A&P Instructor Is Trying to Take US Under!

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Oct 15, 2003

I've had 3 exams in a 6 hour day before.

Our last year's a and p class we averaged one test per 3 chapters.

I worked a total of 50 hours with this going on then.

Sounds normal to me.

If she talks too fast, you'll probably have to record her lectures.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Oct 15, 2003

Sounds like typical A&P to me. In comparison, my micro class requires every third week: a concept map/flow chart, a group assignment on "our microbe" covering whatever topic we've been studying, quality control meetings outside of class with our group on our "microbe book" with a sign off sheet by everyone in the group that editing is complete, a quiz on a CDC article, and a guided discussion quiz.

If you think your A&P professor is "out to get you", you might be right. Some professors of the health sciences believe that one of their goals is to weed out those that cannot cut it. In ADN programs where prereqs have to be completed first, it's a quality control measure that I happen to believe in. We need nurses who have a good basic foundation to keep the standards up to a professional level. Just my opinion.

It is tough to work, raise a family and stay in school. I admire and respect anyone who can do it. Try not to get overwhelmed and just take one task at a time rather than look at the whole ball of wax. Good luck.

colleen10 · Oct 15, 2003

I completed all of my pre and co-req's before starting my nursing classes for this very reason.

Still, it doesn't sound anything like the way my program handled things. Our instructors all knew we were working people and so they were very fair about assignments and work load. Also, they would never in a million years "spring" a test on us like that. Everything is scheduled before the semester begins and the syllabus/schedule can only be changed in emergency circumstances with advanced warning to the students.

CarVsTree · Oct 15, 2003

O.k. so the instructor is lacking in lecture. Are the tests based on the book? If so, you're going to have to just study from that.

I suggest you take instructors notes verbatim in class. Then study each section of each chapter until you're able to retain it. For me it helps to look at the instructors explanation and the books. I also make sure to spend extra time studying the figures and tables. Also take any review tests (in the book or online) that are available to you.

As for the load being too much. That is why I am getting my pre-reqs out of the way. Mom to a 2 year old, pt work and nursing school is too much to also handle a&p at the same time.

Next semester I'll be taking my nursing course and possibly Speech Communication. I'll take a&pII in the summer when I have no other courses.

If its not too late to drop the course, you might consider it since it doesn't look like you have a huge chance of passing.

Sorry you're in such a bind.

TheBrainMusher · Oct 15, 2003

I agree with Colleen, usually prof's are a little more understand, I was taking night classes though. I heard day classes where I was taking my pre-reqs were harder (micro, a & p)

Reesa23 · Oct 15, 2003

I'm in the exact same boat right now in my A&P 2 class and cannot take anymore time off of work. I'm already part-time and if I drop lower our family looses it's health insurance. And to me thats a no-no. My husbands job offers crap benifits and I just had brain surgery 7 months ago so I won't take chances. My job at the hospital is already sick of me asking to switch days . I was told at my last review to quit asking for low cencus (where they take you off the schedule if they can do with out you, but no pay) because they need me as part of the team. Blah, Blah, blah. Same crappy situation.

agent · Oct 15, 2003

this is why ill have ap done before i start my first clinical

SirJohnny · Oct 15, 2003

Born2BAnurse:

- Yepper, sounds like typical A&P class.

- I do hope you are putting in your 3 hrs/day memorization for this class.

- Regarding upcomming A&P exam. You know you are going to get slammed on the hormones. Hopefully, these will also be covered in your lab. For lab, I assume the instructor points to an organ and asks what hormone does this gland produce and what does it do.

- That being said. You need to make a study guide for the hormones and study the living crap out of it. Meaning, be able to do a brain dump from total memory.

- Next. Learn the cycle of the lymphatic system.

- Next. Go to that Hole's Anatomy website and download Chapter # 13 (Endocrine) and Chapter #17 (Lymphatic). It's bad when you actually have the page numbers and chapter numbers memorized.

- Also, grab the practice exams. These will steer you to the areas that you need to hit on.

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- With all the above info -- start making your study guide as you go along. Basically, you should be confident that 80-90% of the material on your study guide will be on the exam.

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- Getting back to the instructor from hell.

- If the prof goes to fast - tell them to slow down. I would make a definite federal case about this.

John Coxey

Cynthiann · Oct 15, 2003

At my school, it's hard to get into the program without having your pre-reqs done. We go by point system and you need those points to be competitive enough since the cutoff number is so high.

All my classes sound more like Colleen's. We already know what will be covered and when the test will be.

Born2BAnurse · Oct 15, 2003

Well Thanks everyone But For one think I already have A&P I and II under my belt.. They told me that I had to take this again!!!! Why I dont know... The Instructor like to control and Rule everyone. She is going into this A&P stuff alot deeper than they did at the community college. a lot of the stuff she is teaching either I didnt get or I dont remember.. But I do have the credits from a community college.

and As far as her lecture go.. She gives you all theses notes in class but her exams are totally different.. I just decided to study from the book. I also Look at my A&P book from The community college...

My classmates think I have it easy because I dont work.. I have 4 kids and two of them are not enough to be in school.. I dont get a lot of studing done during the day.. You might as well say that I have a full time job...

Cynthiann · Oct 15, 2003

It cracks me up how some people think it's so easy to be a stay at home mom. Where's the time when you are constantly running after someone cleaning up, changing diapers, feeding, giving a bath, etc. I stay home with two toddlers so I know how you feel. I barely get to study during the weeks so most of my studying is done on the weekends. Which means no time to do anything else