A&P Hype

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I see a lot of hype over this class. I understand why, but is it considered a difficult class? Any tips for when I take it? Is it common for schools to offer anatomy as one class and physiology as another? Thanks. :)

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I am so glad you posted this because i am wondering the same. I will be entering college for the first time this fall and i don't know how to feel about this class. I took Cosmetology in high school and we had an anatomy & phisiology chapter to cover which was a bit difficult and i can only imagine how hard it would be in a class that solely covers this subject. I'm still have my notes, tests and study guides that i plan to use as a refresher. I wish you the best of luck in this class when you take it!

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I never thought of this as a hard class per say. The hard part for me was the massive amount of memorization that the class required over a short period of time.

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Many schools will offer A&P in a two part series. ie A&P I and A&P 2.

Other schools may offer an anatomy class with dissection lab and then a separate physiology class.

Then, each program may have different requirements for nursing prerequisites. One nursing program may only require A&P I while another may require A&P I and II. The ADN program I am attending required one course of A&P and that is it.

As far as the difficulty of A&P, that really comes down to how well you can memorize and retain structures and functions of the body. You will have to find the adequate amount of study time and methods that work best for you. Personally, my study method for A&P was to show up to every lecture/lab, read the textbook, study the powerpoints, utilize the videos on the textbook's website, utilize open lab to study models/dissections, and group study. It is important you actually learn and retain the material because it will be utilized throughout nursing school and on the job. You will do just fine if you show up to all lectures/labs and put in plenty of study time. Good luck!

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I would also like to add that many nursing schools put a lot of weight on A&P grades for acceptance to the program. I also noticed that the people who showed up, participated in lab, and attended group studies are the same people that attained an A/B. Those same people were accepted to the nursing program. The others that didn't take it as seriously are the ones who received the "we're sorry you were not accepted this year" letter. Also check out some of the professor review websites. Choose a professor that has quality reviews and that can make all the difference.

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I agree with the above posts, there is a tremendous amount of reading and memorization. The good news is a lot of it is very fascinating. The book literally starts out with the smallest element, an atom, and builds from there. It will take you through atoms combining to make cells. cells dividing to make tissues, tissues combining to make organ systems. All the while you will be learning about all the chemicals being transported in and out of cells and how cells divide... and how they sometimes mutate into things like cancer. The book will take you through the entire human Anatomy and how it repairs itself, and how age effects the body, and how chemicals and cells inside your body play a role. It also covers DNA / RNA and Homeostatic Controls within your body..... Very interesting indeed. Just remember, everything is related and one chapter generally builds off the chapter before it. Try to visualize the whole process from the atom to the organ, it helps.

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I'll most likely have to do it online. My community college is odd and makes it into two seperate classes. Not sure if I like that.

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Specializes in Operating Room.
I agree with the above posts, there is a tremendous amount of reading and memorization. The good news is a lot of it is very fascinating. The book literally starts out with the smallest element, an atom, and builds from there. It will take you through atoms combining to make cells. cells dividing to make tissues, tissues combining to make organ systems. All the while you will be learning about all the chemicals being transported in and out of cells and how cells divide... and how they sometimes mutate into things like cancer. The book will take you through the entire human Anatomy and how it repairs itself, and how age effects the body, and how chemicals and cells inside your body play a role. It also covers DNA / RNA and Homeostatic Controls within your body..... Very interesting indeed. Just remember, everything is related and one chapter generally builds off the chapter before it. Try to visualize the whole process from the atom to the organ, it helps.

Very good detailed description! :-)

I must agree that it's a lot of reading and memorization. I'd go as far as saying you can't progress through the course without a grasp and understanding of the previous material covered in previous chapters. My A&P courses were divided- A&P I covered bones and muscles, mainly a lot of memorization; however, A&P II was a little more difficult (in my opinion) because there were more physiological processes. Outlines and flash cards will become most helpful!

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I just finished A&P 1 with a C. It was the most stressful class I have ever taken. The content is not hard, it is just SOOOOO much in such a short period of time. I should have taken it in the regular 16 week semester, and my biggest mistake was taking the lecture online. I will never again take a science online. It is just not for me.

I will have to take it again, which stinks, but I need the A in this class.

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The class is not hard but it is a lot of studying. I recommend finding a good teacher. No, not necessarily easy, but someone who is good at explaining the material. It can make all the difference.

Also, study every day. If you break it up and "chunk" the information, it'll be better. Example: my class was every Monday & Wednesday from 11-2. So much material was covered that I would feel overwhelmed by the end of class. But between Wednesday & Monday, I would cover a few pages of notes at a time & feel much better by the time I came to class on Monday morning.

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Specializes in Hospice.

I can't imagine taking it online, especially with the lab portion. I took the first A & P in a five week summer session and passed, barely, with a C. The second one I took in a regular session and got an A. The material is extensive, the book is gigantic and covers both A/P I and II. I thought it was the biggest textbook I had ever seen, until I got my Fundamentals of Nursing book! McGraw Hill offers on online tutorial with the book but it is soooooo time consuming, and it was required as homework in A & P I. It wasn't required by my second professor, and I got a better grade in that class, so I'm unsure if the tutorials helped. I would recommend doing all the reading, doing all the self tests, even using quizlet for A & P. Use extra time in the lab and really memorize the muscles and bones and arteries and veins and organ systems and nervous system. That is what you will use more in nursing than cell biology, although you do have to know it for the class.

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Its a lot of info. You have to find out your best way of studing. I didnt figure this out till the end and I ended up with a B. It is stressful but I also had a baby who kept getting up so everytime I tried to study (only able to at night) id run back and forth to my room trying to get her back to sleep...20 mins later...AWAKE! Lol. So stressful I swear.

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