<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1521645134757652&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
logo

Request More Info

10 Common Nursing Degree Courses

What courses can you expect to take in nursing school? It all depends on the degree path you choose and your area of specialization. The requirements for an associate degree in nursing will differ from requirements for a bachelor of science in the same field. However, most programs share many common courses. Let's explore 10 common courses you can expect to take in nursing school.

Introduction to Psychology10 nursing school courses

An Introduction to Psychology course introduces you to the study of mental behavior and the study of psychological processes. Subjects such as research methodology, neuroscience, memory, emotional development, personality, therapeutic treatment, social psychology, and psychological disorders are covered within this course. Although this is a theory-based class, there can be projects focused on determining causes and treatments for specific disorders.

Physiology

Physiology studies the function and malfunction of the human body, with a focus on how the body responds to health challenges. This course explores molecular and cell biology, genetics, organ and brain functions, and hormonal influence on behavior. Students learn how to assess the functioning of human systems and how to diagnose and treat disease.

Nursing Fundamentals

Nursing Fundamentals includes a broad range of information involving the practical side of nursing and what is required of you. It will usually include discussions, demonstrations and lab work for simulations, and hands-on experience. Assessing disorders, determining treatments, teaching nursing, health promotion, and medical record keeping are all covered within this course. There is also a focus of safety practices, critical thinking, and cultural diversity within the nursing world.

Microbiology

Basic Microbiology courses are often included in RN degree work because it explains the cause of many human diseases. Some of the subject matter covered within this course involves the immune system, medication and how it reacts with the body, host-parasites, culturing, antibiotic identification, and biochemical testing.

Anatomy

This introduction to the human body and organ functions examines body parts at the cellular level, along with skeletal, muscular, nervous, and sensory systems. Clinical examples and laboratory work helps you understand how body systems maintain homeostatic environments and the ways diseases and pathogens disrupt normal structure and function.

Psychology and Mental Health

Mental Health is a huge section of nursing in nearly any field of work, and the course covers a variety of issues facing patients today. Illnesses that affect both children and adults are covered, along with concepts relating to mental health such as neurobiology and psychosocial theories. Students are usually encouraged to partake in a practical period during this program in which a mental health facility is viewed.

Pharmacology

Pharmacology is an important part of a registered nurses job, so much of this course is dedicated to safety and administering medications among patients. There is also information on interventions, maintenance, and restoration, along with adverse effects that drugs can have on patients and how to treat this issue.

Leadership Management

BSN programs usually include a Leadership Management course. Leadership Management covers systems leadership, patient safety, and management within the nursing field. Budgeting finances, scheduling staff, managing nursing departments, controlling quality, delegating tasks, and managing risk are all covered within this course. You will also learn about ethics and legal roles within the nursing industry.

Ethics in Nursing

Ethics courses work to enhance ethical thinking within the nursing field for decision making on questionable circumstances and biomedical issues. Professionalism, codes of conduct, technology, confidentiality, abuse, and refusal of treatments are all discussed within this course. You will usually participate in projects or case studies to form perspectives, practice concepts, and research case law.

Community and Environmental Nursing

This course covers the health within a population or community as seen within public health and global environments. Epidemiology is often discussed, and students may be asked to reach out to community health organizations for more practical experience in health promotion, disease management, family health care, and social justice.

What about nursing prerequisites?

In addition to your core RN courses, you'll also need to take a series of foundational classes known as "prerequisites" or "general education" courses. These classes cover subjects such as math, history, writing, and more, and are typically taken before you get to your core material. 

Nursing prerequisites can take up to two years to complete for a BSN. But thanks to a system called credit by exam, nursing students who want to earn prerequisite credits at an accelerated pace can opt to test out of these college courses. By taking a proficiency test, you can avoid taking an entire semester-long class while still earning the same credits. 

Not sure which classes you need and when? A custom RN Bridge Plan maps out everything you need for your nursing degree, including the right school, core classes, and opportunities to test out. 

