Nursing is not an easy course to take. Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, and Pharmacology all have a well-deserved reputation for being challenging to pass. Likewise, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Chemistry, Maternal and Child Health Nursing, or even Psychology may be particularly challenging for some students. As a nursing student, you might believe that a particular course's material is simple to understand, while another student might think that a course you are having trouble passing is simple. Avoid dwelling on it too much or contrasting your experience with that of another student. The truth is that if you ask any nurse what their most challenging nursing class was, you'll probably get a range of responses.
Pharmacology
It shouldn't come as a surprise that many nursing students rank pharmacology as the most challenging course in their program. In all honesty, just the name of the course suggests that it will be difficult, and it is. A course in pharmacology challenges students to learn about a wide range of medications, how they function inside the body, and when they should be used.
Pharmacology will cover a wide range of medications and explain how they work in the body. There are steps you can take to make it easier for yourself to remember them. Learn the names of specific drug classes by heart, and keep track of any common prefixes or suffixes. A common example is the ACE inhibitor amlodipine, which often has the letters "pine," "pril," or "lol" at the end of the name (propranolol – beta blocker). Simply by looking at their suffixes, many medications' modes of action can be identified.
Microbiology
The complexity of this course is comparable to that of Anatomy and Physiology, but in microbiology, the emphasis is on the effects of microsystems on the body. You will learn about microorganisms that can only be seen under a microscope, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, algae, and archaea. You will become familiar with their traits, the illnesses they may spread, and the drugs that may be used to treat them, such as antibiotics and antifungals.
After completing this course, you will have a better understanding of why certain lab tests, such as blood, urine, and sputum tests, contain important information that will help determine how to treat patients with infectious diseases most successfully.
Medical Surgical Nursing
One of the first classes that nursing students take that requires them to integrate everything they have learned about pharmacology, pathophysiology, and health assessment is the nursing course Medical-Surgical. The notion that you need to know everything on day one is the first challenge in medical surgery. And if you don't, you've already fallen behind. The first piece of advice is to let go of the notion that you should be an expert already.
Although it might seem obvious, attending class is essential for success. Your program may require that you attend classes virtually or in person. This also entails showing up for all of the clinical appointments. Additionally, it is common for the simple act of attending class to be insufficient; you must also seek clarification on any concepts you are unclear about.
Anatomy and Physiology
This course will cover all aspects of human anatomy and physiology, including the bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and organs. This is a very visual subject. You can gain a better understanding of how one thing affects or connects with another by redrawing diagrams of these body parts or by watching online videos that thoroughly explain these structures.
The anatomy and physiology of the body—their locations and functions as well as how they function—will help lay the groundwork for other nursing courses. All of these concepts will start to come together in the classes you'll take toward the end of your degree program, and you'll be glad you took the time to fully understand anatomy and physiology.
At the end of the dark tunnel, there is light. Although it may seem impossible at the moment, keep in mind that you will overcome it eventually. You'll eventually receive that acceptance letter, finish that challenging nursing course, or walk the stage to receive your diploma. Remember that you must keep going forward even when it seems impossible. You are capable of completing this.
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