What would you do?

[TRIcat]

Hi Guys & Gals,

I have a question for you if you don't mind helping me with. I was wondering what you would you do in my situation? I am currently attending a local CC and am enrolled in nursing pre-req's for the the fall. I am working full time as well since I am a non-traditional student. With that being said do you think this schedule is too much? What 1-2 classes would you take out or even put in it's place? I am aiming for LPN right now with my ultimate goal of becoming and Emergency Room RN. What do you think would be most beneficial in getting selected for LPN?

Here's my schedule:

1. A&P combined 5 credits (required for EMS and LPN) not dropping that one.

2. Human Development 3 cr (required for LPN & RN)

3. Medical Terminology 1 Cr (online not required by anyone but thought it would look good)

4. ECG Interpretation Course 3 Cr ( Required for EMS and thought it would look favorable for LPN selection)

5. EMT Basic 10 Cr (taking this outside of school at a local Fire dept it's 5 months long twice a week obviously required for EMS)

I would like to do all of them but I don't think I would have enough time between work, and actually studying for A&P. I need to get an A in A&P as last time I took the class 3 years ago I didn't do very well at all. My GPA isn't great either right now. I do have 6 years experience as a military medic oversea's so that is why I am interested in EMS/ER. If I don't get selected for LPN, RN I would like to try for the Paramedic program with my experience.

Any suggestions I am open too. Thank you to everyone! and wish you all nothing but continued success!!

[RunBabyRN]

I would wait on the ECG course until you're an RN. LPNs aren't allowed to interpret ECGs, so it wouldn't make a difference in your hirability. Plus, taking it now wouldn't mean much later, as you would be so rusty with it that no employer would be impressed. Same goes for ACLS or other certifications. Don't get anything like this until you're close to graduating with your RN, or you're already working, because even as a new grad RN, managers recognize you've never actually had a chance to APPLY the knowledge, so it doesn't mean a lot.

Medical terminology would be a waste. As a medic, I assume you did your own charting and med administration and such, right? (I am a former corpsman, so I say this based on my own experience). If you have other areas that need that time and attention, don't bother with this one.

The EMT course might be helpful, though a lot of what you'll learn you likely learned as a medic. What type of patients and health care did you see when you were overseas? Were you in a hospital, clinic, on the battlefield? All of this makes a difference.

Like you said, that A in A&P is vital. You need to boost your GPA as best you can, if it's not that great.

Do you have your GI Bill available to you? Are you service-disabled? If so, and you're over 30%, you're eligible for vocational rehab.

[Spangle Brown]

Wow, my A & P was two courses, both with a lab, and worth 4 credits each.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

You need the A&P and you need to do well in it. My suggestion to you is to not take the EMT courses. Unless at some point you want to get into that. Also I would not do ECG interpretation. Not unless you want to be an ECG tech. I would take med term. And I will tell you why, I took it 15 years ago when it was required for any medical programs. It has been one the best classes I have ever taken. It helped me tons in my A&P classes. It is one of those classes that once you learn it, you don't forget it. Though I don't really think they look at those things when applying to nursing schools. They look at the classes that you are required to take. If you are working full time and taking prereqs take what you think you can handle. Especially if you need to get your GPA up. I took 5 classes one semester and 4 the next but I didn't have to work and could devote time to the classes. Good grades are imperative to getting into nursing school