You are entering nursing school to become an RN nurse. What nursing classes will you take and what each nursing course is about? You will learn everything in this blog. Here is the list of nursing courses that RNs might see throughout their nursing classes.
Anatomy and physiology
In this nursing course, the students will learn about the human body and its workings. Anatomy is the study of human body structure and physiology is the study of function of the human body.
In anatomy, the student will learn about the structure of the body, including cells, tissues, and organs. The study focuses on major body systems such as the muscles and respiratory system.
In physiology, the student will learn about the function of these structures and how they work together to sustain life, such as metabolism, circulation, respiration, etc.
Key topics:
- Cell structure and function
- Tissue types
- Skeletal system
- Muscular system
- Nervous system
- Digestive system, etc.
Importance:
Taking these registered classes is important because it helps the students understand how the body functions and what happens when things go wrong.
Pharmacology
Another nursing course that you will take during nursing classes is pharmacology. This nursing course consists of the study of drugs and their effect on the human body. It covers a wide range of knowledge of the use of drugs in medical treatment.
Key topics:
- Basic pharmacological principles
- Drug classifications
- Therapeutic applications
- Drug interaction
- Drug reactions and side effects, etc.
Importance:
These RN classes help the students to manage the medications safely and effectively for the patients.
Microbiology
This nursing course covers the study of microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, algae, and protozoa. Microorganisms play a significant role in human health. Sometimes causes diseases such as infection, stomach bugs, etc., and sometimes acts beneficial, such as helping in digestion.
Key topics:
- Introduction to microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa, and algae.
- Host-microbe interactions.
- Microbial Pathogenesis
- Antimicrobial Agents
- Immunology, etc.
Importance:
The study of microbiology helps the students to administer medications effectively and to identify and prevent diseases.
Nursing Fundamentals
Registered nurse courses also have the subject of nursing fundamentals. This nursing course is designed to develop knowledge and understanding of patient care, clinical procedures, and other ethical aspects of nursing.
Key topics:
- Introduction to the nursing process, its history, and evolution
- Basic nursing skills such as checking vital signs, practicing mobility and positioning, etc.
- Understanding nursing processes like assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
- Infection control
- Ethical and legal aspects of nursing
- Safety and patient care
- End-of-life care and more.
Importance:
Nursing fundamentals is an important nursing course that helps the students transition from theoretical learning to practical learning.
Gerontology
Classes for nursing also include the course of gerontology. This is the study of aging and its challenges for people of age. It covers the biological, social, and psychological aspects of aging.
Key topics:
- The key topics for this nursing course include:
- The aging process includes biological, psychological, and social aspects.
- Common health diseases and issues with aging
- Palliative and end-of-life care
- Nutrition hydration
- Mental health and emotional well-being and more.
Importance:
Older people have complex health needs, and the knowledge provided by this nursing course helps the nurses to provide the best possible care for their patients.
Psychology and Mental Health
RN classes on psychology and mental health focus on providing mental health care. This RN course covers the subject of mental health conditions and their treatments.
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior of a human being. For example, how they think, behave, and feel.
Mental health is the study of the emotional, psychological, and social well-being of a person.
Key topics:
- Behavioral psychology
- Developmental psychology
- Social psychology
- Clinical psychology
Key topics:
- Anxiety disorders
- Mood disorders
- Eating disorders
- Substance use disorder.
- Schizophrenia
Importance:
This RN course covers the fundamental topics of psychology and mental health of human beings, which have a significant impact on human lifestyles.
Ethics in nursing
Ethics in Nursing is another nursing course that aims to prepare nursing students to provide patient care that aligns with ethical standards. The goal of this nursing course is to educate the students on ethical principles, challenges, and decision-making in their profession.
Key topics:
- Introduction to ethical theories and principles
- Nursing codes of ethics
- Ethical decision-making models
- Legal and ethical issues
- Ethical leadership and advocacy, etc.
Importance:
The importance of this nurse’s course is to help the students make ethical decisions and take legal responsibilities.
Community health nursing
This course for nurses focuses on nursing care in community settings. It helps in promoting and protecting the health of populations by collaborating with individuals, families, and groups.
Key topics:
- Community health assessment
- Program planning and evaluation.
- Public health issues and interventions
- Environmental Health
Importance:
- Empowerment
- Access to care
- Prevention and wellness
Pathophysiology
Pathology is the study of disease and physiology is the study of bodily functions. So, pathophysiology is the study of diseases and how they affect human bodily functions. Classes for nursing also cover this course.
Key topics:
Disease mechanism
Cellular and molecular changes
Clinical manifestations and more
Importance:
It is an essential nursing course for RNs as it helps students understand the effect of diseases on the human body and provides the foundation for medical research.
Clinical study
Clinical study, also known as clinical, is an important part of nursing school classes. It allows the students to work in real clinical settings such as hospitals, clinics, physician offices, etc. This is one of the most important classes for nursing. It helps the students to put their theoretical learning into practical settings.
Conclusion
No matter if you are going for BSN, MSN, or ADN programs. To become a nurse, we gave you the general idea of the nursing courses. From anatomy to nurse fundamentals and clinical studies, all are important parts of nursing courses.RN classes are sometimes hard, but if you put your heart into it, you are not far from your dream of becoming a nurse and helping people.
