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Since my schools nursing program requires the same books for the entire length of the program, I knew renting was not an option. For my first semester I need 8 textbooks and then during my third I will need an additional three books. So I joined the Facebook group for my school and purchased ALL 11 books off of a brand new graduate for $200. This saved me at least $900 in textbook costs. Almost all of the books are the same edition with the exception of the diagnostic handbook. I have no problem going on amazon to purchase the new edition if I need to, but in the past I have never had a problem with an "old" edition. Plus, they may be able to give you some advice about the books.:) So, if you can, contact new graduates and buy their books!!

Yes, it can be done! I took A&P II and Microbiology, both their labs, and two other classes this past Spring semester. I got As in all my classes, and because I didn't spread them out, was able to apply to my program (and get accepted!) without dragging it out. My school suggested I should not take those two classes together too, but I did anyways and I really enjoyed them both! Sure it was difficult some weeks, but generally I learned to manage my time well and, if you do too, that skill will pay off in Nursing school. So, if you are a determined student, go for it!!

If this was me, I would reevaluate my approach. It seems like the study methods you are using now are not giving you the outcomes you want so you need to find a different way to learn the material. Take more time to study the material and really understand it. Meet with your instructor and ask for help, they may be able to give you extra tips and outside resources to help you that you otherwise wouldn't receive. Find a tutor, or find a study partner in your class with a different learning style than you: sometimes hear and seeing the subject from a different point of view will give you that needed spark. But most of all, study study study! Don't try and skim by. Ideally, you should be able to read a quiz question and already have the answer before ever having to go and look for it. It takes a lot of work but it will be so worth it when you succeed. Good luck!

At my community college the nursing program is tuition free, which is amazing. I have to take a patient skills class my first semester and it is general entry, so I have to pay tuition for that. When I saw my bill for the Fall 2013 semester it was $150! We do have to pay for books and a supply package, but it averages out to $210 a semester for five semesters.

ShannonBerry11 your schedule is almost identical to my Spring schedule! I am taking A&P II Lab and Lecture, Micro Lab and Lecture, and retaking an art history class to boost my GPA (I had my daughter that semester and things did not go as I had planned). Any tips for A&PII lab? My A&PI lab was the only class I recieved a B in this past semester, even though I worked hard I just didn't have a solid plan for tackling it. What helped you get an A?

I took my exam in October and scored a 95 on it. 100 on math, 88 on grammar, 98 on reading comprehension, and 94 on vocab and general knowledge. I did not have to take any science exams but I can offer some advise on the ones I did take. I purchased the study guide Hesi A2 Secrets by Mometrix Media LCC and studied it semi-regularly before my exam. The vocabulary was the most useful part of this guide (it includes about 300 commonly used words on the exams). I was questioned on many of these words so this guide was my saving grace. For the math portion make sure you fully understand proportions and how to solve them. Probably 25% of my math questions were simple proportions. Another large component was conversions. Metric to metric mostly, with a few metric to US mass. Also, make sure you read the questions and know what it is asking. Quite a few of my problems had unnecessary information that could be misleading. I would also suggest brushing up on all the grammar rules. As you can see, I did the worst in this area. While taking the test I thought the answers were so simple and straightforward so I zoomed right through it. In retrospect, I would go slower and make sure my answers followed all of the rules. Lastly, and maybe most importantly, just breathe! I was very nervous when I took my exam and had a million butterflies. I needed to get a 93 or above on mine and had no idea what to expect. I took my time answering all of the questions (except for in my first section, grammar). You have plenty of time so double check your answers before you submit. Get a study guide (or borrow one from the library) and read a little each night and you'll do great. GOOD LUCK!

Go for it!! It seems that you have been able to handle the course load before, this semester is no exception. This past semester I took A&P I & Lab, Human Development, Human Nutrition, Clinical Prep, and a required Career Exploration class. I have a 4.0. It is totally do-able. I always remind myself that if I can't do this, then there is no way I am going to make it through a nursing program! They are rigorous. And yeah, I have to make sacrifices but it will be soo worth it in the end!! Just make sure you stay on top of all you work and you will be fine. :) Are your friends on this career path too? Mine who are going into the medical field totally understand and are in the same boat. Those who aren't, however, think I am nuts.

Begin with anatomical terminology. You will have to know how to describe the location of all parts of the body in relation to one another. For example, lateral & medial, superficial & deep, ventral & dorsal, etc. Learn all the organs and their locations. We were expected to already know this on the first day. From there, you can start to study histology. Epithelial tissue, Connective Tissue, Muscle Tissue, and Nervous Tissue. After that, bones. And by bones this means all 206 and the different aspects of each bone. Bones are much more in depth than you would imagine, and I was required to know almost every part of every bone. Knowing this very well comes in handy when you reach your study on muscles, because you will need to know muscle origin and insertion. Then, study the muscles. Every one. Cranial nerves, CNS, and PNS come next. This is a basic breakdown of the anatomy lab that I had, which was much more intense than my lecture. With lecture, you will go in depth on the physiological aspects of all of these parts. For example, how a muscle contracts. Lab is pure memorization, and if you can get a head start I would definitely do it!! It will pay off in the long run. As for microbiology, I am taking that in the Spring as well. I am very excited for that class! Good Luck!!

A&P II this Spring, finally!! I am so excited to start my last semester of prerequisites! I can't wait to get that acceptance letter from the school of nursing. It is what keeps me going, especially during finals week.

This semester I had to take 14 credit hours in order to qualify for my financial aid (12 is full time). A&P I was three of those hours and A&P I Lab was one of those hours. I have a 97 in my lecture and 94 in my lab. I am also taking Human Development and Human Nutrition (both with 99%). If you work hard you can do it!!

This past semester (fall 2012) I took both A&P I and Human Development and have an A in both. I would suggest reading the material before hand, or at least skimming it. Then take notes, lots and lots of notes! After class, re-read the notes out loud. Making note cards is very helpful too, especially in A&P lab where memorization is the only way to pass. Also, quiz yourself. If you can't explain it outloud, without looking at any materials, then you are going to have a hard time on tests. Before a test I like to rewrite the most important aspects of my notes. My A&P instructors both required us to have online access to MasteringAandP.com. Even if you don't use this specific website, there are many out there that are extremely useful and provide extra help, especially visually. There are videos that explain the information and lots of pictures, etc. Find a website like that. You can benefit from all of these in methods in Human Development as well.

I am taking A&P II and Microbiology in the Spring also, and I am very excited. This will be my final semester before applying to my school's nursing program in May. I am so excited!! I feel like I am on the home stretch because fulfilling all of the nursing pre-req's has been my goal for so long it seems. I love biology and I have my favorite instructor for Micro. I can't wait to get started! (I just have to get through my A&P I final this week, ahh :) )