Should I retake A&P (soon to be nursing student)

Nursing Students Student Assist

Published

Hi everyone,

I will be starting my MSN program at the end of August. I was wondering how much anatomy and physiology was involved? The last time I took these courses was practically 5 years ago and I am not sure how much I remember.

What would be your recommendations??? Should I buy a book and relearn the material or take a night class?

Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

are you entering a direct entry MSN program or are you already a nurse with some experience?

If you are doing a direct entry program and haven't even thought about A&P in 5 years, then retaking those courses may be a wise decision...

If you are a working nurse and continuing your education to the MSN level then you'll probably be fine with just doing some review.

But with your time constraint -- you don't really have the time to retake these 2 courses... unless you are planning to put off entry until they are completed..

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It's a direct entry program. Thanks for your recommend, 203bravo! I tried taking an online course this summer, but I had a difficult time learning anything science online... There weren't any in class courses that worked with my work schedule, especially during the summer. I just don't want to do poorly in my classes!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

you attempted an online a&p course this summer and couldn't keep up?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I never said I couldn't or didn't keep up. I just said it was not easy learning science online. I felt like I could've learned better or learned more if it was in person class with a professor lecturing.

I guess I'll just take one course at a community college while I do my masters...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical-Surgical/Float Pool/Stepdown.
I never said I couldn't or didn't keep up. I just said it was not easy learning science online. I felt like I could've learned better or learned more if it was in person class with a professor lecturing.

I guess I'll just take one course at a community college while I do my masters...

Is it just me, or are others thinking "why the hell isn't A&P not part of the programs required (and have to have been taken recently and aced) Gen Eds"?!?! :eek: :facepalm: If not, this program already sounds shady...will you graduate with $100,000+ in student loans too? (Promise I'm not trying to be mean, I just...what!?!?)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

I would think the program would either require it as a prereq or include it in their cirriculum. Odd. But yes, as an RN you need a good grasp of A&P. I would either make it work with your schedule, or defer the nursing program until you've taken it.

I'm an auditory learner too, so totally get wanting to take it in person so you can hear the lectures.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I guess both you guys (or girls) didn't read the first/initial message! Am I the one who is facepalming now? 😆

I took A&P 4 years ago going on 5. It has been a long time since I last took both classes, so I wanted (and was recommended) a refresher. Online just didn't work as well as when I took it in class (with the cadavers).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wait, not to derail the subject here, but you worked with cadavers in undergrad A&P...no pig, no cat? Wow!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It's cool. Curiosity is human nature ☺. We had cadavers in anatomy. It was definitely a different experience when you had pictures of body parts vs the real thing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I never said I couldn't or didn't keep up. I just said it was not easy learning science online. I felt like I could've learned better or learned more if it was in person class with a professor lecturing.

I guess I'll just take one course at a community college while I do my masters...

Guess my concern here would be that taking A&P online should have been like a refresher/review if you already had a good understanding of the material by taking it before. If it was difficult for you to learn and refresh your knowledge under these conditions then self-directed review probably will not be sufficient either.

It's understandable that many learn better in an environment where they can hear lectures and ask questions to clarify topics --- I would recommend spending these last few weeks before class starts seeking youtube videos and using Khan Academy videos to help strengthen your core knowledge.

Your nursing instructors will review some A&P but will not have time to reteach it, so it's necessary to go into these classes with a pretty strong foundation.

Best of luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks 203bravo for your recommendations!! It's definitely appreciated. 😊

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment