Thoughts on taking Microbiology in Fall with first semester Nursing courses?

Published

I am hoping some of you experienced nursing students can help me make a decision. after this semester, the only thing I have left to take is my microbiology. I had planned on taking it over the summer, but since all I have left are my nursing classes, I wondered if it would be so bad to just add that to one of the classes I'll be taking fall semester, along with Clinicals. I haven't had my orientation yet for my program, that is supposed to happen in April . I am going for my ADN. In looking at the program sequence it looks like I only have 2 classes to take, that first semester, Health Deviations I and Community/Home Nursing. don't know when Clinicals will be.

I will not be working fulltime when I start the program in the fall. I wanted to test it out and see if I could possibly get a part time job just to keep some income flowing in so it isn't as difficult a transition for my family.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would suggest you take micro before the last two nursing classes...only because micro has a lab with it that requires just as much time studying and preparing for as the lecture.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If it is your first semester of nursing classes...that micro experience will be your best friend

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I took micro with my first semester. It was tough. All I did was study. The second half of the semester I was about to break. Mainly because my micro teacher had us do a crazy amount of work. If you do take micro use rate my professor to make sure you don't get one that over loads you with work. I actually spent more time doing micro work because of all the lab reports.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Take it in the summer when all you have to worry about is micro. Nursing school will take up your time and energy. If you havent started those yet, the micro experience will be a good foundation for nursing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Let me reanswer. I tell my classmates that taking micro during first semester of ns was one of my biggest scholastic mistakes. I am glad I survived both. First semester is challenging enough with out taking a science with a lab. Even if you are great at science. With clinicals and every thing else they throw at you at ns school it's a time management thing as well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I didn't mind taking it with my first semester of nusing courses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Honestly, I wouldn't do it. Take it before or in the summer between nursing semesters. The first semester is like boot camp and being hazed all at once. Make things as easy on yourself as possible. Eh, easy isn't the right word. Make things less difficult on yourself.......more appropriate.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the thoughts! I think I will go ahead and take micro in the summer. I am hoping to quit my job early in the summer so my kids get some "summer fun" and a less structured summer that they're used to. So a micro class wouldn't be too bad.

runsalot - I love rate my professor. However with our courses at the college, they don't post who the instructor is until about 2-3 weeks before classes begin...by then you have already registered for classes and my case have already paid. Like this current semester, I was told by another prof that was subbing for my instructor last semester that he taught APII on saturdays. So I pick the class, all set and he had RAVE reviews on rate my professor....only to find out after I was registered and all other classes locked out...that I had a different professor! I was so upset. This guy has so-so reviews and is highly unorganized!! :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED.

I took micro my first semester of nursing school, and I was also working 40 hours a week. It was doable for me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

My first semester of nursing school was last semester. I planned to take micro in the evening and just get it over with. Right before the semester started, I dropped it (cold feet or something). Thank god I did! My semester with just nursing school was so tough, I cannot even imagine it with micro. I have added a little class this semester, but that's because I feel more prepared. I'm taking micro this summer with the lab, which is 5 credit hours. I'm happy with my decision.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think it's up to your own level of organization and how much sleep you need and how you let anxiety affect you as to what is do-able for you. For me, first semester would have SUCKED even more if I'd loaded micro into it. The nursing school culture is something you don't understand until you are dropped into the middle of it with the crowd of other frenzied student nurses around you making it feel that much worse. :) If you can safely take the micro over the summer, you'll have that much less to worry about later.

On the other hand, I'm doing micro now (in my second semester) and since I'm used to the course load in my nursing program and used to the craziness all around me, I'm probably going to be able to pull it off all right. You know, probably. It is a LOT to do while you are also expected to produce quite a lot from your program courses, but again, that's something you'd know better about yourself than we do. How organized can you be and how much stress can you handle and for how long can you expect to handle it? Personally, I am counting the weeks. I can do anything for one semester. Six weeks down and ten to go.

Good luck.:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion