[ihugtrees]

<p>I don't have a strong science background. My last science class was in 10th grade, 7 years ago. I don't have a strong math background, either...I took college level Liberal Arts Math in 2005-2006, but those were my last math classes. I want to enter some sort of medical program next fall (I haven't decided if it will be LPN or Occupational Therapist Assistant yet--both programs only accept new students in fall), and in order to do that, I need to take Anatomy & Physiology I & II. In order to take A & P I & II, I have to take Biology in Winter quarter (January) in order to take A & P I in Spring, & A & P II in Summer. I cannot find a Biology class that works with my schedule. I work 11 am-5 pm Monday-Thursday. My STBX will have my daughter every weekend. I DO NOT want to fill my mornings with classes and give up that one on one time with my daughter. The morning class would be 8 am-10 am Tuesday-Friday. The evening classes would work great, as she is in bed by 7 pm...but they are 3.5 hours two days a week, and I just don't think I will learn well for 3.5 hours straight, after working/driving all day (my commute will be about 25 minutes on the way to work, about 45 minutes on the way home and my nanny job involves a lot of driving & shuffling of 2 kids plus my own toddler.)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So I'm thinking of trying to CLEP Biology. I was homeschooled for 8 of my school years, and I think I could do the work independently because of that experience. I'm going to talk to an advisor at school about this, of course, but I wanted some advice from people who've been there, done that. If worse comes to worse, I can take Biology in Spring, then take A & P I & II concurrently in Summer, but I think the concurrent classes would just be too much to do while working unless I'm super desperate (I plan to stop working once I enter my full time LPN/OTA program.) There is no guarantee I will be able to make my later classes work with my schedule, either, but hopefully after I've been working for my new nanny family for awhile (I just got hired!) then they will be willing to work with me. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>If I get a good study guide, spend however long studying (say, several hours a week set aside just to study), do you think I could pass the CLEP? Do you think my self-taught science would be a good enough basis for A & P & my nursing/OTA classes later?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>TIA for the advice!</p>

 

[Drummer's Wife]

<p>I don't have any advice on CLEP - though I'd say it's worth a shot, but wanted to mention that Clovis Community College has online science courses - including Biology and A&P.  It is really cheap, too.  You could take Bio there and be done in time to enroll for A&P.  Of course, check to see if it transfers smoothly - but your transcript will not say that it's an online class.  Just in case you decide you do want/need to take it.</p>
<p> </p>

 

[bobandjess99]

<p>sure you can do it!! Also, CLEP has an anatomy and physio clep you coudl take..study when you want to, take the test when you are ready..they have study guides that pretty much walk you through it....if your school will accept it, CLEP tests are an awesome, cheap way to earn credits!</p>

 

[lactivistmama]

<p>You can definately do it! I have been using CLEP exams for my prereqs for my RN.. and some are harder than others but they are doable if you stay motivated and set yourself goals! check out studyguide 101 and you can get the study guides from ebay.. It is soo helpful!</p>

 

[Ravin]

<p>Keep in mind that most of the learning for a lecture class comes in the studying you do on your own, not, per se, what happens in class. I'd say take the evening Bio class, take good notes and record lectures in case you get tired and the notes get not-so-good, and plan solid study blocks on the weekends when you're daughter's away and for periods on the evenings you don't have class after your daughter is sleeping.</p>

 

[meemee]

<p>what about chemistry?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>in our school we cant even get into biology without having finished gen chemistry.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>biology is mostly memorisation, so you can absolutely do it. chem is a whole different ball game. a lot of math involved plus some huge concept issues.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>check and see if you can get into bio without any chem. if you are required to do organic chem, take that first before bio. makes bio SOOOO much easier.</p>

 

[meemee]

<p><span>Quote:</span></p>
<div class="quote-container">
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>ihugtrees</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1279482/can-i-do-this-clep-question#post_16046662"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p> then take <strong>A & P I & II concurrently in Summer</strong>, but I think the concurrent classes would just be too much to do while working unless I'm super desperate (I plan to stop working once I enter my full time LPN/OTA program.)</p>
</div>
</div>
<p> <span><span><img alt="scared.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/scared.gif" style="width:18px;height:30px;"> <span><img alt="jaw.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/jaw.gif" style="width:15px;height:68px;"></span> you gotta be joking right? our school wont even allow it. esp if you continue working too.</span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span><span>i would focus on intermediate algebra and chemistry first before bio. and take the tests there. and THEN do bio.</span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span><span>math comes easy to me. NOT science. esp. bio. it does require a huge amount of time and energy - unless like one of my friends you too have a photographic memory.</span></span></p>

 

[ihugtrees]

<p>I apparently don't need the Chemistry for the LPN program. They said I only need it for the RN program. Since my goal is to have a way to make decent money as soon as possible, I didn't want to add another quarter to my pre-req's if I didn't have to....if I decide to bridge to the RN program, I could do chemistry then...at least I'd be able to start working as an LPN while I work on that.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Math is hard for me. Rote memorization is easy. Do you all think I really need to take Chemistry in order to succeed at my other classes?</p>

 

[MissMaegie'sMama]

