I am going to start taking some of my re-requ's while I work full time, with hope of quitting and going full time into an ADN program in January 2005. I am going to take Chem 100 (intro to Chem) at a small Catholic school affiliated with a hospital. Next I'll take Anatomy and Physiology I. So, can anyone tell me if these courses will be killer? Or just what to expect? I know that things may vary from one school to another, but I would welcome you to share your experience.
I'm a mid-life career changer (I have an accounting degree) so it's been a LONG time since I've thought about school and I have no science background at all.
- The best thing for you to do at this point. Start getting focused - and form your plan of attack.
- For A&P or Chem (assuming 15 week class), you will need to devote 3 hours/day memorization time. This is in addition to any class time, note-rewriting time, or reading-time. This will get you an "A" in the course.
- The game in A&P is memorization, memorization, and finally, more memorization ...
- Chemistry has plenty of memorization ... but also requires problem solving skills - which you develop as you go through the course.
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- I would definitely purchase some study guides (A&P Made Easy by Barron's, etc.).
- Find the website for your book. Be absolutely sure to download the practice exams and outlines. You should go ahead and do this NOW!!!!. It's something that you can get out of the way before the class starts.
- Use the practice exams to point you towards what's important or not. By doing this, you can usually score another 5-10% higher on the exam.
---------
- Strategy:
- I found there to be alot less material on the lab exams for A&P than on the lecture.
- My goal was to get as close to 100% as possible on the lab exams. Get as close to 100% as possible on the lab quizes. Do not blow off lab quizes -- as these points will often be the difference between an "A" or "B". I also try to get any/all extra credit points.
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- My experience:
- In A&P 101 -- We had 1000 points for the class. I ended up with 901 points. So cut it pretty close.
- In A&P 102 -- We have 1000 points for the class. I am sitting pretty with 848 points (only missed 1 question this semester). We still have lab final and lecture final yet to go. So, it looks like my method of puttng in 3 hours a day is paying off.
- Find out what the hours/phone number are for the libraries in your town. Even if you don't go to a particular college, you can still use their library to study.
- Most public libraries are not open at night -- however, most college libraries are open until midnight.
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- Also, know where your local bookstore is (Barnes/Nobles, etc), get their hours. Get their phone numbers.
- Also, know what restaurants have padded seating and are open 24 hours/day. Your butt will hurt after 2 or 3 hours on a hard seat - so find the places that will be comfortable.
- Sounds crazy? No!!!! Denny's and House O' Pancakes are great places to study at 10PM - 5AM. No one in the place, and you can get by with just ordering a diet coke or whatever. Leave a $ for the waitress... no one will care.
- I hate studying at home --- too many distractions. Believe me, after 5 or 6 weeks of this -- you get sick of even thinking about studying. Last thing you want to do is to stall out in the middle of a semester.
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- Regarding age. I think you mentioned something about this in your post.
- I will turn 40 in January. We have about 10 people in my A&P class that are in the 30-45 yr old range. We are the ones getting the "A"'s in the class. It's the kid's that seem to have trouble getting focused. Of course, I was that way too at that age.
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- Gotta run, big lab final (A&P 102) on Thur night.
Thanks for the feedback. Boy, am I glad I posted this. I'm concerned now that my "plan" on this mid-life career change needs to be reworked. I had no idea that the class would require so much to get an A. I have a full time professional job -- now, granted I don't work any overtime (I could, but since I don't give a darn about it any more, I don't...whole reason I want to go into nursing), I have 2 children and a husband and house to try to maintain. This is sounding impossible!!! I stupidly assumed that I could study an hour a day and do well. 20 years ago, I took some advanced accounting classes in the summer and that's about what it took then to get A's. An hour a day, every single day (including weekends).
So, is this impossible? My kids are 7 & 10 and won't have any homework in the summer. There are 16 actual class meetings and I'm taking vacation half-days to attend the classes on Tues/Thur afternoon so that leaves me a couple extra hours immediately after class to study in addition to the hour I was counting on in the evening. Those are FANTASTIC study tips you've given me and I will get all those extra materials.
