Anatomy and physiology too old!!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, School Nursing, Pre/post op and PACU.

Hello!!

I am hoping to apply for an accelerated BSN program at Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis in the fall. However, the school says my anatomy and physiology are too old (they have a 7 year rule and I took them 8 years ago). Besides testing out through a CLEP/DANTES test, is there a way to show that I used these skills through job experience over the years? Has anyone else had an experience like this and what did you do?

Thanks!

:bowingpur

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Specializes in DD, HHC, Med Surg, PCU, Resource.

I don't really have an answer for you, but thought I'd mention at my school when you CLEP you receive a C for the class. In that case you'd be better off retaking the class. A C in ANP would not get you in a program at my school. I do not know of any alternatives to CLEP.

Good Luck to you!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, School Nursing, Pre/post op and PACU.

Wow! They didn't tell me that!! To be honest, I have already convinced myself to bite the bullet and take them over the summer. It would be great review anyway, right? :D

Thanks for being that to my attention!! :idea:I will ask them if that is true for the school I am applying to this fall.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

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More and more schools are now making the limit three years instead of five or seven. I have never agreed with this, but that is the way it is. I guess you just need to bite the bullet and retake the classes. At least, you only have to do this for these two classes. Some schools have this restriction on several other classes also. Nothing more than a money making ploy for higher education.

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The (sensible, IMHO) "expiration date" on science credits is because new developments happen so quickly in the hard sciences, and if someone took (for instance,) A&P a long time ago, that info is seriously outdated. As for work experience "counting" toward the requirement, A&P isn't about using "skills," it's about the knowledge -- and I've never yet been in a nursing setting where we sat around on our breaks discussing new developments in A&P (or organic chemistry, or anything else that doesn't get published in People ... :))

I still remember being v. impressed when, in my first day of physiology in nursing school a hundred years ago, the professor had us all take out our brand-new, new edition textbooks, open them to various pages, and "X" out those pages -- because, in just the few years that it from writing the book to the actual, physical volumes getting into our hands (and that does take a few years), some of the information in the textbook was already completely outdated and wrong.

It's not about making money for the school -- it's about up-to-date information. Shakespeare, French, and art appreciation don't change; A&P, chemistry, biology, physics, etc., change every year, and a course from even a few years ago is seriously out of date. I think that a 5-year rule is v. reasonable.

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Specializes in Med-Surg and L & D.

my a & p had expired by approximately 2-3 months and my school allowed me to "test out". no it was not a clep. i was extremely grateful at the time. it allowed me to start with the next group of students. it also made it much more difficult for me. i have to admit that there was much that i did not remember and i would have to review with each new chapter as we studied the different systems of the body in regards to nursing. i would not recommend that course of action to anyone...there is a reason for their "expiration" dates. i am not saying that everyone would have the same difficulty, i am just saying to think it through before you jump into classes that rely heavily on that previous learning. just my :twocents:.

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Specializes in SRNA.

I think an important point that needs to be addressed is the fact that the if your only two options are two retake the courses or test out of them, then that's about it. Schools are never terribly flexible with students who taken an argumentative stance regarding finding a way around policies. If their policy is inflexible regarding these circumstances, I'm afraid you'll have to choose one of these two options or choose another school/program. :o

However, I also agree with elkpark that there are very valid reasons for course expiration policies due to the fact that the sciences are dynamic and ever-changing (as is nursing), and most of the schools here in Southern California apply a 5-year expiration rule.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, School Nursing, Pre/post op and PACU.

Wow, great ideas everyone! You are right, it would be to my benefit to retake A & P to refresh my memory. I think I was in a panic over it for a second but now I know it will only help me. I think I was mad at myself for not getting on this earlier in my life. Thanks for the input. Here we go again...:yeah:

OH, as a FYI...at least at this school, taking the DANTES/CLEP tests would lower my admin. GPA so forget that!!

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I think you're making a good choice and hope, for your sake, that you'll enjoy the course! Best wishes! :balloons:

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