Taking 20 credit hours?

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I will be taking 12 credits for my first semester this fall, then tack on 8 more credit hours (becomes a total of 20) for my second semester of college for this spring which will consist of:

Anatomy and Physiology 1

Microbiology

Psych 101

English 102

General Chemistry

World History 1500s

(I've been preregistered for all these classes for the spring already; I just made it official today.)

Now after seeing how my schedule will be looking like for next spring do you guys think it's possible and doable if I dedicate myself to only school and nothing else? I also plan on taking 7 more credit hours next summer + my CNA class which I already put down a payment to save my spot for next year since they go so quickly.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Oncology.

So, if I'm interpreting this correctly, you're saying that you're only really taking 12 at a time, then 8, then 7? Definitely doable. I managed a job and 17 credit hours last semester and came out with straight A's, so I'm sure you can make it happen :)

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Forgot to mention that the reason I am trying to take so many classes at once is because at my college all freshmans are classified as general students and are not allowed to to declare a major yet until our 2nd semester of sophomore year unless you are a direct entry nursing student (which I am not). Therefore, I will have to get as many of prerequisites done before I can start the nursing program in fall of 2016.

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So, if I'm interpreting this correctly, you're saying that you're only really taking 12 at a time, then 8, then 7? Definitely doable. I managed a job and 17 credit hours last semester and came out with straight A's, so I'm sure you can make it happen

I wish. No, I will be taking 12 credits first this semster then 20 for the spring, and 7 for the summer of 2016.

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Specializes in Oncology (OCN).

If I'm understanding you correctly you're asking if you can handle taking 20 hours in the Spring semester? Is that correct? A&P I, Micro, Chem, Psych, Eng II, & Hist. 20 hours at once is crazy and 3 lab sciences at once is insane! Not saying it can't be done but it really depends on what kind of student you are, how disciplined you are, and whether or not you plan on having a life outside of school/studying. Keep in mind that getting into many nursing schools is highly competitive and based largely on GPA. You don't want to shoot yourself in the foot so to speak by overloading yourself to the point that you cannot keep your grades up. Like I said--not saying you cannot do it--you are the best one to answer that. I took 18 one semester and managed to make straight A's while commuting 1 1/2 hours each way to school and back. But I have an incredibly supportive family and my husband and kids were incredibly understanding. (And I lived on very little sleep.)

ETA--just saw your clarification. I thought I understood it correctly that you were asking about 20 hours. Best of luck to you if you decide to embark on this endeavor. You're a brave soul!

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

20 credits is a very big load. Usually the max is 18. Did you get special permission for this?

Any reason your not taking 15 and 17, or 16 and 16?

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20 credits is a very big load. Usually the max is 18. Did you get special permission for this?*

Any reason your not taking 15 and 17, or 16 and 16

At my school 22 credits is the max with a consent form from the Dean of Students. I can only take 12 credits my first semester because I won't be able to quit my job until the beginning of December and it's the only way I can pay for my first semester of schooling. But once I quit it, I want to go all out on getting all my pre-reqs done before next July. I know it's a big load but if I am willing to sacrifice my life to make it happen do you personally think it's doable?

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

My last semester of BSN was 21 hours, 9 of them made of two classes with clinicals and another 8 of two grad level electives (I was eligible for 50% off tuition on those classes and just couldn't resist the bite). It is doable for a dedicated student with good time management skills... although I would say it is highly desirable not to have any family or anybody else to take care about while doing that.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

I think it's probably doable, but I think you should try not to do it if you can avoid it.

Check to see if your school has a winter intersession online where you could knock out the psych class, the history class and/or maybe eng 102.

Just taking micro, chem, and AP1 will be a lot of work.

Also, what are you taking fall semester? You are going to get an idea about what 12 credits is like, but if you don't have any labs scheduled, It won't be a good predictor for you.

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Also, what are you taking fall semester? You are going to get an idea about what 12 credits is like, but if you don't have any labs scheduled, It won't be a good predictor for you.

I wanted to take Gen Chen but all freshmans are required to take a first semester math class, and the other 3 courses I'm taking this year is all reading and writing based so those don't count... So you think I should do pysch 101, 102 and A&p1 and not micro?

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It's doable. I took 22 credits with permission and that included genetics and molecular biology. The key is to stay organized. If you're not organized then it's a disaster waiting to happen. Good luck! :)

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Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.

No way can you do that and still get decent grades! Even if you do not have a job u will be fried from all the work and low GPA will not get you into the nursing program!

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