Taking science classes while nursing school?

LeavingTeaching4RN · Dec 10, 2008

imho, noooo!!!

the first semester in my program was the most challenging. if you wish to complete the chem class prior to graduating, consider taking it during the summer if you have a break. my program has an 8 week break during the first summer and i completed a 6 wk micro course.

good luck with your decision and in your program.

MrsBradyMom · Dec 10, 2008

I would say no as well. Even though 10 credit hours doesn't appear to be full-time on paper, it actually is much more than that. Between lecture & clinical time (which was counted in my 10 credit fund.) I spent 32 hours at the actual lecture/clinical site. This did NOT include practicing of check off in skills lab, which added anywhere from 3-8 hours per week. So in reality, I was gone for almost 40 hours/week.

Another thing to consider is how long are your science classes good for? Will you achieve every degree you want in that time frame? Some colleges only take science classes for the previous 3-7 years.

Good luck to you!

Panthyr · Dec 10, 2008

I'm taking a 4 credit science course with my 10 hours of nursing courses even as we speak. I have not had much trouble with it, as long as I keep up on the assignments and studying required. I always come home and do my review, assignments, on the day they were assigned and in that way I keep up with everything. It takes time management skills, but it can definitely be done. It also depends on how good you are with sciences, and how comfortable you are with taking science courses. Me, for instance, I love Biology but it takes me hours to "get" Chemistry, so while I wouldn't hesitate to take Biology with nursing courses, I wouldn't do Chemistry. That's a personal thing though, you may be better with Chemistry than Biology, or uncomfortable/comfortable with both.

Music in My Heart · Dec 10, 2008

I recently got accepted to an ADN program and start nursing school Feb' 2009. I am a CNA already and since I know some of the basic nursing (maybe thats still overestimating). I want to take General Chemistry II on top of my 10 unit Fundamental Nursing (this includes pharmacology).
My main goal is to be a "mid-level practitioner" and both NP (UCLA/UCI) and PA programs I am looking at require this class. Is it a ood idea to do it on the first semester? Has any1 done this or have advice?

My recommendation is not to do it first semester. Wait until you get a sense of the time commitment required by your program and your teachers. Once you get your feet wet you'll be in a better position to judge your capacity to take on the additional work.

Since you're intending to go on, your grades are very important. Personally, I wouldn't risk overloading yourself first semester and putting your long-term goals at risk. I found third semester to have the most extra time that would enable taking other classes.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Dec 10, 2008

Girls in my class are taking chem or other sciences along with the nursing program and PASSING both classes. It can be done. Wouldn't recommend it, but its not impossible. But ofcourse people don't recommend going to school and working full time, but that's what I got to do to make it. It all depends on what kind of student you are. People told be not to take AP 2 over eight weeks in the summer... well I did and got an A. So you really have to look at yourself and circumstances to see if you are able to pull it off. Some people can and some people need to take it seperatly(spelling)to pass. Good luck.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Dec 10, 2008

Girls in my class are taking chem or other sciences along with the nursing program and PASSING both classes. It can be done. Wouldn't recommend it, but its not impossible. But ofcourse people don't recommend going to school and working full time, but that's what I got to do to make it. It all depends on what kind of student you are. People told be not to take AP 2 over eight weeks in the summer... well I did and got an A. So you really have to look at yourself and circumstances to see if you are able to pull it off. Some people can and some people need to take it seperatly(spelling)to pass. Good luck.

Thing is, if you are planning on grad school, you need to maintain and protect your high GPA. Passing, as you referred to above should not be the goal.

Panthyr · Dec 10, 2008

Thing is, if you are planning on grad school, you need to maintain and protect your high GPA. Passing, as you referred to above should not be the goal.

It's true, but it's not necessarily impossible to protect your GPA and take a science course in addition to nursing.

In fact, I guess I broke all of these guidelines since I'm taking my science course along with my first semester of nursing school, Fundamentals, and my GPA is 4.0...

:-)

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Dec 10, 2008

It's true, but it's not necessarily impossible to protect your GPA and take a science course in addition to nursing.
In fact, I guess I broke all of these guidelines since I'm taking my science course along with my first semester of nursing school, Fundamentals, and my GPA is 4.0...
:-)

I agree. Next semester I'm taking 19 credits, and my GPA will remain intact. I was discussing the "passing" comment.

Music in My Heart · Dec 11, 2008

It's true, but it's not necessarily impossible to protect your GPA and take a science course in addition to nursing.

To me it's not a question of possibility but rather a question of probability. Of course it's possible. As to the probability, only the OP can answer that question.

Holding off 'til 2nd semester is the higher probability approach.