AP2 before AP1?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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This is a two-part question!:D

1. AP2 before AP1? My A&P two-semester course is 15 yrs old. I believe I got an A or A- in it, and hopefully some of the knowledge is still in my brain somewhere. I am planning on re-taking it. I was late to the game in coming to this decision. I want to take it at Clovis - have decided to take it at Clovis, as a matter of fact.

A&P 1 online filled up while I was dithering away trying to figure out if I wanted to take it. A&P 2 has 10 spots left in the 16-wk class and 5 in the 8-wk class. I am considering registering for it. A&P 1 is recommended but not required.

What do you think?

2. Chem 113 within 5 yrs is recommended, not required. My Chem classes are also 15 yrs old. Do you think the Chem is really necessary if you have taken this particular class at Clovis?

Thanks for any opinions/advice.

Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

I can't answer your question specifically for Clovis, as I don't know that program. However, based on what you've written, I can tell you that I think you should retake those classes you took 15 years ago. My first A&P classes are 20 years old, and even though I got a B and A respectively the first time around I just retook them this summer (got A's on both this time around). I don't regret retaking it at all, I benefited immensely from a refresher and I now have more current grades for it. I would hesitate to apply to a nursing program that does not require your nursing prereqs to have been completed within the last several years. One other thing, if you retake A&P, you're bound to find a few new things I am sure.

Yeah I am definitely retaking them. I am just wondering if taking A&P 2 this semester and A&P 1 next term is a recipe for disaster or do-able, esp since I have been exposed to the information before.

Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.
Yeah I am definitely retaking them. I am just wondering if taking A&P 2 this semester and A&P 1 next term is a recipe for disaster or do-able, esp since I have been exposed to the information before.

Since you took the class before, it MAY not be much of an issue actually. There are a couple of topics that are covered in A&P2 (specifically action potential and active transport of some organ systems) which require understanding the comprehensive explanation explained in A&P1. My A&P2 actually started with the autonomic nervous system and I think I would have been a little lost had I not pretty much ended A&P1 with the discussion of the peripheral and central nervous systems. To be honest, I was secretly shocked at how much I could not remember from the first time I took it and I am still wondering whether I learned it the first time anyway (I probably studied more efficiently the 2nd time around as well).

If you think you could handle taking the sequence backwards, I would however check with the schools you're applying to as to whether this will look "strange" to them when they review your app and transcripts.

Not sure how your school is structured, but mine was anatomy and then physiology. If that is the same progression and you were good at chemistry, I would say go for it. While it does help if you do not have to memorize body parts, physiology is different. It covers more of the processes. Just remember if you do not take it now, you will definitely be 1 semester back in your prereqs. However, do not overload yourself if you do take it, just in case you need extra study time.

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