Fundamental Nursing Sciences:
* Anatomy & Physiology: Study of the human body's structure and function. This is usually a two-semester course.
* Microbiology: Study of microorganisms and their impact on health.
* Chemistry: Basic chemistry principles relevant to biological systems and medications. Often includes organic chemistry.
* Pharmacology: Study of drugs, their actions, uses, and effects on the body.
* Medical Terminology: Learning the language of medicine.
Nursing-Specific Courses:
* Fundamentals of Nursing: Introduction to nursing concepts, skills, and practices. This is a cornerstone class.
* Nursing Process: Learning the systematic approach to patient care (assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation).
* Medical-Surgical Nursing: Care of adult patients with various medical and surgical conditions.
* Maternal-Newborn Nursing (Obstetrics): Care of pregnant women, newborns, and their families. Often a separate course, sometimes integrated with Pediatric Nursing.
* Pediatric Nursing: Care of children and their families. Often a separate course, sometimes integrated with Maternal-Newborn Nursing.
* Mental Health Nursing: Care of patients with mental illnesses.
* Community Health Nursing: Nursing care provided in community settings.
* Critical Care Nursing (for advanced degrees): Care of critically ill patients.
General Education Requirements:
Most nursing programs also require general education courses in areas like:
* English Composition: Developing strong writing skills.
* Mathematics: Often college algebra or statistics.
* Social Sciences: Psychology, sociology.
* Humanities: Literature, history, philosophy.
Additional Considerations:
* Clinical Rotations: All nursing programs include extensive clinical rotations in various healthcare settings, allowing students to practice their skills under the supervision of experienced nurses. These are not classes in the traditional sense, but are a critical component of the program.
* Electives: Some programs may allow elective courses, which might be related to a specialty area of interest.
It's crucial to check the specific curriculum of the nursing program you're interested in, as requirements can vary between institutions. The school's website is the best resource for this information.