WWYD? Summer school

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I am applying for the fall Nursing program at my cc, for 2007. I can't apply until this semester is over, so the entire time I've been thinking it would be full and it would be a long shot to get in for fall. BUT I just e-mailed with the nursing dept and they said there are plenty of spots left and they hope to admit everyone who applies this year! This is good news but leaves me with a (small) dilemma.

Since there are a few classes that I can take that go towards the nursing degree, I was planning to take them next year while I waited. I was looking forward to taking the summer off. But now, thinking that I might actually get in nursing school next year, I will probably be sorry if I don't get something out of the way now, because I'll have to take these classes while taking my actual nursing classes too.

This could possibly be my very last summer off, so I can spend time with my kids, and more importantly, clean, declutter, organize this mess that I'm living in, because I don't have time to properly clean right now!

So WWYD? Take the summer off? Take an easy class? Or get a hard one out of the way? I'm leaning towards taking one easy class (online) - after this semester it should be a piece of cake.

Kelly

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Specializes in Neuro.

Hi Kelly,

I am in the same dilemma as you! I just found out that I was accepted for the fall, and I had planned on taking 4 classes this summer, so I could get them out of the way. I am done with my pre reqs where I am going now, but plan on going for my BSN when I am finished with my ADN. I have about 8 classes left for pre reqs there, so I was going to try to get them done. I took 4 classes last summer and my children hated it!!! Everyone tells me to take the summer off because I will need it to gear up for NS. What to do, what to do??? All of the classes that I will be taking are online classes, so we can still go to the pool and hang out, but I will be studying and NOT playing the whole time with them. I could always just take the 1st 2 classes, but that will still leave 6 to take instead of 4 now, 4 later. If you figure out a good answer, let me know!!! Good luck~

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Hi Kelly,

I am in the same dilemma as you! I just found out that I was accepted for the fall, and I had planned on taking 4 classes this summer, so I could get them out of the way. I am done with my pre reqs where I am going now, but plan on going for my BSN when I am finished with my ADN. I have about 8 classes left for pre reqs there, so I was going to try to get them done. I took 4 classes last summer and my children hated it!!! Everyone tells me to take the summer off because I will need it to gear up for NS. What to do, what to do??? All of the classes that I will be taking are online classes, so we can still go to the pool and hang out, but I will be studying and NOT playing the whole time with them. I could always just take the 1st 2 classes, but that will still leave 6 to take instead of 4 now, 4 later. If you figure out a good answer, let me know!!! Good luck~

Congrats to both of you for getting in that is great!!!

I can't apply until the fall for our spring semester it leaves me with nearly 8 months off, I have all my other classes done, not sure what I am going to do but I am looking forward to recharging.

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Specializes in ER/adult gero-NP.

What classes to you still need to complete?

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Okay so I'm about to give you my opinon, as a nusing student about to complete my second semester, who has twins 6 yoa and a 4 year old. Get as much done this summer prior to entering nursing school. If you have micro, A & P classes or anything you consider difficult.....get it out of the way. Nursing classes are HARD.....more difficult than any classes you've ever taken before. This being primarily because the "thinking" required for testing is different than most people are used to. If you are usually an A student, the amount of time required of you to keep that "A" in nursing school will stagger you. LITERALLY. So taking classes, especially hard ones, concurrently with NS is setting yourself up for failure. I'm not saying it can't be done, and I'm not saying that YOU cant do it, but why add more stress than you have to in an already stressfull situation. ALL of my pre reqs were done before I entered nursing school, and at this time I am so greatful because as a former 4.0 student prior to NS, I'm struggleing to keep a B in my class. Several people in my class failed the first semester by 1/10 of a point, because most NS will NOT round up, even if you are that close.

So, like I said.....just giving my opinion. You of course know yourselves better than anyone and the dynamics of you family life, responsibilities, etc. Good luck in whatever you descide to do.

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Specializes in Neuro.

Wow, Angela, you are scaring me!!! Actually, I have heard from several people that NS is so much harder and a different set of testing standards than what a person is used to. Thank you for your input. That is what I was thinking, to go ahead and get what I can out of the way. Luckily, I am not going into the program needing any pre reqs for the ADN, but I also w ant to go for my MSN as soon after NS as I can, so I figure, why wait? Thank you all for your input~

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Sorry about that, wasn't trying to scare you! :rotfl:

But honestly, I do think that preparedness is the KEY to success in this environment and part of that is the knowing that you will work your tushy off just trying to get the basics down.

