Is anatomy one of the toughest courses for nursing?

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Hi - I'm currently in the course and can't believe how much time I'm committing to studying. Is this course the one that requires the most study time are are all nursing courses this way? thanks in advance for your posts...

learning the parts of the body is the easy part. learning how they work together and when they are sick, THAT'S the hard part!

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In the beginning it was tough, but once I moved to the front row of the class (less distraction), got involved with class mates who would be reflecting a chapter, study groups, I wasn't afraid to say I don't understand, and I began to spend 4 to 6 hours a day writing and rewriting notes, my grade moved up from a "D" to a "B" within half the semester.

And then, a lot of what we covered, I had in the 5th grade and on into high school. Plus, before deciding to become a nurse I went to school for one year to become a clinical technician (glorified nurse assistant- 20 years experience). So, I had A&P before, and that helped a lot. I suggest you try the strategy I mentioned above that I did, and hopefully, it will help you. Good Luck!:sstrs:

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A & P and Microbiology are the 2 worst courses. In the nursing program, Endocrine, GI, and Cardiology are the worst.

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Anatomy was INCREDIBLY time consuming! I probably spent 20-25 hours a week studying for that class alone. But I got an A!

Physio was just as tough, just a different thought process. I spent almost as much time studying for that as I did Anatomy.

I took Micro over the summer, and wanted to kill myself. But, again, I studied my tail off and got an A.

These grades are EXTREMELY important when applying for programs, so it's worth the time spent studying now to get the pay off later.

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You are absolutely right! It is a fight, for some to accomplish any goal of that magnitude. I finally got an "A" too, fabulous feeling darling, but it didn't come without a fight.

Honey, my hair started growing I was thinking so hard. I kicked tables, pulled and twisted what little hair I did have, accused the instructor of being malicious, lost sleep. Oh yea, it was tough, even after I made the decision to buckle down.

But you know what makes me angry? The one's who say, "Oh it was all easy for me", and then in a very condesending tone they'd say, "I'm so sorry you're having/ had such a hard time." Then when you see them on the floor they look a hot mess. Book smart, but lack the umph for the job. I think the more you have to fight to accomplish and you get it done, all the better the reward in the end.

Kudos to you and all who made it through, and all who are fighting to there to.:clpty:

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Vala, I love you! LOL I, too, hate those people, and I COMPLETELY agree that those are the people who crumble when it gets down and dirty.

If these classes were easy for you, great, but don't get all condescending with those of us who have to actually work hard to succeed. Maybe lend a hand, instead if laying the pity out there. Just sayin'. These classes require that you find a good study buddy (or even just a good vent buddy). I can't tell you how many times I've been taking an exam, and remembered my study buddy quizzing me on exactly what the question before me is asking. So lend a hand up (as opposed to trying to squelch the competition). You may need the help later. You get what you give in life.

Also, I totally agree with Vala's earlier statement about moving to the front of the classroom and rewriting your notes. Drawings also REALLY helped me in anatomy. I could understand the over and under of this and that and the way the muscles lay and the parts of the brain and so forth. I could work through things much better this way.

One more tool I used like crazy- Netter's Atlas of Human Anatomy and Netter's cards. Dr. Netter was an AWESOME medical artist, and his drawings are incredible, and show everything together in a given area, as opposed to JUST the arteries, JUST the veins, JUST the nerves, etc.

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Specializes in Home health was tops, 2nd was L&D.

I worked very hard to do well in A&P. But I also held a study group with other students every week at my home and they all were failing and ended up with a "B". So no I do not mean to "be in anyone's face" Just wanted to say yeah it was hard but not hardest in whole program. And I have been very successful as a RN once I lived thru it. And super congrats to all who succeed!!:yeah:

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:bow:

Vala, I love you! LOL I, too, hate those people, and I COMPLETELY agree that those are the people who crumble when it gets down and dirty.

If these classes were easy for you, great, but don't get all condescending with those of us who have to actually work hard to succeed. Maybe lend a hand, instead if laying the pity out there. Just sayin'. These classes require that you find a good study buddy (or even just a good vent buddy). I can't tell you how many times I've been taking an exam, and remembered my study buddy quizzing me on exactly what the question before me is asking. So lend a hand up (as opposed to trying to squelch the competition). You may need the help later. You get what you give in life.

Also, I totally agree with Vala's earlier statement about moving to the front of the classroom and rewriting your notes. Drawings also REALLY helped me in anatomy. I could understand the over and under of this and that and the way the muscles lay and the parts of the brain and so forth. I could work through things much better this way.

One more tool I used like crazy- Netter's Atlas of Human Anatomy and Netter's cards. Dr. Netter was an AWESOME medical artist, and his drawings are incredible, and show everything together in a given area, as opposed to JUST the arteries, JUST the veins, JUST the nerves, etc.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I want to say that school (any of it) doesn't exactly come easy to me. Some classes were less challenging than others for me.. the sciences are HARD. No way around that for me!

Having said that, I'm sure there are as many great "book" smart nurses as there are ones who struggled for their grades.

Being cocky isn't the way to go as I feel like in any circumstance it'll bite you in the butt.. nobody is great at EVERYTHING.

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So true! No one is perfect. No one. We weren't saying that if you are smart you aren't cut out for the job or, if you struggled through it that makes you a better nurse. No, that's not what was said. What was said was that there are some, that because they didn't have a problem with the courses, such as biology (topic), they carry an air of "arrival".

What made it easy or difficult for one is not what makes that one a good nurse. And, what was said to that affect, was that usually the cocky ones are the ones who fold under pressure; but just because they fold, that still doesn't mean they aren't good nurses. What was also said, was that when you have to fight your way through to success, you tend to be more appreciative of the lessons learned along the way.

How about this, with all that was said it only means that we need each other. That's what makes and compliment a TEAM. :nurse:

My encouragement to you is that you continue to being who you are. Push your way through to succeed in what ever good you set out to do. You've already proven that nothing fails but a try. So, now that you have graduated, I hope your nursing experience is/has become rewarding. Keep your head up, because if you can make it through this then you can make it through anything!;)

I want to say that school (any of it) doesn't exactly come easy to me. Some classes were less challenging than others for me.. the sciences are HARD. No way around that for me!

Having said that, I'm sure there are as many great "book" smart nurses as there are ones who struggled for their grades.

Being cocky isn't the way to go as I feel like in any circumstance it'll bite you in the butt.. nobody is great at EVERYTHING.

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Specializes in Case Manager.

Tag for later.

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Exactly. No one is perfect, for sure. There are plenty of nurses that are awesome at what they do who sailed through A&P, and that's great. I just mean to watch out for the cockiness. We all need to stick together, and help each other out.

So true! No one is perfect. No one. We weren't saying that if you are smart you aren't cut out for the job or, if you struggled through it that makes you a better nurse. No, that's not what was said. What was said was that there are some, that because they didn't have a problem with the courses, such as biology (topic), they carry an air of "arrival".

What made it easy or difficult for one is not what makes that one a good nurse. And, what was said to that affect, was that usually the cocky ones are the ones who fold under pressure; but just because they fold, that still doesn't mean they aren't good nurses. What was also said, was that when you have to fight your way through to success, you tend to be more appreciative of the lessons learned along the way.

How about this, with all that was said it only means that we need each other. That's what makes and compliment a TEAM. :nurse:

My encouragement to you is that you continue to being who you are. Push your way through to succeed in what ever good you set out to do. You've already proven that nothing fails but a try. So, now that you have graduated, I hope your nursing experience is/has become rewarding. Keep your head up, because if you can make it through this then you can make it through anything!;)

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