If I do all that, is an A or B within reach? Or am I crazy and I really should just quit my job, go to school full time and devote myself to this? I only lack these 2 classes to be able to apply for ADN and I wanted to be absolutely sure that I'm accepted before I quit this other career. I'm probably being overly cautious as I've always done well in school and have no reasons for them to reject me.
I think I'm asking for advice! I also think I need to talk to students currently enrolled at this school. Does the difficulty of these courses (specifically this A&P I) vary, or is that wishful thinking on my part? I'm just blown away by how much study time you are reporting it needed for an A. WOW.
I took A&P I during a spring semester and II during a summer course (8 week session). It was difficult because I was also working full time, but you will need to study every night and probably every weekend, at least I did and got an A. I usually reviewed what we did in class on the train home after class. That helped a lot.
Somebody mentioned flash cards, which is what I do to review. It works well and you can carry them around and study while you are anywhere.
I'm in A&P I right now, and I don't study anywhere near what some of the other people have posted here. I've got the highest A in the class. I've found that breaking down the material into really small pieces helps to keep it from becoming overwhelming. That was the main problem I faced in the class, not panicking over the sheer amount of material. Just take it slow, and take it one thing at a time, and you'll do fine, especially with your track record.
Thanks for the feedback. Boy, am I glad I posted this. I'm concerned now that my "plan" on this mid-life career change needs to be reworked. I had no idea that the class would require so much to get an A. I have a full time professional job -- now, granted I don't work any overtime (I could, but since I don't give a darn about it any more, I don't...whole reason I want to go into nursing), I have 2 children and a husband and house to try to maintain. This is sounding impossible!!! I stupidly assumed that I could study an hour a day and do well. 20 years ago, I took some advanced accounting classes in the summer and that's about what it took then to get A's. An hour a day, every single day (including weekends).
So, is this impossible? My kids are 7 & 10 and won't have any homework in the summer. There are 16 actual class meetings and I'm taking vacation half-days to attend the classes on Tues/Thur afternoon so that leaves me a couple extra hours immediately after class to study in addition to the hour I was counting on in the evening. Those are FANTASTIC study tips you've given me and I will get all those extra materials.
If I do all that, is an A or B within reach? Or am I crazy and I really should just quit my job, go to school full time and devote myself to this? I only lack these 2 classes to be able to apply for ADN and I wanted to be absolutely sure that I'm accepted before I quit this other career. I'm probably being overly cautious as I've always done well in school and have no reasons for them to reject me.
I think I'm asking for advice! I also think I need to talk to students currently enrolled at this school. Does the difficulty of these courses (specifically this A&P I) vary, or is that wishful thinking on my part? I'm just blown away by how much study time you are reporting it needed for an A. WOW.
TIA for your thoughtful responses.
Meredith
meredith,
I have 5 kids here at home, I am 39 yrs. old and I do not have a job outside the home at the moment. But if I did I'd say it was achievable. You got some great info from John and others. You can do it, but you will be studying a bunch if you want to have an A or a B.
In speaking with others about the schools in my area, the A&P does vary, from difficult to more difficult. I had been taking classes full time and when it came time for the A&P I decided I needed to just concentrate on that because I had heard horror stories. Well, it's not all that bad...I mean, some people actually go into this class and anticipate that the first time they go through it is their dry run for the class and expect to have to take it over again. I did not go into it with THAT attitude.
I have always done well in school, too. I have never worked so hard in my life for a grade as I did in A&P. I got the top total points in the class. I studied as much as John suggested, maybe more, but it was important for me to get a good grade and there is A LOT of information to cover in that class. The labs in my school covered the anatomy and lectures covered physiology. It was almost like having two classes instead of one. We had tests in both lecture and lab, and they didn't always coincide material wise in both.
I am really not trying to discourage you, just give you a realistic representation of what may be expected. This isn't like an accounting class (yes, I've taken those in the past), not that those are really easy, it's just really different.
