My A&P Elephant

MammaNurse2Be · Aug 10, 2009

That is quite a load. At our school, you can't take other classes when doing the CNA program. Also, how many hours is A&P? I;d talk it over with your advisor. Grades are important so if you can handle that load with maintaining a high average, then go for it.

mmt4 · Aug 10, 2009

Mnemonics help a lot with some of the bones and there is also one for the cranial nerves.

The mnemonics helped me a lot and they really do stick with you.

LovingNurse, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2009

One bite at a time.

Keep your eyes on the prize.

You can do it.

piinkk · Aug 10, 2009

i actually took my anatomy already and got an a on bones test. i could tell you one thing that'll help a lottt, memorize the bones by actually holding the bones in your hands. my school offered this in our lab so i dont know if your school does too but it makes it so much easier because you can visualize the parts clearly. and then when you dont have the bones with you, you can just look at your own hand or leg etc.. and name those parts.

as far as the vertabra.. here's a really easy way i learned it from top to bottom.

7 cervicle (both 7 and cervicle start with a ''sss'')

12 thoracic (both 12 and thoracic start with a ''ttt'')

5 lumbar (this is the only one left so i just remember this)

you can also remember that 7 + 5 = 12 (making the 24 vertebra)

hope this helps!

NurseKitten, MSN, RN · Aug 10, 2009

Go online and google "Anatomy Mnemonics"...several websites out there that will help.

We're here if you need help with anything - every last one of us has lived through it, and if you tap into the collective experience, it can help you, too!

Good luck!

nrenteria · Aug 10, 2009

i actually took my anatomy already and got an a on bones test. i could tell you one thing that'll help a lottt, memorize the bones by actually holding the bones in your hands. my school offered this in our lab so i dont know if your school does too but it makes it so much easier because you can visualize the parts clearly. and then when you dont have the bones with you, you can just look at your own hand or leg etc.. and name those parts.
as far as the vertabra.. here's a really easy way i learned it from top to bottom.
7 cervicle (both 7 and cervicle start with a ''sss'')
12 thoracic (both 12 and thoracic start with a ''ttt'')
5 lumbar (this is the only one left so i just remember this)
you can also remember that 7 + 5 = 12 (making the 24 vertebra)
hope this helps!

also, i've heard others say to learn the number of vertebra, think if meal times:

7:00- breakfast

12:00 - lunch

5:00 dinner

shakeytails · Aug 10, 2009

CNA and Psych classes are easy, and for me- so is math. My A&P class was rough, especially since I've been out of school for over 20 years.

My A&P class was 4 credit hours - 3 for lecture, 1 for lab. So 75% of my grade was based on lecture grades. If your class is similar, study more for lecture than lab.

Anyway, learning the bones and muscles and such isn't horribly difficult, it just takes time. If there is a website associated with your textbook and lab manual, be sure to use those resources.

For bones, what I did was print out pictures of different bones and bone markings. I always had those pictures with me and anytime I had a minute or two I'd cover the labels and quiz myself. I'd do this while watching TV, eating dinner, at work on breaks, and even while driving my car (like waiting at a stop light). I also spent hours on the computer using online quizzes. Mnemonics are also a huge help for a lot of people, me included. Finding funny things to help remember also help, like one of the muscles on your inner thigh is the gracialis (sp?). My lab instructor commented one day that "only by the grace of God" will my husband touch me there".

LovingNurse, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2009

If permissible, take photos of the models they use in class & use those to study from when the real thing isn't available. Most instructors don't care HOW you learn them, just that you DO learn them.

JAMIE__0421 · Aug 10, 2009

i also shopped amazon and purchased some models of my own for my personal use for studying at home. i got a skull, a heart, and a brain. it really helped me with my crazy hours. i do my studying during the midnight hours so making extra time to study the schools models did not work for me. but i do my best studying at home where im comfortable. plus time with the school's models is ltd because other students trying to use them. now for the bigger models i just used my lab/class time very wisely to get my hands on them as much as possible.

JBGC4 · Aug 10, 2009

Hang in there! I know someone starting her first semester in NE and all the while is taking anp w/ it. Crazy! But doable!

rubystar · Aug 10, 2009

That's been my motto through nursing school too!

I think the trick with that kind of material is to recall the information. Use the CD and do the self practice tests lots. And yes, break it down into pieces you can manage.