Hi,

I'm going to be taking this class in the Fall'09, let me know what you thought about the class.

OMG! I don't know if am ready for this. Thanks for the heads up :).

I would definatly read the chapters two nights before you scheduled class time, it will help you understand what is going on because they will go through the material really fast.  Also, try to take notes not just from the board but in a way you would be able to understand it.  Me personally I love Lab, but I would get the coloring book and study your bones also so you can learn were the process or knob is located on certain bones.

I know this is a lot but this is going to be a tough subject and its better to be prepared, especiall y if you have an instructor like I did who was not good at her job.

I recommend flash cards and a study buddy.  It helped me get a B

A&P is tough, but you can do it. Just make sure you study a little bit everyday and also see if your textbook has some sort of website registration. My book did and I was able to take lots of practice quizzes and play games related to course content, which sometimes help when you need to liven up your studying. Also, as others said, writing up your own flashcards helped tremendously. Good luck. You will be fine.

This webiste works very very well for study prep, homework and just overall learning of the anatomy of the body. Hope it works out for you.. http://www.getbodysmart.com/index.htm

A&P is REALLY hard class, but I had a love hate relationship with it.  I loved knowing that it was stuff I was going to use the rest of my nursing career and hated that my memory wasn't up to what it was supposed to be.  I do not do well with reading I am more of a hands on person.  I used my kids and my friends as "models" when I wasn't in the practice lab.  My instructor was great and would hold an unlit cigarette in his mouth during the lecture. His name was Art and I made an A in his class.  One of the easiest things I did was to make up silly reminders for me.  Case in point.  The bones in the skull.  When you lean over to sip through a straw the bone in the back that is exposed is the Occipital bone..get it...sip through a straw...Occipital.  Ok.. I remember in cartoons (and I have caught myself doing this)...when your kids get on your nerves or do something crazy you put your hands on either side of your head...These are the parietal bones...parents...parietal. I know not totally there, but it worked for me.  Also...it isn't very funny when you hit your elbow (humerous bone).  Good luck!  Kim

First of all, know that A & P is fundamental to EVERYTHING else you will do as a nurse or any other medical professional.  I recommend a good visual 'atlas' of the body.  One very excellent one is BARRON'S Atlas of the Human Body; ISBN - 13:9780764160912 ; available for about $ 25 at GA Southern Univ. bookstore and probably available online at other sites. 

Also, for physiology, Guyton's Human Physiology (which is written in English and not 'medicalese').  Mine is an old copy but I am certain that there may be newer versions of this online.  Try amazon.com for both of these.

I used the 'Atlas' for the nursing assessment class and have referred to Guyton's Human AND Neurophysiology books many times.  These are 'keepers' for a good library especially if you are in a BSN or MSN program or intend to do so.

Sincerely at your service-Member Sigma Theta Tau and RN-CCRN.

To: hgray07

Who says you can't open your book and start learning NOW?  Last time I looked this was a free country where if you don't have a book of your own you can borrow one or go to the college library and sit down and read!  There is NOTHING that says you can't prepare a bit ahead of time.  GO FOR IT!  And get a professor who LIKES nursing students!

I actually just finished this coarse and next is pharmocology(nervous about that). I recomend what smills414 says... take really good notes and typing them up makes it really easy to study. I have a great teacher and he explains a lot. when the teacher is talking make sure you listen. Understanding is also VERY important . That will help you memorize what your learning a lot more and also choosing the best answer on the test. I hope this helps. Dont stress on it too much, just study, listen, understand, and do your best, you should be fine. I thought this class was really interesting so have fun with it. Good luck!!!

As you go along in Pharmacology you will notice that drugs which are of a similar use and class very often carry the same suffix: 'ine', 'pam', 'oin' and so forth.

This is a little trick to help you remember the generic drug uses as they are often used instead of Brand names these days in nursing literature and by some MDs.

If ANYONE needs help with a course and/or ways to remember things PLEASE write and let me help if I can!  As I am having a total knee replacement this Monday Feb. 15 I will be spending a good deal of time at the computer (a laptop) while recovering and will be more than happy to help out in any way with your course work.

Please help me keep my brain stimulated!