Nursing Curriculum: Core Courses of Common Nursing Programs

Although nursing courses vary from one nursing school to another, most schools focus on the same core subject areas. Prerequisites for nursing programs include anatomy, physiology and microbiology. Included below is a sample of several core nursing courses often found in nursing programs.

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Introduction to Nursing Practice Course

This core course introduces students to the field of nursing. It focuses on the history of nursing and the theories and skills essential to the profession. Critical thinking, cultural variation and decision making are some of the major areas addressed. Students study different healthcare systems, the legal and ethical aspects of nursing and economic factors that affect healthcare and the nursing field.

Pathophysiology Course

Instruction covers the effect of illness in an otherwise well-functioning human body. Students learn about common illnesses and the patterns of disease, in order to understand the processes of illness and healing. Students also investigate ways in which nurses may affect change in an ill person. Emphasis is placed on understanding the commonalities in a variety of diseases. Students also come to an understanding of the relationship between diseases and symptoms that may help them in diagnosing the problem.

Pharmacology Course

A course in pharmacology focuses on drug therapy and its relationship to the nursing profession. Students learn about commonly used therapeutic drugs, how drugs affect bodily systems and the effects of commonly prescribed drugs. Ethical and legal aspects of prescription medications are also addressed.

Health Assessment Course

Students learn to assess the entire patient, including the physiological and psychosocial components. Basic health assessment skills are taught, including assessment of the respiratory, cardiac, abdominal, lymphatic and musculoskeletal systems. Students learn how to gather data for patient health histories and check the health of the ears, eyes, nose and throat of a patient. Focus is on servicing diverse populations, the promotion of healthy behaviors and common health risks.

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