It would be a great idea to speak with students at your school who have taken A&P to find out the scoop. Also ask around about the "best" instructors and their teaching styles.
- From my personal experience. I work 40-50 hours a week in the software industry and teach 2 nights (4 hrs each night) a week. I also have 2 persian cats that get shampood/bathed every other weekend (that kills a good 4 or 5 hours every other weekend). Tough switching from cats to A&P -- reason I like to leave apartment and hit up restaurant or bookstore for a study place.
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- What I do is study an hour or so in the morning, an hour or so at lunch, and an hour or two in evenings. Some days I get 4 hours in, some days I only get 2 hours in. If I miss a study session, then I just make sure I hit the next one.
- I take long naps on the weekends when I am not bathing the kitties.
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- Regarding your family. Talk with your hubby. He will need to be behind you 100% on this. Meaning, the house will be dirty, you'll be eating alot of pasta and other "easy" meals. He may have to iron his shirt/etc.
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- With that being said. Take your A&P at a local community college. The cost is cheap (relatively speaking). Community colleges are geared towards helping folks in your sitation (married w/kids). The one here in Evansville, Indiana provides on-site daycare. Not sure if there is a cost or not.
- Use the community college experience as a test. Remember, nursing school will be even more demanding than A&P. So if you really, really stuggle with A&P in community college, then re-evaluate your goals.
- Even if A&P does not work out. Sit out a semester, re-evaluate your situation. Maybe the kids need to get older. Maybe your finances need to be in better shape. Whatever....
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- Bottom line. Don't ever give up on your dream ...
not to break down Johns good plan, but you have to be sure what your teacher wants you to learn before spending all the time on memorization. If my A&PI class was memorization I would have aced it, but it wasn't, far from it. It was mostly physiology down to the cellular level. I can honestly say no one is getting an A in our A&P II class.
As far as lab, yes, don't miss a quiz, these are some of the easiest tests you'll take.
If this is the only class you plan on taking, you can do it, it's not that bad. Just shoot for the best grade you can get, you don't HAVE to have an A to do well.
I have to say, you guys & gals are the best for helping me with this. I have looked into the comm. college option and even a local diploma program but based on my needs, timing, location, etc., this hospital-affiliated ADN program is the best fit for me. And they require at least 6 hours at their school for pre-requ.s to be accepted; I only lack 6 hours so I have to stick with them. I think I'll know a lot after I complete this Chem class in the Spring and based on that, I'll decide whether to tackle the A&P in the summer or wait for fall and delay my "master plan" by a semester. But I feel much more informed and with better expectations. One thing I can see is that if I do it, my summer will be wall-to-wall A&P!
John, I feel I have some things in common with you. I'm 41 and work in IT at a fortune 500 co. as a project manager right now. I've been there 19 years but have never felt it was my passion. I've been doing things on the side (teaching aerobics and leading the wellness committee at work) that fed my soul and finally I got a really bad boss at work and started asking myself the tough questions. I am really ready to give up the bucks and do what I love. And my husband is supportive so that's half the battle. (took him a while to deal with the loss of income issue but I think he's in acceptance phase!) I don't have kitties but I have kiddies that require bathing too!
- Regarding the IT industry ... here is my nightmare story.
- Finished MS-Computer Science in May 1999.
- Worked for Lucent Technologies (Warren, NJ) -- laid off after 6 months.
- Worked for Qwest (Denver, CO) -- laid off 1st day -- even though they paid the transfer/move from Philadelphia, PA to Denver, Co.
- Worked for Hewlett-Packard (Philadelphia, PA) -- commutted weekly (except for 9-11) from Denver. -- laid off after 9 months. Was awesome job - teaching software engineering (Java, J2EE) to their clients.
- Working for American General Finance (Evansville, IN) -- I sit in a cubicle 10+ hrs a day. Was only place I could find that paid decent $$ and offered relocation money.
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- I spent summer of 2002 (6 months) fly-fishing Montanna, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado. Ended up doing several guide trips for folks that flew out from Pennsylvania (my original home state).
