Im scared out of my mind for Anatomy

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hi guys

I'll be starting with my first nursing prerequisite class anatomy this fall and I'm so scared, never taken any of these classes I usually have to study extra hard and work extra hard for my grades. I work full time as a LVN on the med/Surg floor at a hospital. Any suggestions as to how to study or what to expect would really help. Thnk you! ?

Specializes in Med/surg, Telemetry/PCU, Bone & Joint.

My advice for taking A&P, and even harder, Micro, is to take them over the summer either by themselves or with just one other (very easy) class. Both classes require a lot of time, studying and memorization. Good luck!

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To get a jump start on A&P, if you have the time, you can start learning a few things now so when the class starts you will have a bit of a head start...For example we had to to memorize all the bones in the body and the cranial nerves, so you could start looking at that material so that you can focus on more complex concepts when the class actually starts. When you do start the class don't cram, it won't work, set aside time each day to study and make your own note cards (making the cards teaches you more than reading them). Take it seriously, but don't be so scared!

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I didn't find either class so difficult, however, I will say that memorize it all and stick it all in your head. If you can pull off an A and maintain the information nursing classes will be that much easier instead of having to go back and re-learn what/where the AC is....tell yourself stories. Practice with friends in the study lab if you have one (my school had a study lab where we could look at skeletons and separate bones and practice the tests). If you have kids thats GREAT or access to kids...they will usually hold still while you point on them and tell them what bones/veins/arteries/muscles are there...they LOVE that stuff (at least my kids did). Draw and color bones/muscles/veins/arteries/tendons and that helps too. I still remember "LittleEgyptian Children Must Eat Like Me" Lateral epichondial, medial epichondial and can still point to them too! LOL! (pardon the spelling...always lost points for that! LOL!)

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@nurselizzy...I am the same as you...I have to study really hard for a good grade - they dont come easy to me. I have not been to school for 15 years when I decided to go for my RN and was scared out of my mind!

The thing that helped me most, besides reading the material, taking all tests in the book after each chapter and also subscribing to the website for the book so I could take the practice tests, was an anatomy coloring book! The coloring book was a life saver! I learned all of the bones without even going to lab working with them hands-on! I was working full time and did not have the time to come in to lab. On the day of the test I got there an hour early to look at them and KNEW every one of them! Get that book! I got the Kaplan book that also included the muscle flashcards in the back for around $20 at Barnes & Nobles.

Good luck to you!

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A&P is cakewalk compared to Fundamentals in nursing school :p stop cryin' :D
I have to agree with this too! Pre-reqs in general be they micro, biochem or patho are a cake walk with tests that have straight forward answers. Every test and class in pre-reqs got me a simple A...got my first C in funds and literally bawled my eyes out and talked to the dean because I didn't know what I did wrong and I thought I was going crazy. LOL!
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If you can, I recommend taking A&P and Micro by themselves! The science classes are the foundation of your nursing practice, so it is crucial that you have the body systems and structures down cold and most programs are at least in part, based on GPA. In the state where I live, most pre-reqs require at least a "B" but everyone knows that the higher your GPA, the better your chances for acceptance into an RN program.:yelclap: I know it takes a little more time, but it is so helpful later on down the road when you know what landmarks to look for when you are learning new skill sets. The other option is to take one of the social sciences, like sociology or psychology. It is a long, challenging process, but you can do it!!

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I doubt you are a nurse if you have never taken anatomy.

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Specializes in Med/surg, Telemetry/PCU, Bone & Joint.

Most don't take anatomy until they're GOING to school for nursing.

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Most don't take anatomy until they're GOING to school for nursing.

What school did you go to? (not snarky, just curious) Here its a pre-req for every program unless you are going to a private school that encompasses the pre-reqs with the total program.

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Don't stress too much. Just have a game plan for your studying ready and make sure to stay on top of the assignments. You will do just fine.

I found AP1 to be a lot easier than AP2. AP2 was just a lot of straight memorization for us. I took both classes in only 2 weeks each and got As both times.

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The OP said she was a LVN already, going to complete her RN. by this point she should have already completed anatomy before or during LVN school.

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Specializes in Med/surg, Telemetry/PCU, Bone & Joint.

To be an RN still only requires a 2 year degree. Although most schools "encourage" you and some even require, not all make you complete your non-nursing courses before you start the program.

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