes a semester. It has worked out really well for me so far. What I am scared of though, is not being able to balance school and home next semester in NS. Our first semester is full time (I think 12-15hrs cant remember) so I am VERY nervous about how it will work out. Especially since I have been baby-stepping it until now!!

AZmom · Nov 2, 2006

I've got 2.5 weeks of Chem left and will start A&PI in about 1.5 weeks. Other than that little bit of overlap I'm taking courses one at a time, all online. I should finish up mid-summer, unless I decide to double up or overlap A&PII and Micro.

I don't feel like it'll take forever, but then I only had the four biggies to go due to transfer credits. I will say that one at a time is a realistic plan for me. I feel it doesn't much get in the way of my family obligations.

I am nervous that I'll be in for shellshock once I get into the program. Full courseload (and then some) plus it'll be classroom learning, which I'm not used to. I'm hoping to take a classroom based Psych course while waitlisted; maybe that'll get me a little used to it.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Nov 2, 2006

Hey it took me 12 years to graduate!! (started at 17 1/2 finished at 29) One thing to ascertain from your school would be the time frame that classes remain "good." Fortunately at my school it was 10 years. My daughter's was only 5 though and she has to repeat some.

Hnebun · Nov 2, 2006

I am doing the one-a-semester route...started with Music last Spring, then Develpmental Psych over the summer...in Sociology now and planning on English Comp/Speech this Spring.

The only draw backs I can see are [1] how long the classes are good for and[2] financial aid might not pay if you arent taking at least 12 credit hours a semester...since I am doing pre-reqs early, I can't qualify because I will only be taking the Nursing stuff and thats only 10 hours total/semester.

HELLO FELLOW SLOWPOKES!

RN in 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!