Do you recommend taking anatomy and physiology online?

Nursing Students General Students

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Well I just recieved awful news today! I had taken Anatomy (one semester of Anatomy and one semester of Physiology was equivalent to A&P 1 and 2) at a previous university and since it was just anatomy not part physiology I now have to retake the whole thing. I start nursing school in the fall so I was thinking maybe I should just take A&P online? Since I have already had it before what do you think I should do? I am really stressing on which to pick..

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So you have to take a semester of A&P before fall semester? Yikes!

I would try to take it in person if there was any way that was possible. I took A&P online and really struggled due to the format and delivery of the class. If I had to do it over, I'd absolutely go and do an in-person class. That being said, you have to get it done, and if online is the only option, then so be it.

On the other hand I did take Microbiology online, and loved it. Sounds crazy, but I was really into it and would study it for fun. For some odd reason, I took to the material more quickly than in A&P. So I guess it all depends on you!

Good luck with whatever option you choose. :)

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Specializes in Cardiology and ER Nursing.

No, but I don't recommend taking any classes online. It's just not the same as going to class and I don't think people learn as much.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.
pookapooka said:
So you have to take a semester of A&P before fall semester? Yikes!

I would try to take it in person if there was any way that was possible. I took A&P online and really struggled due to the format and delivery of the class. If I had to do it over, I'd absolutely go and do an in-person class. That being said, you have to get it done, and if online is the only option, then so be it.

On the other hand I did take Microbiology online, and loved it. Sounds crazy, but I was really into it and would study it for fun. For some odd reason, I took to the material more quickly than in A&P. So I guess it all depends on you!

Good luck with whatever option you choose. ?

I liked Micro sooo much more than A&P too lol! I took them in person though..Idk..I just think science courses are the one subject you should definitely take in person. Things like psych, english,sociology,etc..can be done online with ease.

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I took both A&P I and II online, and I would not recommend it. It was a mistake on my part, and, if I had the time to do things differently, I would not take the courses online. I took microbiology in a classroom, and I did much better, learned more, and was much happier with the outcome.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Clinical Documentation Specialist.

The problem with A&P is it is a two semester class. I don't know if you will be able to take the entire course in the summer, online or otherwise.

I took both A&P 1&2 online and I LOVED it. However, as you read by some previous posters, it's not for everyone. It was a very challenging class, but I did very well. I am in nursing school now and have not been handicapped in any way having taken it online rather than in person.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.
Sand_Dollar said:
The problem with A&P is it is a two semester class. I don't know if you will be able to take the entire course in the summer, online or otherwise.

When I went to community college, they had two summer sessions. Each lasted a month. A&P 1 was offered in the first session, and A&P 2 was offered in the second session. Maybe the OP could look around and see if any CC's near them offer this. The thing is, A&P is an extremely popular class to take in the summer, and they fill up VERY quickly. Act fast!!

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Well I have to take the class in the fall along with my nursing courses so I assumed it may be easier online :/ I'm not sure though. Like I said I previously had anatomy at my last college but it just didnt transfer so I was thinking maybe I could do it since I made a B in it the first time I took it... So of the ones that took it online how did you do in the class overall?

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Specializes in Private Practice- wellness center.

I took A&P online and really enjoyed it. And yes, I learned a LOT too. However, I made sure to spend a LOT of time studying. You get out of online classes what you put into them, and the instructors also know who's putting in the time. :D

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Specializes in PICU.
ScottE said:
No, but I don't recommend taking any classes online. It's just not the same as going to class and I don't think people learn as much.

Research has shown that students DO learn as much in an online format as they do in class. Some people may not like online classes, but that's a whole different issue. Online classes do not affect your ability to learn the content. Personally, I took A & P online because my work schedule didn't allow going to classes. I loved it and learned a lot. I see no reason not to take them online. It will definitely help manage doing those classes along with the nursing classes.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Clinical Documentation Specialist.
bdm2010 said:
Well I have to take the class in the fall along with my nursing courses so I assumed it may be easier online ? I'm not sure though. Like I said I previously had anatomy at my last college but it just didnt transfer so I was thinking maybe I could do it since I made a B in it the first time I took it... So of the ones that took it online how did you do in the class overall?

I have had online (ccconline) and regular classes and to be honest, my online classes were WAY more work. In online classes you have no real way to show your knowledge except by describing things in detail. In A&P we had wicked weekly lab reports, often running 15 pages that would take me 20 hours to write up. In my online classes the exams were always open book and timed, but that never meant easy - often you had to think in depth rather than just rote memorization. In an online class, it is strictly up to you to learn the information. So, for the online classes I'd go through the text cover to cover, but I find in the regular classes I rarely need to even open it. When I took my first in person class (pharmacology), I was expecting it to be way more challenging than it was.

I did my entire A.S. online and graduated with a 4.0. I had a year of additional pre-reqs (biochem, pharm, patho...) and I am now in my first semester of a BSN program and have still maintained my GPA.

If you have the determination to take the class online coupled with great organizational skills, you should do just fine. However, if you need a teacher to instruct you rather than working your way through the material alone, you might want to reconsider - you really need to KNOW A&P.

Good luck no matter how you take the class!! ?

~SD

PS. I found the worst thing about online classes were the discussions, they were so tedious I wanted to scream.

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I have taken biology classes online, and generally they suck. BUT, I have retained so much from my class, I was surprised. Since I had to teach myself the information, there was less cramming. I would say take it IF you are extremely motivated and have lots of time to devote to it. A&P is hard, as you will remember! Good luck!

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