Taking A&P while in nursing school... how crazy hard is it?

Nursing Students General Students

Published

I'm just curious about how common this is, and how difficult it is to have both A&P and nursing courses at the same time. I will be starting my nursing classes in the fall and will be taking A&P 1 then, and A&P 2 in the spring (and nothing else with them.) I don't know if I'm being naive, but I'm not really worried about it except that I hear people on the pre-nursing forums talking about how horrendous A&P is. While I realize this is on a totally different level, I did well in A&P in high school without trying at all and it seemed like the majority of my classmates were having a really hard time. Anyway, I'm not trying to sound like a pompous jerk, I'm just kinda worried that I'm not worried enough if that makes sense. It seems like alot of people take A&P ahead of time. In my mind, 12 credits is 12 credits. I had Bio, College Algebra, Statistics, and Speech this past fall, and while it was definitely hard and alot of work, I managed to do well in all the classes. I know there's no way to tell ahead of time, but I want to be real about this going in... so any opinions on the difficulty of doing both at the same time would be greatly appreciated.

at my school, a & p is set up to be taken with the nursing classes but you have the option to take it beforehand.

i thought a & p i was pretty easy, i got an a. that was 10 years ago. now i am taking a & p 2. i am using the martini 8th edition study guide and it has made things so much easier. so far, i have 3 a's and 2 high b's on the exams. thanks to the study guide!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
so far, i have 3 a's and 2 high b's on the exams. thanks to the study guide!

i will have to keep that in mind, thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would not recommend it at all. You defintely need to know your A&P in nursing school it helps to know it before you get there. I am in the last semester of my first year of nursing school taking two classes and I can not imagine taking another one. Nursing classes are very demanding on there own I even quit my job in my first semester just to be able to study. A&P is a lot of content that with nur courses that include clinical and labs is a lot. If you think you can handle it then go for it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thank you so much, it's great to hear from someone who's done it! I don't really have an option at this point, unless I were to delay starting my actual nursing classes but in my mind that's not an option at all!

You're welcome!! Last semester I had 3 nursing classes and A&P2, and one of the biggest things I learned was time management. I also had the option to delay and not start the program until I completed all the basics, but like you, I didn't consider that as an option! It is hard, but "doable". Just try not to let it overpower you! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ortho/Neuro (2yrs); Mom/Baby (6yrs); LDRPN (4+yr).

AP1 and AP2 aren't pre-reqs for my program, but most people take them beforehand to get them out of the way. Since I didn't arrive in the state until 1 semester before starting nursing school, I didn't have that option.

1st semester I took: Nursing classes, AP1, English, Psychology

This semester: Nursing classes, AP2, Statistics

I drive 45min between home and school and I work 20-25hrs each week. I don't find it too difficult at all. Like you, I did well in previous science courses in high school and for my first degree (biomed engineering), so I wasn't too worried coming into this program with this courseload.

ETA: I also think it depends on your program. In ours, since AP isn't a pre-req, the progression of our AP classes follows the progression of our nursing courses. For example, we'll work on endocrine disorders in nursing class right around the same time we're doing endocrine system in AP.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
In ours, since AP isn't a pre-req, the progression of our AP classes follows the progression of our nursing courses. For example, we'll work on endocrine disorders in nursing class right around the same time we're doing endocrine system in AP.

I'm gonna guess that that's how it's done in mine as well, since they aren't pre-reqs (but, like you said with your program, alot of people do finish them early to get them out of the way.) Thanks for your reply :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Would you be able to take your A &P s over the summer? You really don't want to take A & P and nursing classes at the same time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Would you be able to take your A &P s over the summer? You really don't want to take A & P and nursing classes at the same time.

No, unfortunately. There are no open spots in any of the A&P 1 classes this summer. I was thinking of taking Micro, but then I wouldn't be able to take one of the other co-reqs this summer that I would otherwise need to take in the fall, and I can take Micro next summer based on the course progression at my school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Most people complete all prerequisites and corequisites prior to starting the nursing portion of their program. It is the wise thing to do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I talked with the nursing advisor at my school and she told me to take chem psyc one semester then a&p 1 then a&p 2 but these all have to be taken before nursing classes can even be started.

If you think you will be able to do it go for it but remember a&p is fast and alot to learn!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am taking A&P now with my nursing classes. Even though it is recommended that you take everything before hand,stuff happens. Personally I wish I hadn't done it, but it has more to do with me and less to do with the course content. It just takes the usual time management and study skills. If you get stressed easily it probably isn't a good idea.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well, thanks to this thread and all your replies, I've decided to try a little harder to get into A&P over the summer. At my CC where I will be taking my nursing classes, they have no open sections of A&P 1 and even if they did, I'd still have to take A&P 2 with the nursing classes because of how their summer classes run. But earlier I had a little Eureka thunderbolt and thought I'd try a neighboring county's CC. Sure enough, they have open sections of A&P 1 and 2, and I would be able to take both back to back. So I'm registered! This drastically changes my summer plans LOL. But it will be good to get it out of the way.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment