Take optional A&P I lab?

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Specializes in Psych.

The lab for my A&P I class is optional. Should I take it? It says in the catalog it's a CBT class, which I guess means that you go and sit in front of a PC without an instructor....there is class day/time and a location - I think it's once a week for 2.5 hrs. Is it worthwhile to do this? Will it help me get a better grade in my A&P lecture class? The lab is an entirely separate thing, with its own grade, BTW. I think you get 1 credit hour, compared to 3 for the lecture portion. The course catalog says the lab is "strongly recommended" but in the nursing curriculum, it's not listed in the required courses. (Seems they should have some note about this or something, huh?)

So, any advice? Did you get much out of your lab? I should mention that I'm working full time and have 2 kids/husband, so it better be a big payoff. A&PI is the only class I'll take, with or without lab, in the summer session. TIA!!

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Specializes in Home Health, Primary Care.

Personally, I think it may help, esp. if you think you may have problems with the class. I would actually ask some higher-ups in your nursing school if they think you should, or have to take it.

Good Luck!

Toni

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I had to take A&P I with a lab as a prerequisite. If it hadn't been for that requirement I myself would have opted for just the lecture portion of the course. Which to me required a lot of memorization. The labs weren't very challenging nor did they seem to expand on the lectures. My final grade was an A.

If you're a "visual learner" as oppossed to a "solitary learner" you may find the labs beneficial. I'm a "solitary learner" and thought the labs "repeated" info covered during lecture. Which I felt was a waste of time (for me anyway). I would've preferred utilizing A&P lab time for studying classes I found more difficult such as Microbiology.

I hope this helps and good luck.

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

A&PI lab was great for learning bones and muscles which will come in handy down the road in nursing school. A lot of it was pretty much a waste though. I don't remember much and it was only a year ago.

I would encourage you to take it if you think you might want to continue your education beyond the RN/ADN level. Bachelor's programs require the lab. Why not just get it out of the way?

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My BSN/MSN program doesn't require the labs; the cc I'm taking them at won't split the lecture and lab apart, though, so I have to take both. It did help somewhat with learning the bones, but other than that was a waste of time, IMO.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Meredith -- Since this is such a keystone course, I'd recommend you take the lab if you can spare the time.

Good luck!

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I have a friend in my nursing class that took A&P only without lab. She then switched to our program from a prior college and lab is a requirement here. She has to repeat the entire course because she cannot find a college nearby that offers lab only. :o It may be a good idea to get it while you can since maybe down the road you will want to change schools.

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