Intrigued by this Coursera Vital Signs Course

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So I watched my first 4 lectures online last night for the Coursera vital signs course. It is basically anatomy and physiology and we learned all about the heart, its chambers, vessels and how it works and also learned the basics on reading an EKG. I wanted to keep going through all of the lectures, i was so interested but i decided to go to bed. Tonight ill fet into monitoring heart rate etc. Is anyone else taking this course? What do you think? I am taking AP 1 in the fall and think that taking this course will really put me ahead!

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I am also taking this course. I have already completed A&P 1 and 2, and will be starting my nursing classes in the fall. I decided to take this course to help review some of the things from A&P and to help tie them into the actual nursing process (we did not learn things like where to take pulses in A&P). I watched all of this week's lectures already and I really am enjoying the course so far. I like the way the professor takes the time to really explain everything. I do think it will be a good head start for you to do this course before taking A&P. A&P 1 has an overwhelming amount of information to learn and this course will give you a good solid foundation to build on going forward.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day, Ariana214:

I'm taking the class. I've completed AP1 and AP2. So far most of the material is from AP1 (some schools might have put heart and circulation in AP2; ours it was in AP1). My only disappointment is lack of lecture outlines or PowerPoint.

Thank you.

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Specializes in ICU.

I'm also taking it and have already taken A&P I and II. You have to remember this is for lay person so there will be a lot of basic anatomy in the first few weeks before they get into the nitty gritty. I am also taking the neurobiology course right now and we are in week 4 and I really like it.

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Yes I agree about the lack of lecture notes. They dont put all of the terminology on the screen but Ive been keeping up...I think. I havent taken AP yet so its all new to me.

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I am taking this course too :)! I haven't done any work yet, but am looking forward to it. I have finished all of my prerequisite courses for my RN program and have been accepted to start next Fall 2015 (I live in CA so the community colleges out here have long waiting lists). I am taking this course to pass the time and learn new and interesting things :)

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day:

I've found turning on the captions for the videos to be extremely helpful. That way you see what they are saying in writing plus hear the words. In the forums, some one posted a document with all of the screenshots; and, that is also very helpful.

Thank you.

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I didnt realize that you could do that...thank you

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I'm taking the course too! So far it's been a lot of information to take in in one week but no more than an actual summer course. The discussion board has been an interesting read too. It's been about 2 years since I've taken an A&P course so a refresher will be nice before fall when I take advanced A&P for a pre-req. I posted about this in the forum as well, but if anyone is curious about the textbook being used I am almost positive that it is Pearson's Anatomy and Physiology. The diagrams are almost identical to the ones found in the fourth edition that I have. If you're looking for a text to study in addition to the course (or even just for general knowledge!) I highly recommend getting a used version. It's one of the best textbooks I've ever read, to be honest.

Is anyone signed up for other courses this summer? I'm doing, at the very least, "Health for All Through Primary Health Care" and possibly "An Introduction to Global Health". Or maybe the other way around... still have a few days to decide. Plus I'm trying to get all signed up for a local CNA course in June or July but that'll just be a short thing anyway.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day:

So far, just vital signs. I'm starting Physical Chemistry and health and safety in the hospital in early June. Later clinical terminology.

Thank you.

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Specializes in ICU.

I am also taking the clinical terminology class. I finished up week 1 of the vital courses yesterday. I am also taking an intro to forensic science class because I have thought about doing forensics nursing and just wanted to get an intro to it. Not sure if I will stay in this course or not.

I did check out the MIT website and did find some patho and pharm classes. Looking into that also.

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Professor Fink on YouTube also has a semester's worth of both anatomy and physiology lectures and notes. That's how I'm reviewing for the fall.

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