Juggling Anatomy and Nursing I

FutureNurse2005 · Jan 15, 2005

i'm taking both this semester, and i'm terrified! I cannot miss one class or I will be way behind! I find myself getting up early to study, and studying in all of my spare time pretty much. as well, I take short breaks so I dont get flustered. I plan out my study time a week in advance. That way I know when i'm doing what.

Its going to be a very tough semester for me, but it will be worth it!

good luck!

klone, MSN, RN · Jan 16, 2005

I actually found A&P to be much more challenging than Nursing I, so that's where my primary focus lay. For the nursing course, I mainly just read through lecture notes and then read the appropriate chapters the day before the test. With A&P, I had to read the textbook daily in order to keep up and not be totally lost.

sabrn2006 · Jan 16, 2005

Last semester I took A & P I and Nursing together. I found the nursing classes much more interesting and spent more time preparing for them. My A & P grade could have been better because of this. I am changing my approach for this semester (beginning 1/18) when I will take A & P II and nursing courses. I plan to look over my A & P notes each day for even 15-20 minutes and to make note cards as I go. I suggest you do not wait until the last minute to study for quizzes and tests. There is a lot of memorization required when compared to the concept learning of nursing. PM me if you want more detailed information. Good luck!! :)

RedSox33RN · Jan 16, 2005

I will be taking Nursing 102 (Med/Surg) and A&P 2 together, starting Tuesday. May I say I'm NOT looking forward to it, though I've heard how great the A&P prof is. What I really don't like is the lab schedule - or lack thereof. All the people at my college taking A&P-type courses are nursing students, and two of the labs are scheduled DURING clinical days. My only choice for lab was my day off, on Friday. So I now have to travel 5 days a week - 2 1/2 hours travel time for a 2 hour lab. Blah.

I'm kicking myself now for not getting it done earlier, but the tech school I used to go to had the classes fill up so quickly, or I could get into the lecture but not the lab, which was pointless, since I need the lab credit.

This will be a LONG semester!

foxfire65 · Jan 17, 2005

I don't understand why any school would make you take those together?? In my school it is a pre req A & P I, and A & P II, Micro, you must take these before you can even apply for the nursing program. I am taking A & P I this semester, and Microbiology, my second pysch class and Medical Math, in the summer I will take A & P II, and apply for the Jan. 06 Nursing program. I have to take Pathophysiology in the fall. Well good luck to those of you who do have to take it that way. What helps me is to make sure at least two hours a day are devoted to studying on each subject. It does help. Hang in there.

=wannaBEanRN]I will be taking Nursing 102 (Med/Surg) and A&P 2 together, starting Tuesday. May I say I'm NOT looking forward to it, though I've heard how great the A&P prof is. What I really don't like is the lab schedule - or lack thereof. All the people at my college taking A&P-type courses are nursing students, and two of the labs are scheduled DURING clinical days. My only choice for lab was my day off, on Friday. So I now have to travel 5 days a week - 2 1/2 hours travel time for a 2 hour lab. Blah.

I'm kicking myself now for not getting it done earlier, but the tech school I used to go to had the classes fill up so quickly, or I could get into the lecture but not the lab, which was pointless, since I need the lab credit.

This will be a LONG semester!

CarVsTree · Jan 17, 2005

For those of you that had the unfortunate time of taking anatomy and physiology with nursing I. Please give me some tips. My school has scared me half to death. The passing rate with both of the classes together, is pretty low only about half. Should you put nursing first and leave anatomy or is there a way to juggle both. HELP????

I took both and it was not a problem at all. It was a lot of work, but it is quite doable. Just keep up with your reading and studying everyday. You can't cram for A&P or Nursing.

I almost forgot... Learn your "neighborhoods" in Anatomy. The names will be similar for cardiac, venous, arterial systems and even for parts of organs based on location. For example the cortex of the brain and the cortex of the kidney are the outer parts. The renal arteries go to the kidneys.

I also found that what we were learning in A&P was reinforced in Nursing. Kind of made it come alive.

You can do it!!! Good luck!

loriannlpn · Jan 17, 2005

For those of you that had the unfortunate time of taking anatomy and physiology with nursing I. Please give me some tips. My school has scared me half to death. The passing rate with both of the classes together, is pretty low only about half. Should you put nursing first and leave anatomy or is there a way to juggle both. HELP????

I have A&P I and Nursing I last semester and I found it helpful to outline chapters and carry my info with me where ever I went. I have A&P II and NursingII this quarter and I is more challenging to get the outline done, and having time to make 5 + care plans, drug logs and Data collection sheets. But,I use my weekends to do most of it. I learn from typing it or writing it... so, it worked for me... Good Luck!!!!!

I to help with Dx,Tx and Ph, I remembered dirty things or made my own words to help me remeber..

jamieljoh · Jan 17, 2005

I took both and it was not a problem at all. It was a lot of work, but it is quite doable. Just keep up with your reading and studying everyday. You can't cram for A&P or Nursing.
I almost forgot... Learn your "neighborhoods" in Anatomy. The names will be similar for cardiac, venous, arterial systems and even for parts of organs based on location. For example the cortex of the brain and the cortex of the kidney are the outer parts. The renal arteries go to the kidneys.
I also found that what we were learning in A&P was reinforced in Nursing. Kind of made it come alive.
You can do it!!! Good luck!

I will agree with Sue.......thats exactly what i was goin to say

Good Luck!!

RNSuzq1, RN · Jan 17, 2005

I will agree with Sue.......thats exactly what i was goin to say
Good Luck!!

I also agree with Sue - it is hard taking them together, but many of us are proof that it can be done. Last Semester I found that what we were learning in A&P was connected to the Chapters we were learning in Nursing (so that was a huge help). A&P is a lot of memorization, but it's also extremely interesting to learn how the body works from the cells right on through each system.

Besides A&P II, I'm also taking Dev. Psych. this semester dealing with Lifespan, which is exactly what we are doing in Nursing (infancy on up), so the classes are all linked together and much easier to study that way.

I know some schools require all these courses to be out of the way before you apply, but mine and many others do not. We have 5 Semesters of Nursing along with a certain number of "co-reqs" that must be completed each Semester to go on to the next. You can take the "co-req's" before you apply or while you're taking the actual nursing classes, it's up to you.

I'm an older student and had all my English, Psych. I, humanities, Bio/Chem, etc. at another college and honestly (because of my age and family obligations), did not want to spend a year or so working on the co-req's and then perhaps not be accepted into a Nursing Program. So, last year I took a chance and applied to a Program, went through the very lengthy admissions process and was accepted. After this Semester, besides my Nursing Courses, the only other course I'll have is Micro. this Summer. Yes, taking the extra courses is a lot of extra work and time, but it can be done if you want it bad enough.

fry.girl · Jan 17, 2005

Don't get freaked out...this can be done. I finished both with an "A"... during the first month it took some adjusting to get everything balanced. I was just pulling down a "B" after the first set of exams, but by the end of the semester I had a handle on both and did fine.

Best of Luck to you! :)

Cheri

purplemania, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2005

Do not pay attention to pass rates. They apply to other people, not you (or so I keep telling myself). Anatomy is probably the harder of the two courses due to all new terms, etc. but it so much depends on the individual. The important thing about nursing school is to make it a priority in your life. You might have to tell friends and family to respect your need for study time and then guard that time!!! Stay in contact with instructors, find a study group, seek out all resources. Use your advisor as an advisor (most people just talk to them prior to registration, but the advisor can be a good ally). Good luck. You can do it.