Bio 101 (again) vs. A&P in fall '05

dmrnurse · Jul 31, 2005

O2BRN,

I had a non-healthcare degree and career before I returned to school last summer to complete NS prerequisites. A&P I was my first class back and it had been almost 20 years since my last biology class. The good news: I got an A in A&P I and A&P II. The bad news: I studied a lot for that first A&P class. I struggled with finding an effective way to study, being out of school for so long. And it was a lot of material that I either never knew or only very vaguely remembered. If you have the motivation and time to put in the studying hours you can certainly do it. My professor recommended 1 - 2 hours of study time every day outside of class, which I think I spent. I read the chapters before class then reviewed them after the lecture. I also did all of the review questions that I could find both in my text and on my text's web site and went to every open lab for the lab portion of the class. More good news, once I got my study routine down and figured out the professor's teaching/testing patterns, the class got easier. And, when I took organic chemistry and microbiology, the foundation that I got from A&P helped a lot with certain topics like respiration, Kreb's cycle, urea cycle, and the immune system.

So, if you have the time and drive, you can definitely go straight into the A&P class.

Good luck!!

Fun2, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2005

I took A&P 1 back in '91, so I had to retake it this past spring. Granted it was A&P, but how much can you remember in that amount of years w/o using it on a daily basis?

My point is, I wouldn't waste my time or money taking biology, but it really depends on what you feel you can do and how much time you can put into memorizing and learning. Utilize websites, resource rooms, tutoring, etc, make flashcards, CDs of you notes that you listen to all the time in the car, etc.

Do what you need to make the grade. (NursingJourney.com is my site, and I think the powerpoints will help you with the lab portion.)

Good luck in your decision, and your future career. :)

BoonersmomRN · Jul 31, 2005

I only took Bio 110 ( Molecular+Cell) at my school because I had to to get into A+P. In all honesty, as much as I despised the class royally....I used a lot of that knowledge in the beginning of A+P I ( not so much A+P 2). However, I dont think you *need* to take it...it just helped. It wasn't anything that I don't think I couldn't have learned by just reading, etc myself. If your Bio 101 is the same as Molec/Cell then I think you will find the same type thing...so I say if you can get into A+P 1 without it...and you have faith that you can learn it then go for it.

o2BRN · Jul 31, 2005

Thanks for all the good advice! It helps to get others opinions. I think I'm going to go for it (if there's even room in the class for me).....I know I need to get a good grade, so I'm determined to do whatever it takes!

Thanks :idea:

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 31, 2005

If you feel confident about A&P, then definetly go for it. But if you don't then take Bio first so that you can get your feet wet and tackle them both. Best wishes to you. :wink2:

smk1, LPN · Jul 31, 2005

if you have a good schedule for study time and you have a pretty good memory, then i think you can go staright int o A&P. Check out a book from the library and read up on cell parts and anatomy terms, so that you are a little familiar with the lingo.

JessVanDyke · Aug 1, 2005

Hi,
I'm trying to decide whether to take Bio 101 again or go straight into A&P in the fall. I had Human Bio. way back in 1986, (don't really remember a thing about it). After speaking with the A&P instuctor at our school, she's willing to let me into her class this fall if there's room. She warned me that it'd be "like jumping into the lion's cage". I haven't been in school for about 10 yrs., but I'm ready to challenge myself, use my brain, & work hard. I know I need to get an A in this class in order to get accepted into NS. Should I re-take Bio 101? Do I really need to repeat it? A friend who's going through NS thinks it wouldn't be necessary for me to take it again. Any input would be great!

I would check with the nursing schools you're planning on applying to. I know the nursing schools here don't accept science courses taken over 10 yrs. ago.

Jessica