What did i get myself into?!?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hello everyone, I just recently decided to pursue a BSN. I just graduated with a Bachelors in History/Minor in Education and then all of a sudden, 3 weeks ago, I decided to go back to school 1) because nursing is what i originally wanted to do, and 2) because during my internship for my last degree i realized it just wasnt for me. Anyway..... i registered and this is what I'm taking. I have no other option because these are the only prerequisites i have left.

(fall)

AP1

Microbiology

Chemistry

Fundamentals of Nutrition

Im leaving AP2 for the summer

I know its going to be difficult but I'm usually a good student. (I graduated with a 3.8 this past May) I don't work but i have 2 kids (3 and 1) and I'm 2 months pregnant. My husband and mom have always been a great help throughout my education but it still worries me that these classes are going to be too difficult. Are they hard or are they just time consuming? Am i crazy for taking all these courses at once? Which ones do i need to watch out for the most? Im soooooo scared :eek:

Oh my goodness!! I would so be in over my head!! The best of luck to you!!! Lol

not only are the classes tough..but some of the overlapping material might be hard on you!! Did you talk to an advisor at your school or anything?!

yes, the advisor told me that this would be the only way if i wanted to get into NS next fall.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.
Actually I don't know if its my school only but, micobiology doesnt have a lab thankfully.

No lab? You just have a lecture?

Well, as long as the BSN programs by you are ok with that requirement. The ABSN programs by me require Microbiology w/ lab.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

It does seem like a lot. I have a just turned 2yr old and a four year old and really the hard part is finding the time to put the work in. For me the science and chemistry classes weren't very hard but required a lot of time. I just completed an upper patho class which was my last pre-req and I'ld say that was actually trhe hardest course I've had yet. I had to study every single night after I put the kids to bed no matter how tired I was. My point is if you want it enough, have a lot of support and self-discipline you'll be fine. I had a lot of support myself and only my husband works so I managed :) If you're a good student you'll do great! Good Luck!

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Those are very time consuming classes, if you can take one science out and save it for summer I would. I have kids, I know how hard it is with young ones. Good luck to you!

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No lab? You just have a lecture?

Well, as long as the BSN programs by you are ok with that requirement. The ABSN programs by me require Microbiology w/ lab.

Mine too. I actually learn a lot from labs as well.

To the OP, I think it's do-able. I don't have kids, and I don't work but I do volunteer 4-8 hours a week.

I just finished my CNA course, which was 6 credits. It was Mon-Fri 8-3 for 13 days. I am also in A&P3 and Micro, both with labs. And I am taking Pscyh 2. Total of 17 credits. I was taking these with my CNA class, but now that it's over, I have a little relief. It hasn't been too bad, but now that it's 3 weeks left of the quarter, I really have a TON of work.

In the next 3 weeks, here's what I have due:

Psych 2 - 7 page paper, Exam (15-30 Critical thinking questions - usually all my answers take up about 6-7 pages typed), and then 10 Critical Thinking questions due just as an assignment (probably 4 pages)

A&P 3 - 120 question exam with diagram to label on Aug 10th; 130 question exam with diagram to label on Aug 17.

Micro - 5 quizzes due by Friday. 3 labs due Friday. Micro exam this weekend (110 questions: 90 minutes to complete). After that, 3 labs, 5 more quizzes, and 2 more large exams.

Yes, right now I am procrastinating. :lol2:

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Specializes in Tele RN on the West Coast.

I took Micro and A&P 1 at the same time, which everyone told me not to do. I passed both but I would have gotten a better grade had I done them one at a time. The point is, I did it, and so can you if you are willing to spend your life devoted to those classes. As for taking Chem also, that's a little much for most but maybe not for you. I would recommend taking all of those you registered for but find out the deadline to drop and still get a refund. That way you have a little time to decide what you want to do after seeing the course load and syllabus for the classes.

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Does your school not have a spring, summer and fall semester? You only mentioned fall and summer.

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I am amazed you can take all those classes at the same time, A&P I and II are pre-reqs for Micro at my school. I am taking Micro, Chem and Nutrition for the upcoming fall term, and am a little nervous that it will be too much.

I already got my Micro book, and having had A&P it seems that all the information is complementary. A&P I was a very time consuming class with lots of memorization, but I am firm believer in achieving a goal if you set your mind to it. Best of luck to you. I plan on hanging around this board for Chemistry help for sure:lol2:

Sincerely, LB

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Specializes in mental health.

If that's your spring schedule...suggest you try to find someplace to take the nutrition in fall. It's easy but time consuming and you'll appreciate NOT having it in the spring. If you're good with analytical thinking, A&P 2 is easier than A&P I. If you memorize well, A&P I is easier than A&P 2. If you're good a both...don't sweat it.

I couldn't do it...but one of my classmates has 7 children. Another has a full time job. They have no social life but are doing fine with school and clinical.

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Does your school not have a spring, summer and fall semester? You only mentioned fall and summer.

yes, but the spring is already filled with other classes that i need to take like pharmacodynamics, pathophysiology, foundations of nursing practice, and ap2. Then hopefully next fall i get into NS.

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I am amazed you can take all those classes at the same time, A&P I and II are pre-reqs for Micro at my school. I am taking Micro, Chem and Nutrition for the upcoming fall term, and am a little nervous that it will be too much.

I already got my Micro book, and having had A&P it seems that all the information is complementary. A&P I was a very time consuming class with lots of memorization, but I am firm believer in achieving a goal if you set your mind to it. Best of luck to you. I plan on hanging around this board for Chemistry help for sure:lol2:

Sincerely, LB

they're prerequisites at my school too but the advisor gave me an override.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

You'll be fine. None of the classes are difficult they just require you to put in the time. Pay attention in lecture, study a little bit everyday, and you'll ace them.

A lot of people I would just flat out tell them not to take all three, but if you finished your bachelors with a 3.8 this shouldn't be too bad for you.

All three classes (I'm ignoring nutrition since that should be a breeze) share at least a chapter or two. You'll spend a week or two in your A&P and Micro class talking about Chemistry. A&P will probably require the most time out of the three. There is quite a bit of memorization but if you understand the concepts then it's really not too bad. Microbiology has some memorization as far as remembering specific genera, but it's much less than A&P.

Chemistry models closer to a math class and requires virtually no memorization. There are a few dozen formulas and constants but the vast majority of the work is just understanding the concepts. As long as you don't have too much difficulty grasping them then Chemistry I really isn't that time intensive. I took Chemistry and A&P1 together and spent maybe 5 hours a week on Chemistry but around 15 a week on A&P. I scored a 100% on every Chemistry exam and a 97% on the final. I actually only finished that class with around a 93% because I opted not to do most of the (time intensive) Chemistry homework, it was a pretty big waste of time for me.

It's totally doable with decent time management, just make sure your husband is on board to do a little more with the kids.

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