<p>I don't think you'll be all that much better off taking chem before starting the LPN program. Really. I think your biggest worry in terms of being prepared for the LPN coursework is the biology requirement.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>You admit you have a not-so-strong science background and that it's been years since your last science course, so I'm going to be honest-- you probably have a <strong>LOT</strong> of studying to do in order to get CLEP credit for biology. Probably not what you want to hear, but I don't want to give you false hope. Intro-level biology might be known as a "memorization" course, but there is a LOT of material to memorize. Get the study guides and look through them-- if the terms and concepts contained therein ring a bell, then you'll probably be okay with studying for the CLEP. If not, you'd be doing yourself a favor in the long-run by taking a biology class. Biology is going to be the foundation of your nursing coursework, even if it seems arbitrary now. I don't mean to be harsh, but I want you to have a good idea of what to expect when pursuing a degree in a nursing program or allied health field. <span><img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I would NOT recommend taking A&P 1 & 2 concurrently, even if your program advisors tell you it's possible. Doing A&P 1 & 2 concurrently would be more than TOUGH, even for a full-time student with recent science coursework and no responsibilities outside the home, like a job and kids. Honestly, I don't think most schools would allow a student to take 1 and 2 concurrently. The schools I attended sure didn't-- completion of 1 was a prereq for 2.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Good luck with your educational plan and path.</p>

 

[MissMaegie'sMama]

<p>I tried to add something after submitting my last reply, but it didn't "take." <span><img alt="greensad.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="width:15px;height:15px;"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Here's another thought, OP-- A lot of schools will allow a student to begin a program "credit deficient," with advisor approval. This means that even if you can't complete all the program prerequisites before you begin the program, there is a good chance you can take that one prereq concurrently with the coursework in your first semester in the program. In your case, you could take biology in the spring, A&P 1 in the summer, and A&P in the fall, along with your first semester LPN classes. You might want to discuss this possibility with your advisor or program director.</p>

 

[VisionaryMom]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>MissMaegie'sMama</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1279482/can-i-do-this-clep-question#post_16067345"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>I don't think you'll be all that much better off taking chem before starting the LPN program.</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
I think Meemee was talking about the college's requirements. I know my university was the same. You couldn't take biology without having chemistry I & II as pre-reqs.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>OP, I think if you haven't had science in 10 years & you had only liberal arts math (not sure what that is, but I'm assuming it's not rigorous), then you're setting yourself up for a rough road. Remember that A&P for nurses isn't just about getting through the test or course. You actually NEED that material for your job, and there's not a lot of leniency once you enter the nursing program. My mother took CLEP exams for most of her humanities courses because she didn't need that material for her occupation, but I don't recall her taking CLEP tests for anything she'd need later. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Trying to take A&P I & II together seems like a nightmare situation and one that I can't see working out well. </p>

 

[MissMaegie'sMama]

<p>Some schools DO require completion of chem before beginning bio-- usually biology classes that are done for credit toward bachelor's degrees require at least one semester of general chemistry as a prerequisite. However, requirements vary among schools, even in bachelor's degree programs. The university I attended required only one semester of bachelor's degree gen chem to get into biology classes. Of course, we had to complete both semesters of gen chem to get the degree! <span><img alt="lol.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="width:15px;height:31px;"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>LPN programs are usually offered at 2-year schools, and the course prerequistes for < 2-year programs are less stringent than those for courses offered at/transferable to 4-year schools. The community college where I live doesn't require students to take chemistry as a prerequisite for enrolling in the biology course that leads to the LPN certificate. OTOH, at the same school, the biology classes that transfer to 4-year schools <em>do</em> require a semester of bachelor's degree level general chem as a prerequisite.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Since the OP's advisors told her chem isn't required for entry to the LPN program, taking it won't advance her toward the LPN certification, which is what I was trying to express in my first post. She seemed worried that she'd HAVE to take chem in order to succeed in LPN, and I wanted to let her know that it probably isn't necessary to do so.</p>

 

[meemee]

<p><span>Quote:</span></p>
<div class="quote-container">
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>VisionaryMom</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1279482/can-i-do-this-clep-question#post_16067969"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">I think Meemee was talking about the college's requirements. I know my university was the same. You couldn't take biology without having chemistry I & II as pre-reqs.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p>THAT is correct VM. ANYONE taking a bio class in our community college - irrespective of if they plan to transfer to a 4 year school or not, HAVE to take chem I and II before starting any bio - even A&P</p>
<p> </p>
<p>OP i would go to the school and meet some A&P students, look at their text book, talk to them and then make your decision. I personally would never trust and rely purely on a counsellor.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>you can do it, however i think its HUGELY hard. that is because personally after playing with my daughter and work and THEN trying to study would be really, really difficult for me. most evenings i am too exhausted to do hw. i would imagine you would have to study at least 2 hours a day. i know for bio i put in at least 30 hours a week studying. to do that on my own - i am sooo not that disciplined.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>the hard part is that your foundation has to be superstrong. your teachers will assume you know a lot of that stuff. and its going to be hard if you dont have it with the snap of your fingers. i recall going back to school after 7 years and going straight into calculus. OMG. i had to drop and take precalc again just to review. i know that feeling of floundering.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>if you can stay on task i dont see why you cant pass the test.</p>