Has anyone done A&Ps as a corequisite, rather than beforehand?

[klone]

I'm planning on entering the nursing program next fall. I'll have Micro done the summer before, so that will be out of the way. But I'm planning on doing the A&Ps during first and second semesters in the nursing program, and I wonder if I'm totally insane. They will be online, rather than on-campus, so I think that will help me balance my time a bit better. How bad are they, really? So far, I've got a 4.0 and I'm really good at memorizing things. But I just talked to an RN at a party who said that A&Ps are absolutely the HARDEST classes I'll be taking in the nursing program, and if I don't do them by themselves, I'll be doomed.

[Catma63]

I managed to pull off the first part.

When I began my first semester of nursing school in the Fall, our instructors stressed how important it was to have A & P out of the way before tackling the nursing courses. Made me feel very discouraged. I can recall coming here and asking students if it could be done. Some said yeah...some said OY! Anyhoo, I took the first part of A & P along with Nursing Fundamentals, Health Assessment, Pharmacology, Clinical Lab, clinicals, and worked part-time while being a mom to two grown sons and two seven year old twins.......and I passed.

Part of me said it was a miracle.....part of me said that it's just the result of hard, deligent work. It IS hard! No doubt about it. But it CAN be done if you're determined to do it. Like several have already said, just don't let yourself get behind, manage your time wisely, etc.

I've got the second part with Med-Surg and Nutrition this upcoming semester! Ohhhh, I need a chocolate fix!

[Sheri257]

Originally posted by JENRN2BMICHIGAN

Nope! At my school it can only be taken as a pre-req.

Yep, me too. In fact, I think that's the case with many schools in California. I believe some allow it, but if you haven't finished pre-reqs, you don't get priority for nursing school acceptance. And since waiting lists are common, it has the same effect of making you finish pre-reqs beforehand.

They basically don't want you to be distracted with anything else. They want you totally focused on nursing school.

[Alisha H.E.]

Well, I may be crazy but I'm taking A&P 1 and Nursing 1 at the same time. Along with General Chem and Intro to Psych. but I don't have a job other than house hold stuff - married (my husband is a very successful sales manager and also in school) and a 15 year old daughter, who really is capable of taking care of me!

I really don't have a choice as I see it. I'm salaried for I don't know how much longer and need to be in the work force asap. My parent's business, the source of my income is going under slowly.

I feel as though I'm being persued by a train.

Good luck to you! If you can do it so can I!!!

[suzy253, RN]

Alisha....no you're not crazy. It is do-able and it is difficult. Actually, some of my fellow students who had already taken Anatomy, Dosage, & Psych were in total awe of those of us who were taking a much heavier course load than theirs. I amazed too sometimes!!! Sometimes I still can't believe I passed Anatomy

[Brob]

Hi,

START NOW!!! beg borrow or steal an anatomy textbook....allright don't steal. But you have until next fall start reading now. I just got through my first semester of nursing school taking a full course load and I studied A&P the whole summer prior and it definitly paid off. Use your time wisely it can be done!!!! GOOD LUCK!!!:) :)

[suzy253, RN]

Brob....great great idea.

Get them bones, nerves, muscles, etc. etc. in your head now. It can only help!!!

Cheers, Suzy

[wonderbee, BSN, RN]

Before the days of waiting lists to get into our ASN program, A&PI and intro to chem were the only prerequisite science courses and students got accepted on the basis of only having completed those. So if others went before and did it, I'm sure it can be done.

I guess with the competition being what it is to get into the programs, even though it's not necessarily stated, taking the sciences as co-reqs just isn't done anymore in general.

[shape0fmyheart]

I took none of my classes before I started the program, so I carry about 18 credits per semester. First semester I had A&P, Psych, Math 113, and Nursing. I managed to pull of 2 A's and 2 B's, so it is quite possible! I'm just a bit scared now that the classes are getting harder each semester... but you just need to be devoted.

[marilynmom, LPN, NP]

I agree, start memorizing the major muscles, bones, vessels, etc now because you know you are going to have to anyways. Anatomy is just about all memorization anyways (Physio is not though).

I'm not in Nursing school so I can't comment on nursing classes and pre-reqs. At my school you have to have them all completed before you even have a chance of entering the nursing program...just to competitive.

Good luck!!

Marilyn