What Pre-Requisites should I stack?

rn2bnok · Oct 9, 2012

I am an LVN/LPN. I plan to start the bridge program on Jan of 2014 (only one LPN-RN cycle here in Alaska). I have declined job offers to begin my pre-requisites full-time in January 2013. That being said, I have not completed science courses... In order to start the BSN I need chemistry. (I plan to start my BSN right after completing my RN which means applying before finishing my RN and getting those pre-reqs finished now also.) Has anyone stacked Chemistry with A&P or Chemistry with Microbiology and fared well (including labs)?? I typically do very well in school environments but do not want to set myself up for failure. Thank you, in advance, for any tips!

I can't wait to see the replies, I've been wondering the very same thing! I need Chemistry, Anatomy and Micro....I thought about stacking Chemistry and Anatomy but wasn't sure if I could handle it. And, do you use Chemistry a lot as a nurse or is it one of those pre reqs that you just have to have?

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2012

I wouldn't be allowed to do it. For my school, chemistry is a pre-req for A&P I and A&P I is a pre-req for Micro.

pre-nurseshan · Oct 11, 2012

I would recommend NOT taking Micro until you have completed A&P. You could maybe take chem and a&p at the same time depending on your schedule and how many responsibilties you have. Having chem first makes a&p somewhat easier, though.

Bouncyball · Oct 12, 2012

I would take anatomy and physiology at the same time, and then take chemistry and microbiology at the same time. Physiology helped me so much with micro because I learned all of the respiration pathways in physiology. Then when I got to micro it was no big deal.

watashi · Oct 15, 2012

I wouldn't be allowed to do it. For my school, chemistry is a pre-req for A&P I and A&P I is a pre-req for Micro.

The school I did my pre-reqs at had the same rules, and yet my lab partner for Micro was also taking A&P1 and Chemistry (I think 1 but it might have been 2) at the same time, so apparently exceptions could be made.

KristenNola · Oct 15, 2012

I took A&P 1 lecture and lab at the same time as Chemistry lecture and lab. Granted I had a lot of time to study because I worked during the day full time as a receptionist and had a LOT of down time where I would study. Luckily my Chem teacher (who I had lecture and lab) was a great teacher and made everything easy to understand. A&P was a struggle but once I figured out time management I ended up with an A in Chem lecture and lab, and an A in Anatomy lecture. Anatomy lab was extremely difficult and it didn't help that my teacher was awful, he didn't want to be in there, he gave us wrong answers, he would yell at us. My first test I failed really bad, but then studied my butt off and pulled it up to a B. If you do decide to stack them, just make sure you manage your time. It helps if you have the classes on different days and you spend mondays, wednesdays, and fridays studying for one class and then tuesdays, thursdays, and sundays study for the other class. That is what worked best for me. Good luck!

molls4 · Oct 17, 2012

I worked 30- 35 hours a week and took A&P 1 and chem 1151 (survey of chem) and both of the respective labs at the same time. I took the second sequence of chem, A&P 2, and the respective labs with working the next semester as well. There were several times I even had tests on the same days, too! While it was tough, it was totally doable. The classes compliment each other well and manage your time with keeping up reading and you'll be fine. I took micro after all that and I was we'll prepared. Hope this helps!