Should I take medical terminology (not req'd)?

Idiosyncratic, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2013

I think med terminology is very useful. I find anatomy terms a lot easier to wrap my head around with the previous knowledge of the word breakdown.

So I say go for it!

babelinglove33 · Oct 18, 2013

Yes! I did and it's been helpful in my other classes.

CowboyMedic, DNP, APRN, CRNA · Oct 18, 2013

I am currently in the class and I am finding it very useful. You learn all the root words, prefixes, and suffixes for every system. I took it to help my GPA, but I believe that it will help me more in the future after getting into a nursing program.

edmia, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2013

Take it! It will give you an entire different level of understanding.

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anichka · Oct 19, 2013

Thanks for the advice! I think I will definitely sign up, at least go to the first week of classes, and see what's in store (plus how much time I think I can spare between A&P II and OChem).

studentbear, CNA · Oct 19, 2013

Thanks for the advice! I think I will definitely sign up, at least go to the first week of classes, and see what's in store (plus how much time I think I can spare between A&P II and OChem).

I found medical terminology very useful, because I've been able to use it already. For example, my friend was telling me she went to the doctor and the different possible diagnoses.. I had a fairly good understanding of what they were. It made me feel smart! :)

My best piece of advice for medical terminology is to buy Stedman's flashcards (worth the $40, instead of spending hours making flashcards), which has 800 of them. You'll probably need to make more, because it doesn't have all of the terms you will learn, though.

MultiTasker33 · Oct 19, 2013

I vote no as well. Focus all of your energy into getting really good grades in A&P, Chemistry (especially if it's organic. You'll need all the time you can get for that), and Micro. You will get a lot of medical terminology in your prerequisites, pathophysiology, and nursing courses. I didn't take it and I am glad that I chose to focus my efforts elsewhere. Everyone's program is different, but not taking it hasn't put me at a disadvantage at all. Good luck!

friendlyjane · Oct 19, 2013

I plan to get and read "medical terminology for dummies" or some book along those lines during the time when I completed my pre reqs and the start of nursing school. Might sound silly but I think that is all you need. I have used books like that before and the good ones help. Just go to Amazon and find the best one for medical terminology.

readyforachangenow · Oct 19, 2013

I would take it. I would reconsider the timing of it. Micro itself is a hard class. Maybe take it a different semester or during the summer. Maybe just teaching yourself at home with a book.

Graduation2016 · Oct 19, 2013

Yes! A lot of my classmates really amaze me when they ask simple questions that would not even exist if they had taken a medical terminology class. Especially it's great for people that are just coming into the field I took it a few years ago for another program but my currently school doesn't require it for the BSN which I find ridiculous.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Oct 19, 2013

Definitely take Med Term!! Our program lets you comp out of med term quizzes if you pass a college level med term course. It's one less thing to worry about.

If your program doesn't require med term, you'll at least have a leg up on all the terminology. It certainly helps to speak the lingo :)

jenapoo99 · Oct 21, 2013

Take it. Although you will get some terms in other courses, the med term class will put you ahead of the curve. My book came with pre-made flashcards. What a blessing! I kept my book and flashcards and refer back to them periodically. Great for a review for any nursing test. Good luck!