Is it better to take A&P 1st year or 2nd?

tofutti · Apr 14, 2006

Hi Krither,

I guess I'd have to see a list of all your prereq's, and know your time frame, to give a good answer.

If there's no chem required then yes, jump right into a/p.

Getting A's, if you can, is so important. I'd recommend taking only one hard science class with lab each term, and other misc. courses with it.

I'd suggest taking micro toward the end of your journey because all the chem and a/p you learn beforehand will make it much easier. If you do have to double up, a/p II and micro is doable, but don't take much else on top of it.

As far as what's reading heavy, depends on the teacher. Nothing was as reading heavy as a/p and micro, for me! All the other classes like psych and nutrition were a walk in the park in comparison and I would pair them up any way that works.

My school didn't require chem, I learned what I needed on the fly in a/p and micro and this worked fine. Your mileage may vary.

I know you'll get other suggestions too. Best wishes!

Tofutti

L&D_2b · Apr 14, 2006

Hey guys, I'm a graduating senior, I'll be starting my Pre-reqs this summer, and I've had a few questions and concerns looming around in my mind so I would appreciate you all's input on any OR all of these questions!
1. I'm wondering whether or not I'd do better taking A&P my first year of Pre-Reqs or waiting until my second year?
2. Which classes should I definitely not take alongside A&P?
3. What would be some classes to get out of the way this summer? in case I do A&P this fall?
4. Out of the Pre-Reqs, which are the most reading-heavy? (So that I know to space them out and try not take them at the same time)
5. Would Human Development Life Span and Ecology of Human Nutrition go well together in the same semester or should I take them one after the other?
6. Is taking Microbiology at the same time as A&P a bad idea?
I could really use some insight on these because I'm trying to plan what classes to take in the fall and spring next year, so if anyone could help I'd be so grateful!

You are going to have to ask yourself "how good am I at science"? If the answer is "good", don't worry and dive right in. If your not so good in science, couple A&P with classes that come easy to you (ie, english, math, etc).

I wouldn't take A&P with any other science class. Usually it's best just concentrate on one science class at a time. Nursing selection committee's usually look heavily upon the science grades, so you don't want to mess up those by taking too many science classes together.

A&P is usually a two semester course, so you would need to start on it soon anyway. Do you have the option of taking it this summer? That might be a good idea if it is not an accelerated version since you could concentrate all of your effort on just that class.

In my pre-reqs, I don't think I really had a "heavy" reading course. I'm not good in science, so reading those texts takes me awhile. I would have to say the most writing I did in a course was during English 2. However, each school has different pre-req classes so I'm not sure what yours will be exactly.

I found Human Development to be an easy class for me. However, I have four kids and the child development portion of the class came easy to me because of my experience with my children.

Psychology was another easy class for me. But anyone who has met my parents would agree that I have had years of practice in that area as well:lol2:

Anyway, good luck to you and let me know if I could be of any more help.

--Marci

LAAngelsFan · Apr 14, 2006

I agree with Marci. If you do well in science, then taking A&P your first year shouldn't be a problem. For a lot of the freshmen in my class A&P was their first college science class, so they struggled at first. Once you figure out how to study and what works best for you, then you'll do fine. I remember that the biggest shock for these freshmen was the practical exams, so be prepared. Answers to your questions . . .

1. I had a hard time getting into A&P (classes are always full!), so I would take those classes as soon as possible, if you feel you're ready. The earlier you take them the earlier you can apply to a nursing program, right?

2. I took Chem. with A&P I, and then Micro. with A&P II. Not a big deal, but then again I was a Biology major before I switched to Nursing. I wouldn't recommend it, but it can be done.

3. You mentioned these classes: Human Development Life Span and Ecology of Human Nutrition. Or take some general education classes.

4. By far, I had the most reading in Human Physiology (A&P II).

5. Both are really easy classes at my school. Ask around at your school.

6. I took Micro. and A&P II together. Unless you love science or are in a huge hurry to finish all of your classes, I wouldn't recommend it. Getting an A in all of your science pre-reqs gives you a better shot when applying to nursing programs.

Well, the last thing I'll say is GOOD LUCK! Before you know it, you'll be stressed out about waiting for acceptance letters rather than deciding what classes to take, at least that's how it felt for me. Also, talk to a counselor at your school or people who have taken these classes at your school. Everyone is going to have a different opinion and answer to your questions depending on how things are at their school. Again, GOOD LUCK!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Apr 14, 2006

I agree with jumping right on in. But perhaps you might first just take a semester of general courses like English, Sociology, etc. to get you used to the college experience and to develop some study habits since A&P takes a lot of study. A&P is the backbone of nursing imo, so best to take it early to decide if nursing is truly for you.

Good luck!

Krither · Apr 15, 2006

Okay, so I guess it would also help if I gave a list of my courses! My pre-req's are as follows:

Freshman Comp. I

Freshman Comp. II or Technical Writing

Fund. of Speech

Intro to Philosophy

Human Anatomy and Phys. I

Human Anatomy and Phys. II

Gen. Microbiology

Intro to Chemistry

Chemistry Lab

Human Development Life Span

Ecology of Human Nutrition

General Psychology

General Sociology

Statistics for Psychology

College Algebra

US History 1492-1876

US History 1877-Present

American Government I

American Goverment II

Intro to Computer Education

Visual Arts

I'm also making note of the labs that go with Micro. and A&P as corequisites.

I've been looking at the courses and figured out that a Math class is a corequisite for the Chemistry class and the Chem. Lab is corequisite to the Chemistry class itself. So I'll have to take all three at the same time.

My concern about what year to take A&P stems from my thinking that I won't be fresh on the material if I take it my first year.

I guess I could ask what you guys think about that? I mean is there anyone who felt they really needed to brush up on A&P before or even during the upper division nursing school?

Oh and if it helps to answer my question, I'm taking my prereqs at a university and then applying at a nursing school in my city's medical center.