Does Anatomy & Physiology help you in nursing?

brianbooth, RN · Jul 24, 2014

In the big shake-up of UK nurse training in 1986, the reckless idiots in charge of it said that nursing was about promoting health, not dealing with sickness. As a result, 'stuff' like A&P was relegated in favour of sociology and similar drivel.

I'm still waiting for a patient to turn up, desperate for an explanation of their health needs in relation to neo-con economics

Carpediem1012, BSN, RN · Jul 24, 2014

In the UK, A&P has been relegated by some universities to a later place in the curriculum, which I believe to be a serious mistake. (It was the first thing we did when I trained, and we would continue to learn about it, in increasing depth, as we progressed.)
I recently had two students nurses to whom I was explaining some very basic stuff about patient positioning in conditions like cardiac failure. I had to stop and take them off for a session on the mechanics of respiration; they were aware of something called the diaphragm, but had no idea about what it did.
My colleagues and I could provide far too many other examples.

We are actually requesting that our college add another pathophysiology class to our curriculum. I agree, we don't get enough of it. I find myself researching on my own time to truly understand disease processes. Those that don't- it shows, and they struggle.

RunBabyRN · Jul 24, 2014

You'll definitely use it. Also, once you get into your desired area of nursing, you'll really need that detailed A&P for your area (like the parts of the bones for ortho, or fetal development for L&D).

If you can't understand how the kidneys work or the valves of the heart, you'll have a VERY hard time in nursing school.

KStudentNurse70 · Jul 25, 2014

Wow, thanks everyone!! Very helpful. I am happy that I understand A&P and very much enjoy it!! The human body is simply amazing.

Raviepoo · Jul 25, 2014

Does a bear defecate in the woods? A&P is the basis of everything. You can't really follow pathophysiology if you don't understand normal physiology. Pathopysiology is what we treat. Do you want to be responsible for treating something you don't understand?

I rocked A&P I and II. My 3rd Semester of nursing school kicked my ego's butt. Your mileage may vary. Nursing classes are not just about what works and how. Prioritization is the root of many correct test answers. In science classes there is one correct answer. In nursing classes you may be asked to select the best answer out of 4 correct ones. It can be maddening.

KStudentNurse70 · Jul 25, 2014

No ego here, I understand that nursing school is going to be hard, my sister graduated from the same program that I am entering two years ago. This is why I am asking this advice because from the post I said I am simply nervous, I do not want to fail! So in knowing this I am preparing myself in every way to be successful and I know how the test questions work that is why I have been studying NCLEX review books. Thanks.

Goddess6 · Feb 4, 2018

Im taking Anatomy and Lab and I wanted to ask for the best way to learn all the histology and memorizing the human bones? reading them and flash cards aren't working... any advice on what worked best?

:x3:

thatgirl2478 · Feb 5, 2018

FYI this thread is almost 4 years old, so the original people may not respond. I'll help as best I can...

The only thing that really works is practice. Practice naming the bones on yourself, your significan other, your kids, etc. If you can get extra time with a lab skeleton all the better. There are also online games/tests/quizes you can use to help learn them. Flash cards DO help, to a certain extent. How about putting the names of the bones on post it's and making a post it note skeleton on the wall? Then you can compare to the diagrams in your book.

If you think memorizing the bones is rough, wait until you get to the muscles... ugh! AOI's are all I think about now!

ItsThatJenGirl, CNA · Feb 5, 2018

FYI this thread is almost 4 years old, so the original people may not respond. I'll help as best I can...
The only thing that really works is practice. Practice naming the bones on yourself, your significan other, your kids, etc. If you can get extra time with a lab skeleton all the better. There are also online games/tests/quizes you can use to help learn them. Flash cards DO help, to a certain extent. How about putting the names of the bones on post it's and making a post it note skeleton on the wall? Then you can compare to the diagrams in your book.
If you think memorizing the bones is rough, wait until you get to the muscles... ugh! AOI's are all I think about now!

And muscles were a breeze compared to nerves. Worst test grade I've ever gotten.

Histology gets easier the more you practice it - there are so many slides out there to study. I always look for the nucleus first, and orient myself from there. Do you have good quality slides available at your school? Quizlet has decent slide photos, and you can make yourself a set on there.

For bones, it was tough. I first memorized what the landmarks were (like foramen = opening, process = protrusion, etc). Then the bones themselves - I learned those by touch and feel on myself. When I would say the name of the bone, I'd touch it. I looked ridiculous taking the test, but it worked.

You'll get there. A&P can feel really overwhelming at first!

thatgirl2478 · Feb 5, 2018

And muscles were a breeze compared to nerves. Worst test grade I've ever gotten.

As far as I can tell, we aren't doing specific nerves in A&P! We had to learn the cranial nerves & the basics of nerve function (sensory in the back, motor out the front... 3 paths up, 2 paths down... how impulses bounce from region to region in the brain etc) but not ID the specific ones. I think we lucked out - or got the short end of the stick depending on how much we need in Nursing School!