What Have I Done?!

Achoo!, LPN · Feb 16, 2004

I guess it depends on what else you have on your plate. How many hours do you work? What other responsibilities do you have? Will you have the time and energy to put forth the studying hours?? I heard the same about A&P and I am getting an A also. It all depends on who you talk to. I have heard micro was pretty easy. Depends on who you ask, the teacher etc..I'm sure it can be done. Best of luck!

jemride · Feb 16, 2004

LisaRN2B,

I think you will do fine. Last semester I took A&P (Gross Anatomy), Micro, Nutrition, World Religions and Bioetchics. I got all "A"s except for the "B" I got in A&P. I am living proof that it can be done.

Just make sure that your priorities are in line. I believe that what made it possible for me is the fact that I am able to work one day a week (usually a Sat or Sun) and I have a very understandable and encouraging wife who is as determined that I become a nurse as I am. Keep in mind that I have never been an "A" type student before I began my pursuit for a nursing career. If anything, I considered myself a lousy student throughout high school. But I guess once you discover what you want to do with the rest of your life, its like a fire is set under your feet. Hang in there and keep your eye on the prize!

sagelola · Feb 16, 2004

Hey Lisa!

I'm sure you'll do fine...Last spring I took 19 units AND kept my 4.0. The classess were Physiology (5 units), Microbiology (4 units), English 1A (4 units), Sociology (3 units), and Nutrition (3 units). Luckily for me writing comes easily, I do well on tests, and the Nutrition class was pretty much a joke! But, it worked for me! I know a lot of people have a difficult time with Micro, but I still have not been able to figure out why. To date it is still my absolute favorite of everything I've taken! Physiology WAS hard...but we lived through it!

What other classes did you sign up for? along with these two?

bigmona · Feb 16, 2004

Last semester I took A & P and Micro at the same time. I was working 35 hours a week as well in a stressful job. I got A's in both classes and consistently had the highest test scores on all my exams in both classes. Granted I had no life, but it definitely can be done.

LisaRN2B · Feb 16, 2004

Thanks for the encouragement you guys!

A&P III and Micro will be the only classes I will be taking Spring quarter. Okay, quit laughing! Really, I have a full plate. I home school my kids, ages 15, 9 and 5. That in and of itself is a full time job. DH's two kids live with us as well. Add into it mountains of laundry, meals to prepare, taxi driving the kids to and from activites...well, I am just blessed my husband is also very supportive!

I guess my concern lies in the fact I know how much I study for A&P, how much is involved in not only the lecture portion of class (physiology) but the lab portion as well (anatomy). The A&P at my school is like taking two classes with the lecture and the lab, with tests in each. There is, of course, lecture and lab in micro. Yeah, I realize how well I will have to prioritize, and that too has me a bit freaked out. Not that I can't prioritize, but when you add family into the mix, anything goes. It is going to be a very delicate balancing act for me. I HAVE taken a full course load, but those classes seemed to be a piece of cake compared to A&P alone. And will I get mixed up with the material since I will be taking two biology classes? This I don't know. It, too, is a variable in my fear.

Oh, well. I know this only gets harder as I go along (or maybe I should say more challenging). If there is one thing I don't lack, it is tenacity. Let's hope it will carry me through, once again!

LisaRN2B · Feb 16, 2004

Last semester I took A & P and Micro at the same time. I was working 35 hours a week as well in a stressful job. I got A's in both classes and consistently had the highest test scores on all my exams in both classes. Granted I had no life, but it definitely can be done.

Thanks for that, bigmona. It makes me feel better. I know what you mean about having no life. But I guess as jemride pointed out, we just have to keep our eyes on the prize!

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Feb 16, 2004

You will do just fine. I homeschool my kids as well- I love it!! And yes, it is a full time job in itself :)

You will do fine!! DON'T be intimidated. You said it yourself that you heard the horror stories about A&P and so far you have A's in it so you have already *proved* you can do it. Micro is not any harder than A&P, its just different- I personally didn't find it hard at all, but everyone is different. Have you talked to students taking Micro at your school, what do they say-or go talk to the instructor about it and how well students usually do? Last semester I had Physiology w/lab and Micro w/lab along with World Religion and Sociology and made an A in everything except got a B on Sociology.

Anyways, you will do fine, don't underestimate yourself. Fell free to PM anytime about homeschooling as well :) Do you plan on homeschooling while in nursing school?

Marilyn

Altra, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2004

Lisa,

Just the fact that you (successfully) home school your kids says a great deal about your organizational skills and motivation. I have 2 close friends who home school, so I have an idea of what's involved.

The courses you named aren't exactly cake walks, but apply those same skills to your studies and I'd predict that you'll do just fine.

Good luck!

LisaRN2B · Feb 17, 2004

You will do just fine. I homeschool my kids as well- I love it!! And yes, it is a full time job in itself :)
You will do fine!! DON'T be intimidated. You said it yourself that you heard the horror stories about A&P and so far you have A's in it so you have already *proved* you can do it. Micro is not any harder than A&P, its just different- I personally didn't find it hard at all, but everyone is different. Have you talked to students taking Micro at your school, what do they say-or go talk to the instructor about it and how well students usually do? Last semester I had Physiology w/lab and Micro w/lab along with World Religion and Sociology and made an A in everything except got a B on Sociology.
Anyways, you will do fine, don't underestimate yourself. Fell free to PM anytime about homeschooling as well :) Do you plan on homeschooling while in nursing school?
Marilyn

Marilyn,

Kewl! Another fellow home schooler!

I am really enjoying A&P. I think micro will be cool, too. Yes, I have spoken to people at school about micro, but I don't know what to believe. I had people telling me how outrageously hard A&P was, too. Many of them were taking A&P I for the third time! That scared me, I was prepared to be blown away. It didn't happen like that, though. Everything has fallen into place, and I understand it. I am hoping the same thing is true for micro. I do feel for the people who struggle through some of these classes. I don't wish it on anyone, and I realize some things are harder for some and easier for others. I kind of have a tendency to freak myself out before I start a new subject I guess. Like, "Will this be the one class that does me in?" Just guess I need to calm down and remind myself to breathe!

I do plan on home schooling through nursing school. I have been home schooling my daughter since first grade. She is a Freshman this year, and doing very well in her studies. I will PM you, feel free to PM me as well!

Thanks for your support and encouragement. :kiss

Lisa

LisaRN2B · Feb 17, 2004

Lisa,
Just the fact that you (successfully) home school your kids says a great deal about your organizational skills and motivation. I have 2 close friends who home school, so I have an idea of what's involved.
The courses you named aren't exactly cake walks, but apply those same skills to your studies and I'd predict that you'll do just fine.
Good luck!

Thank you for that, MLOS. I am feeling better about this already. I am glad someone is able to point out the forest for me...sometimes it's so hard to see for the trees!

AmyLiz · Feb 17, 2004

You sound like you're in the same boat as I am. I only have 3 more non-nursing classes to take & am looking at getting into the program next January or April most likely. (ugh)

I decided that rather than push myself to get those classes done that I'd just spread them out over the next few quarters. I signed up to take General Pharmacology & BLS Training for next quarter, then summer & fall I'll take Interpersonal Communications & Microbiology. Then if I still have a quarter or so to go, I'll take something to transfer later to a RN-BSN program.