I just hate seeing people struggle when they could have done something about it previously.

There are several people in my class right now who are at the point where they must get 90 or better on the final to pass. Is it doable? Abosolutely! Is it likely? Not really. And these are people who are used to getting A's, they just haven't found the key yet for them and are still doing what "used to work" for them. NS is a whole different ballgame than what we students were used to before, and figuring out how to play the game is half the battle.

So don't be scared, BE PREPARED!!

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Okay so I'm about to give you my opinon, as a nusing student about to complete my second semester, who has twins 6 yoa and a 4 year old. Get as much done this summer prior to entering nursing school. If you have micro, A & P classes or anything you consider difficult.....get it out of the way. Nursing classes are HARD.....more difficult than any classes you've ever taken before. This being primarily because the "thinking" required for testing is different than most people are used to. If you are usually an A student, the amount of time required of you to keep that "A" in nursing school will stagger you. LITERALLY. So taking classes, especially hard ones, concurrently with NS is setting yourself up for failure. I'm not saying it can't be done, and I'm not saying that YOU cant do it, but why add more stress than you have to in an already stressfull situation. ALL of my pre reqs were done before I entered nursing school, and at this time I am so greatful because as a former 4.0 student prior to NS, I'm struggleing to keep a B in my class. Several people in my class failed the first semester by 1/10 of a point, because most NS will NOT round up, even if you are that close.

So, like I said.....just giving my opinion. You of course know yourselves better than anyone and the dynamics of you family life, responsibilities, etc. Good luck in whatever you descide to do.

I have heard that from so many can you give us some examples out of curiosity. I know our program here is very hard too, also the instructors aren't like "normal" teachers because they are nurses a different way of teaching if that makes sense.

incidently I have twins too and a single 10, 8,8 quite a fun challange trying to juggle it all.

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What classes to you still need to complete?

The only classes I have left that I can do before I'm admitted to nursing are Pharmacology, Medical Terminology, and a Speech elective. I don't think I *can* do the speech over the summer because it's not offered online and I will have three kids at home who need supervision, not quite old enough to be left alone. Although I could do it in the evening, I suppose, but that's difficult because my dh has a weird schedule (he's a volunteer firefighter with rotating shifts). I think Medical Terminology will be super easy, it's only 1 credit, but Pharmacology will be more challenging (3 credits). That's all I have left! I've already taken "Health Science" I & II which is my school's A&P and Micro all in one.

Thanks for the input, I'm definitely thinking hard about it!

Kelly

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The only classes I have left that I can do before I'm admitted to nursing are Pharmacology, Medical Terminology, and a Speech elective. I don't think I *can* do the speech over the summer because it's not offered online and I will have three kids at home who need supervision, not quite old enough to be left alone. Although I could do it in the evening, I suppose, but that's difficult because my dh has a weird schedule (he's a volunteer firefighter with rotating shifts). I think Medical Terminology will be super easy, it's only 1 credit, but Pharmacology will be more challenging (3 credits). That's all I have left! I've already taken "Health Science" I & II which is my school's A&P and Micro all in one.

Thanks for the input, I'm definitely thinking hard about it!

Kelly

Hi,

Can I jump in here? I am starting a direct-entry-FNP program for non-nurses this fall. Because I also had applied to an ABSN program, I was required to take patho and pharm in addition to the nursing pre-reqs.

Even though the school I will be attending requires patho and pharm during the first semster, I already completed the patho, and I have decided to stay enrolled in the pharm so that I am a little bit ahead.

I know that going back to school with 2 kids and 17 units will be a lot--so I am really glad that I will have them done. I still plan on auditing the patho and pharm (there is ALWAYS more to learn) so I will have enough time to study for my other classes without being too overwhemed!

ANYHOW, getting to my main point, lol, I am currently taking pharmacology at IU online (NURS B219) from home. It has rolling admission so you can begin and end as you need to. If you enroll now, you will have plenty of time to get it done by next fall.

I generally do not like online classes, but I am enjoying this one. It is very organized and the term/objectives are outlined nicely. If you are thinking about taking pharm, I reccommend this class. .... I should also say that my BA was in Biology, so I am not sure how challenging it is to a person without the same science background.

I would be glad to answer more questions about it.

Best of luck!

--Berk

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Specializes in Clinicals.

Take an easy class to keep the ball rolling. ;)

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