A&P1 & A&P2 over the summer

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I'm sure this has been asked many times before but I'm curious what your opinions are on taking A&P over the summer. My sciences are really the only classes I have left before reapplying to a nursing program. I was accepted last year to a BSN program but decided it was best to take all of my pre reqs at our community college vs paying 30,000 a year. The summer classes are a month long going to class MTWTH from 5:30-9:30p at night. I don't need to work but I'm a stay at home mom to 3 kids. I have been getting mixed opinions regarding it some say its hell so they rather suffer for one month rather than 3. The other option is to only take one A&P course over the summer at that class would be 06/06-end of August meeting twice a week from 5:30-9:30P.

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I took both A&Ps back to back in the summer (5 weeks per class), and it is tough, but doable. The advantages are that you only have one class to focus on, and everything is fresh in your head throughout the semester. Memorization is key in A&P, and keeping up with studying is crucial in such a short semester. Watch out for burnout, though. I had only a 3 day break between summer 1 and summer 2 semesters, so by the 4th week of A&P II I was pretty burned. I also didn't have kids or a job to worry about. Good luck!

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I took Physiology over last Summer, 6 weeks and recall sitting in the lounge before class and 2 kids from the AP2 class were in the lounge going ape **** about how they wished they didn't take it over the summer and highest grade in the class at that point was an 82. For me personally, and knowing who the professors are that teach both courses, no way.

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Specializes in Women's Health.

A&P is a LOT of material, and I don't think 5 weeks does the course justice, whether or not anyone would want to deal with taking it in such a condensed amount of time. If you're time and financially strapped, then you have to do what's right for you, but if you have options, I don't recommend doing it, for your own education. If you take the courses during normal semesters and study hard, I believe you'll get more out of it, and the subject is the foundation of any nursing career.

Just my two cents :)

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Specializes in Oncology, OCN.

In a class that meets for 4 hours 4 days a week over 5 weeks? No, I wouldn't. I'm close to halfway through A&P I in an online class over 8 weeks. That I find very doable so far. I started with another online class still in progress which I rushed to complete early to remove the distraction. I much prefer to manage my own study time around my busy work and social schedule. Working well so far for me, on track to getting an A in the class right now. If it's offered (still haven't checked) I'll sign up for A&P II in one of the summer sessions.

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Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.

I wouldn't. I also have three kids but I work as well, A+P 2 condensed was HELL. I have a 3.96 too so I'm not a slacker. I withdrew from the condensed version, took the normal class last semester, scored an easy A. I wanted to really digest the info, summer courses were just memorize what you can and go.

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Specializes in Oncology, OCN.
I wouldn't. I also have three kids but I work as well, A+P 2 condensed was HELL. I have a 3.96 too so I'm not a slacker. I withdrew from the condensed version, took the normal class last semester, scored an easy A. I wanted to really digest the info, summer courses were just memorize what you can and go.

I guess you're educational background is also a big factor in this. I already have a BS in Biology so a lot of the information covered in A&P is review for me so far. The class does go into further detail in some areas than I previously covered in my Gen Bio, Cell Molecular, Zoology, Intro to Animal Physiology, and Comparative Endocrinology classes did but I have the basics. Of course it's been 12-16 years since I took these classes but I did really learn it back then. So maybe I'm not the best example. It's been easy for me but science, biology specifically, is my thing.

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I'm taking A&P 1 and 2 and Microbiology.. PLUS history and Statistics. The A&P classes have been completed in 8 week segments. I finished A&P 1 with an 83, and currently passing A&P 2. Microbiology is a full 16 weeks, but Statistics is 8 weeks. Keep in mind- I really do not have a life outside of school.. I mainly do homework all the time and we have a test at least every other week. It IS do-able. I thought I was going to be attending UTHSC this Fall which is why I have the heavy course load this semester, but I'm reapplying for the Spring and I don't regret taking these classes like that. You just NEED to be dedicated and ready to work. You also can't listen to the people telling you you're crazy for taking classes like this- they'll get in your head. It's basically like you're running a marathon throughout the whole class. Focus on your own success and you can do it.

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Thanks or all the replies. I agree it's a hard call as we all learn differently. I think at this point I'm going to say that the 5 week classes are out. I want to actually be able to understand what I'm learning as I will need this information to help with my other sciences. I'm looking into taking the A&p1 course that is from May-August. Do you think this is doable? It will be the only class I take. I'm not in a huge hurry as I'm a stay at home mom and have been taking classes slowly since I had my oldest in hopes to have a degree when it's time for me to go back to work. I just want to get this sciences going as I fear them.

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