- I loved the freedom of travelling, both with Hewlett-Packard and the Summer of 2002.
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- I definitely want to do the travel nurse thing. Look at delphi forums -- great discussion board "Travel Nurse".
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- What I am thinking of doing, it grabbing my ASN, then some experience, and trying the travel nurse thing. Would really like to apply the housing stipend towards a bus-conversion (greyhound bus - not school bus). Not sure of the tax implications, but would eventually like to use bus for both nurse travelling and for fly-fishing adventures.
- Also thinking of doing the CRNA thing. However, I am just beginning my nursing adventure -- so my thoughts/feelings on this may change.
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- That being said -- here are my obstacles (you may face the same thing).
1Q. How to keep current job and go to nursing school.
1A: Will be flying to Syracuse, NY every other weekend for clinicals -- take 2 yrs to do this. Start in June 2004 - already accepted into the program.
2Q: How to keep current job and start working as nurse out of
school.
2A: I think I can manage this -- but the issue appears when it comes to new graduate nurse orientation. From what I am hearing, most nurse orientations last a few months (if you are lucky and at good hospital), and are during weekday hours. A lot of class-room time too with regards to hospital paperwork and policies. Problem is that formal classroom time is held during normal business hours.
Unfortunately, my current employer (American General Finance) does not offer flex-time for their IT staff.
Will need to investigate as I get closer towards graduation.
3Q: ASN to BSN
3A: Will CRNA schools accept an online program? This I don't know.
University of Southern Indiana offers ASN to BSN program online. They are are decent sized brick and motar school here in Evansville, Indiana. Will eventually talk to them and CRNA schools and see if appropriate avenue to pursue.
4Q: Where to get ICU experience and keep current job?
4A: Again, I am in the utter middle of nowhere -- most south-west point of Indiana. We are 10 miles from Illinois and are about 500 feet from Kentucky (I am right on the Ohio River).
Meaning, I am not sure if there are any Level I/II/III type ICU units appropriate for getting CRNA training. Again, need to research more.
So where to get ICU internship/orientation (if that's the proper term), where to get appropriate ICU training for CRNA school requirements, and keep current job.?
Main goal (for me) is to keep current job as long as possible and combine with nursing.
If the CRNA thing does not work out -- then quit current job and do travel nurse thing when ready.
I stupidly assumed that I could study an hour a day and do well. 20 years ago, I took some advanced accounting classes in the summer and that's about what it took then to get A's. An hour a day, every single day (including weekends).
SirJohnny
401 Posts
meredithT:
- The best thing for you to do at this point. Start getting focused - and form your plan of attack.
- For A&P or Chem (assuming 15 week class), you will need to devote 3 hours/day memorization time. This is in addition to any class time, note-rewriting time, or reading-time. This will get you an "A" in the course.
- The game in A&P is memorization, memorization, and finally, more memorization ...
- Chemistry has plenty of memorization ... but also requires problem solving skills - which you develop as you go through the course.
-----------
- I would definitely purchase some study guides (A&P Made Easy by Barron's, etc.).
- Find the website for your book. Be absolutely sure to download the practice exams and outlines. You should go ahead and do this NOW!!!!. It's something that you can get out of the way before the class starts.
- Use the practice exams to point you towards what's important or not. By doing this, you can usually score another 5-10% higher on the exam.
---------
- Strategy:
- I found there to be alot less material on the lab exams for A&P than on the lecture.
- My goal was to get as close to 100% as possible on the lab exams. Get as close to 100% as possible on the lab quizes. Do not blow off lab quizes -- as these points will often be the difference between an "A" or "B". I also try to get any/all extra credit points.
---------
- My experience:
- In A&P 101 -- We had 1000 points for the class. I ended up with 901 points. So cut it pretty close.
- In A&P 102 -- We have 1000 points for the class. I am sitting pretty with 848 points (only missed 1 question this semester). We still have lab final and lecture final yet to go. So, it looks like my method of puttng in 3 hours a day is paying off.
----------
- Hope this helps.
- Feel free to Private Message me if you want.
John Coxey