Very Discourgaged

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Good Afternoon,

I met with an advisor this morning to go over the plan of action for taking my pre- reqs. I am not a happy camper this morning. It's been 18 years since I was in school and my math scores were not that great when I took the College Entrance Exam. I have to take algebra pep course before I can take Intermediate algebra which is one of the pre- req.

After reviewing all of my co-req & pre -req and the nursing program itself I am looking at 5 years before I can be a Nurse. :bluecry1:

I am a 42 single mother that works full time. This is really discouraging that it will take me that long. I feel stuck and my life is on hold. I was hoping 3 years the most. I desperatly need a life and salary change! I don't know if I should move forward or not. I am currently an Admin Assistant and not really trained to do anything else. I am feeling very very frustrated and hopeless :banghead:

Anyway if I do decide to move forward not sure what I should do with these math classes. I have 2 options before I can take the Intermediate Algebra (pre-req)

A. I can take "fundamentals in Algrebra" then "Basic Algebra with Lab"

I can not take them in the same semester.

B. Or I can take Integrated Basic Algebra and Arithmetic

This is a combination of the 2 classes in option A.

Advisor is suggesting I take option A if I am not that strong in Math. I always had difficulty with percentages and fractions but I am a fast learner. I loved Algebra when I was in school, but it's so long ago I forgot the formulas but it will come back once I get started.

I prefer to take option B, less time and money plus I don't have time to waste but I don't want to get in over my head and can't pass the class. Does anyone have any experience with these classes.

Sorry for the long post. :crying2:

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It seems like a LOONG time away... but that time is going to come no matter what. So just get on it bc time doesn't stop. If this is what you really want to do, go for it! There are also (aside from the traditional 16 week semester) summer, mini-terms, second start, 8-week courses (during the traditional term). Also, almost every class is offered on-line now! I am working full time right now as admin. asst. as well. I am currently taking 13 hours (all on-line) and I love it!!!!!! I think if it wasn't for the online option I would have not been able to finish quick. There are so many options... with a supportive hubby, family, and my LORD I think I will be starting my nursing program in AUGUST! Where theres a will theres a way!

Let us know what you decide on.

Erica

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Specializes in Triage, Trauma, Ambulatory Care.

I know it is not what you want to hear, but I would agree with your advisor. If you are not totally comfortable with fractions and percentages then you need the extra refresher of option A.

Option B would not be any faster or cheaper if you received a lower grade and had to re-take the class.

I am speaking from experience. I just had to buckle down and take a lower level class of mathematics to brush up for intermediate algebra. It was the best choice I could have made. I don't think I would have done nearly as well if I had gone straight into the class.

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Is there a way you could see the book for both courses? Maybe if you were able to skim through it and check out the table of contents, it would jog your memory a little and maybe you would know just from that which course would be better for you to take.

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Specializes in ER/Ortho.

I went through the same thing, and believe me the semesters go fast. I also had to take the pre algebra's. If your not strong at math I would suggest you take them seperately. I am good at fractions, and %, but still found algebra difficult. Just think if it this way ....next year you will be a year old so you might as well be a year closer to your dream.

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Thanks for the suggestions. I have to sleep and pray over this. I am not thinking clearly at this time. 5 years keeps ringing in my head, and that is considering I go to spring, summer and fall semester at 2 classes each. As suggested maybe they have online courses and I will be able to take more in a semester, I didn't think of that.

Hopefully I feel better tomorrow.

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There is no way you can take a placement exam?...for example they give you an exam to take and if you do really good you can go right to Algebra?

I was in a similiar situation than you..not with math. I graduated with my BA in psy and I decided I didnt want to further my education in psy and wanted to purse an RN. So this was around January '07 I heard about this Accelorated BSN program that some colleges offer. So when i foudn out they start in May i said great I can get in in a few months. But then i scrolled down and saw all the pre-reqs I had to take BEFORE entering the program. My face dropped and i said...i have to wait 14 months. So what I did was i registered for my first pre-req (AP1) and in Jan'07 and i just kept taking them and as of right now I will be done with my last pre-reqs and I will be going to Rutgers this May.

The moral of the story is, that 15 months absolutely flew for me. So what I would advise you to do is if yoru heart is really into nursing and you really want to be a nurse and care for people, than dont let anything stop you. Map out exactly waht you have to do and do it. Write your goals and the obstacles you have to overcome to accomplish your goal. Take as many classes as soon as you can. Maybe you can get done in 3 or 4 years which is a lot better than 5.

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Here's another option One that personally worked for me. Go to Amazon.com and get the book algebra for dummies and the workbook that goes with it. Study... study... study... for about a month, then go back and take the placement test. by teaching yourself you should be able to bump up to the next level of class and by-pass a whole semster of classes. Then with only having to take one class the time frame for getting into the program will be cut down.

I hope this helps you it sure did for me:yeah:

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Specializes in CNA.

I know you may not want to hear it but..thinkabout my situation,, I started in Algebra 065 .. l(ike a pre algebra developmental )and have worked my way up to Algebra 150 (College level) ..with out that developmental class I would never have made and I really still struggle with fractions when they are involved in difficult equations! You really wont want to start higher and realize you are in over your head as that may slow you down more in the long run...

I am so sorry you are facing such a long wait though ..that is a little too drawn out!

Best of luck with whatever you decide ...and it WILL go fast !

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My advice to you is to look to see if you can CLEP out of any classes that you need to take. They have a CLEP for Psychology, Human Growth & Development, Sociology and Algebra to name a few. If you pass the CLEP test for Algebra you will not have to take a pre-algebra course. You would just get the CLEP study guide and basically teach yourself. You then can save a lot of money and time.

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duplicate post - computer problem

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I would have to agree with the last post. Try and CLEP out of as many classes as you can. It not only will save time but also money. I tried this with college alg. and missed it by 10 questions. I decided to take the intermediate alg. online and passed with an A my first semster of school. This past summer, I took College Algebra and with the help of another classmate and a website that I found online, I earned another A. These are hard classes but can also be very fun-I looked at it as a puzzle and I had to get the outside frame done before working on the full picture. Honestly, if I can pull A's in both of these classes-anyone can as long as you put your mind to it. Good luck and go for the gold!!!

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