Opinions on A&P...Am I Crazy

AspiringNurseMW · Oct 4, 2014

Totally depends on you and your time management. I have a p/t job working from home with 2 young girls and my boyfriend works night shift so most days he isnt around to help a lot ...... and yet Im pretty sure that next semester I am taking A&P 2 + Microbiology together because I want to have my sciences done before I start nursing classes in the fall and I rather not have them condensed.

Totally up to you, I was contemplating taking a science over the summer but with my other responsibilities I think Ill absorb it better over the semester rather than a condensed summer coorifice. What I may do is take something like lighter like Sociology over the summer

Medic6758 · Oct 5, 2014

I believe it is possible to walk out with an A, however I do not believe you will retain much due to the short length of time. My wife did a 4 week A&P course and from being bombarded so much, it is hard for her to see the whole picture on how everything fits together. When she did A&P 2 over a 16 week period she remembers far more material. So the choice is up to you; the class is very doable, but in the long run you might not retain much.

SeattleJess · Oct 5, 2014

I agree with Medic6758. A&P is dense and critical material. I took it over two quarters at the standard pace, had excellent study habits (regular prereading, post-lecture review and etc.) and got 4.0s. But even over that time, it was INTENSE and I was aware of how I was not mastering everything in the material. Now that I'm in first quarter nursing school, I find my A&P knowledge is patchier than I'd like.

For me, it's not about jumping through the hoops and getting the numbers to get into school anymore. I'm here. Now the focus is on the learning. You're still in a hoop jump situation but try not to sacrifice the learning. I'm betting it will come back to haunt you. Better to take more time now than to need to repeat a class when you're in your program.

Chose what's best for you in the long run.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2014

Is it doable..sure. Would I recommend it..nope.

A&P is the foundation of the vast majority of all your nursing classes. With A&P its not a test it and forget it, you NEED to remember the info or you'll be lost during the nursing classes. If you feel you can get through what amounts to a full semester course in 3 weeks, pass AND retain the info, then go for it.

We couldn't take two sciences together because chem was a pre-req for A&P I, A&P I was a pre-req for A&P II, and A&P II was a pre-req for micro. So there was no way to take 2 sciences together. I would personally find another way to reduce your spring semester.

ComeTogether, LPN · Oct 5, 2014

It's do able, but I agree with everyone else that you won't retain what you learn, and you really do need it for AP II.

amandajade22 · Oct 5, 2014

It is definitely doable. Your grade will just depend on how much time you can devote to the class. I did my A&P 1 & 2 in one semester (4 weeks each) So you should be fine doing just the first part. I also did mine all online so you will retain a lot more in an actual class room.

Good luck!

Path2BSN · Oct 5, 2014

Thank you everyone for your input. That is exactly what I was afraid of, but it was being offered so I figured I would ask here. I am looking into taking something else, or just waiting until Spring.

cgambino70 · Oct 6, 2014

AP2 had less info then AP1 but the physiology was a lot more involved. I know we covered more things in AP1 but the material in AP2 was more complex and we spent more time on it. I would think it would be tough sitting in a class for 6 hours a day focusing just on that.