Ask A Nurse: What Are The Hardest Classes You’ll Take In Nursing School? | NurseJournal.org (2024)

Question: What are some of the hardest classes students take in nursing school?

• Anatomy and Physiology (1&2)

  You may have taken an anatomy and physiology class in high school, but nursing professors expect students to learn about human anatomy on an advanced level. The curriculum covers topics like the skeletal, muscular, neurological, and cardiovascular systems, among other anatomical systems of the human body.

  This course very often comes with a lab component. Students use the scientific method to carry out lab work, which might involve dissecting an animal or observing tissues with a microscope.

• Organic Chemistry

  Organic chemistry covers the natural processes that occur in carbon-carrying compounds. Students may learn about the effects of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and drugs on the human body. Like anatomy and physiology, organic chemistry often requires a lab component.

• Pathophysiology

  In this course, students learn how different anatomical systems work and how diseases or injuries affect these systems.

  "In practice, this directly relates not only to a patient's medical condition, but also the medications your patient needs and how different illnesses will affect their overall health in relation to their comorbidities," says Alaina Ross, an RN and expert contributor to Test Prep Insight.

• Pharmacology

  Pharmacology, or the study of medication, can seem scary because of the sheer scope of the course. "It becomes one of the hardest classes for nursing students due to the depth and amount of knowledge needed," says Megan Lynch, RN and instructor at Pima Community College.

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  Lynch notes that pharmacology is one of the most difficult classes for nursing students, but is essential to patient care.

  According to the FDA, there are over 20,000 prescription drug products approved for marketing. The CDC reports that 48.6% of people took at least one prescription medication in the last 30 days and 24% took three or more.

  Students need to know the trade and generic names of medications, along with their classifications, reasons for use, and common side effects.

  "Pharmacology goes beyond simply memorizing drug names, and forces learners to think critically about the drug and how it works within the patient," Lynch explains.

  This is a core class that builds on the student's fundamental knowledge of nursing practice. No matter what specialty the student practices, they need this knowledge of pharmacology.

• Medical Surgical 1 (also known as Adult Health 1)

  This course covers common disorders or other health problems in adults. Learners need a foundational understanding of certain anatomical concepts.

  "This course is considered difficult because it is the first course where students must combine what they have learned in chunks in previous courses, and put it all together as they apply it to a disease process," says Nicole Beaver, RN and instructor at Hunt School of Nursing at Gardner-Webb University.

  Beaver offered several tips. Foremost is preparation. Students should compare the information in the book against the lecture slides. Pre-lecture questions from the instructor can help focus a student's reading and study.

  If the instructor does not offer pre-lecture questions, consider asking someone who already passed the class for their insights. Using a game platform to help with studying and learning may also be helpful.

  "Answering practice questions in Kaplan and learning how to use Kaplan as a resource has also been helpful to most of my students, once they see that Kaplan is a necessary resource," Beaver said.

• Evidence-Based Practice

  This course "involves taking a deep look at interdisciplinary healthcare research to establish a position on best-practice standards," explains Laura Fero, Dean of Nursing at St. Catherine University.

  "The nursing profession is based on science and new evidence is continuously being published," Fero says. "This class offers the student the ability to analyze this to determine how best to treat patients."

  The course often involves a substantive amount of reading, and students need to write both scientifically and concisely on assignments. Because of these requirements, some learners find this course exceptionally demanding.

  Fero offers several tips for students to be successful in this class. Nursing requires students to be inquisitive and willing to adapt, as does learning and incorporating the content from this class into their critical thinking.

  "Students have to be motivated to search, read, synthesize, and apply their new knowledge. It may feel overwhelming at times, but trust what you have learned and be confident in holding the best standards of care for those you serve," Fero said.

  Technology can be overwhelming for some, and treatment modalities are constantly evolving. Students must be willing to grow in school and throughout their careers. What students learn in this course will help make them better practitioners.

  "Be willing to ask questions and show your vulnerability. It is the key to a bright and powerful role as a professional," Fero adds.