Online Anatomy and Physiology Review Course

Online Anatomy and Physiology Course by Dr. Ross (Review)

Before you become a CRNA, you must first become a nurse, and before you become a nurse, you must take human anatomy and physiology. It’s one of those classes you’ll keep coming back to because it lays the foundation for understanding the human body. Once you know how the body functions, you can understand how it malfunctions, and how drugs interact within each system.

Whether you’re currently taking a human anatomy and physiology class, you’re planning on taking one soon, or you took it eons ago, it is ALWAYS helpful to review.

I recently stumbled across an online anatomy and physiology review course that will help you master the terms and concepts that are so essential to your success as a nurse, and eventually, your success as a CRNA.

Let me first explain what the course entails:

Dr. Ross’ online anatomy and physiology review course is fully downloadable (or you can buy the CDs and have them shipped to you for an extra charge). Mine was fully downloaded in 4 min. The course is meant to be supplemental, so if you need to take an accredited online anatomy and physiology course, this isn’t it – but it will give you all the tools you need to excel in whatever accredited course you are taking.

It includes 3 components:

Human Anatomy and Physiology

• Introduction to Basic Human Physiology
• Physiology of Cells and Miscellaneous Tissues
• Envelopes of the Body
• Skeletal System
• Physiology and Actions of Muscles
• Digestive System
• Respiratory System and Breathing
• Urinary System
• Reproductive (Genital) System
• Cardiovascular and Other Circulatory Systems of the Human Body
• Endocrine System
• Nervous System
• Special Senses
• Some Elementary Human Genetics
• Musculoskeletal System
• Nursing Care Related to the Musculoskeletal System
• Anatomy and Physiology Related to Clinical Pathology

Drug Dosage,Therapy & Pharmacology

• Dosage Calculations
• Basic Pharmacology
• Central Nervous System Drugs
• Autonomic and Cardiovascular Drugs
• Drugs Used to Prevent and Treat Infection
• Pharmacology I, II and III
• Pharmacology Math for the Practical Nurse

Nursing and Paramedics Masterclass

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Ear-Eyes-Nose Injuries
• Surgical & Sterile Dressing and Procedures
• Nursing Care : Musculoskeletal System and Respiratory
• Medical Mycology Overview & Introduction Course
• Nursing Fundamentals I, II & III

What I will say is that the course is very thorough. He strategically covers all the key points of human anatomy and physiology, boiling each section down to its essence, without overloading you with time consuming details.

I also feel it’s important to mention that the course could easily stand on its own with just the human anatomy and physiology section. The Pharmacology and Nursing sections are extremely helpful bonuses.

Here are some things I particularly like about the course:

It’s Concise
No one wants to read through a text-book. The print is so small, and they spend 2-3 pages covering a concept that could be summed up in 1 paragraph. As a student, it’s easy to experience information overload and either study the wrong things or give up before you’ve mastered all the concepts.

The top students in any class are able to recognize the key points and master them, ignoring all the other informational “noise”. Having the online anatomy and physiology review course by Dr. James Ross is like having the smart kid’s notes. It sums up all the key points, leaves out the rest and lets you spend your time on the things that matter.

It Uses Memory Aids
If you’ve ever taken a course to improve your memory, you know that we don’t naturally remember dry facts. Instead, we remember wild, vivid images that don’t seem to fit together. Ever wonder why commercials are so ridiculous? When strong emotions are evoked, our memories kick into high gear and become sponges.

This is why commercials use smiling faces and scantily clad women to sell their products, rather than simply describing why their product is better than their competitor’s product. Studies have shown that our memories are cemented when they are associated with emotionally charged pictures and outlandish images.

I’ve known how to evoke strong memories for a long time, but creating a separate wild image for each term/concept I’m trying to remember is quite time consuming and takes a lot of creativity.

I like that in certain sections of the online anatomy and physiology review course, Dr. Ross has done that for you.

For example: In the section called “prefixes”, he offers a standard definition of tachycardia:

“The prefix for fast is tachy-. A person with tachycardia has an abnormally __________ heartbeat. “

The picture to illustrate this term is of a runner who is stepping on tacks. Since we think in pictures rather than words, his definitions are extremely valuable.

It has a Lot of Graphics
There are thousands of illustrations woven throughout the online anatomy and physiology review course, making it very simple to visualize the material.

The majority of the illustrations are in black and white, which is an advantage if you plan to print out certain sections to study on the go.

It is also an advantage because a black and white drawing naturally leaves out many of the complexities of the human body that are distracting, and allows your mind to focus on a few sections of the body at a time.

Oral and maxillofacial pathology is the first chapter in which color images appear. In this section where diseases present themselves as discoloration of the tissue, you are given a very graphic image for each disease (some of which look so painful and so disgusting, they’ll be impossible to forget!)

Whether the pictures are in black and white or color, they are strategically scattered throughout the entire course and make it very easy to master the subject.

It’s a Great Value for the Money
Human Anatomy and Physiology is a course you cannot afford to do poorly in. Whether your nursing degree is the end of the road for you or you want to continue on to become a CRNA, you must know this subject.

Having a foundational understanding of human anatomy and physiology is what could take you from being a “good” nurse to being a great one. It will aid you in your critical thinking and help you understand how medications will interact with each patient.

It will also help you prepare for an interview into CRNA School. If you’ve been an RN for a while, human anatomy and physiology may not be at the forefront of your mind. Instead of re-taking A&P through your local community college, consider going through this online anatomy and physiology review course. It will save you money, LOTS of time, and help you stand out against your competition.

The course a fraction of the cost of a new text book and is about the same as most nurses make in one hour of work. With a price so low and benefits so great, you can’t afford to pass this up!

Summary
Overall, I was really impressed by Dr. Ross’ online anatomy and physiology review course. I think it’s worth looking into if you plan to be a nurse, or you’re in the process of advancing your career to become a CRNA.