Learn how to test out of nursing prerequisites

 

Finish Nursing Prerequisites Online with Achieve

Before you tackle your core nursing degree courses, cross off your prerequisites with Achieve. Our 100% online RN Bridge Program helps busy, working adults earn college credits without compromising work/life balance. We've helped thousands of people overcome their education challenges to make real progress towards their goals. If you're looking to earn your RN with minimal stress, start your journey with Achieve! 

Learn more

Topics: LPN to RN Programs, BSN Programs, Nursing Programs, RN programs, Online Nursing Programs

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Pellentesque vitae convallis lectus.

lady-on-call-image

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nullam libero eros, dapibus vitae eleifend et, dapibus vel felis. Nulla condimentum sem a venenatis aliquam. Nam at nunc eget neque blandit bibendum sit amet et purus. Nulla nec tellus venenatis, sodales enim ut, sagittis nibh. Interdum et malesuada fames ac ante ipsum primis in faucibus. Etiam dapibus, lorem in suscipit interdum, enim leo vulputate mauris, quis rhoncus ex nisi sed ex. Suspendisse ornare venenatis quam, sed feugiat nisi interdum nec. Curabitur eget pulvinar velit, sed pellentesque nulla.

Proin non hendrerit quam, sit amet placerat lorem. Fusce nisi tellus, vestibulum vitae elit pretium, luctus aliquet massa. Quisque ultricies magna est, nec aliquam neque dignissim rutrum. Aliquam cursus orci nibh, ut scelerisque ipsum pellentesque in. Donec molestie ex nec neque egestas, et posuere orci tristique. Interdum et malesuada fames ac ante ipsum primis in faucibus. Nam finibus euismod arcu, vel tristique augue ornare nec. Vestibulum tristique dapibus ullamcorper.

Fusce vel orci nec diam tempor pellentesque. Suspendisse sit amet felis sed nisl efficitur condimentum nec vel turpis. Aenean mauris elit, cursus eget est at, pretium vehicula lectus. Pellentesque imperdiet ut magna sed rhoncus. Suspendisse viverra elit a semper porta. Praesent eu lacus tortor. Suspendisse at velit leo. Morbi a mi mauris. Fusce ut condimentum diam. Nullam aliquam rhoncus venenatis. Etiam est diam, congue ac faucibus ac, luctus id nisi.

Blog-post-image

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nullam libero eros, dapibus vitae eleifend et, dapibus vel felis. Nulla condimentum sem a venenatis aliquam. Nam at nunc eget neque blandit bibendum sit amet et purus. Nulla nec tellus venenatis, sodales enim ut, sagittis nibh. Interdum et malesuada fames ac ante ipsum primis in faucibus. Etiam dapibus, lorem in suscipit interdum, enim leo vulputate mauris, quis rhoncus ex nisi sed ex. Suspendisse ornare venenatis quam, sed feugiat nisi interdum nec. Curabitur eget pulvinar velit, sed pellentesque nulla.

Proin non hendrerit quam, sit amet placerat lorem. Fusce nisi tellus, vestibulum vitae elit pretium, luctus aliquet massa. Quisque ultricies magna est, nec aliquam neque dignissim rutrum. Aliquam cursus orci nibh, ut scelerisque ipsum pellentesque in. Donec molestie ex nec neque egestas, et posuere orci tristique. Interdum et malesuada fames ac ante ipsum primis in faucibus. Nam finibus euismod arcu, vel tristique augue ornare nec. Vestibulum tristique dapibus ullamcorper.

Fusce vel orci nec diam tempor pellentesque. Suspendisse sit amet felis sed nisl efficitur condimentum nec vel turpis. Aenean mauris elit, cursus eget est at, pretium vehicula lectus. Pellentesque imperdiet ut magna sed rhoncus. Suspendisse viverra elit a semper porta. Praesent eu lacus tortor. Suspendisse at velit leo. Morbi a mi mauris. Fusce ut condimentum diam. Nullam aliquam rhoncus venenatis. Etiam est diam, congue ac faucibus ac, luctus id nisi.

student-academic-study-image

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nullam libero eros, dapibus vitae eleifend et, dapibus vel felis. Nulla condimentum sem a venenatis aliquam. Nam at nunc eget neque blandit bibendum sit amet et purus. Nulla nec tellus venenatis, sodales enim ut, sagittis nibh. Interdum et malesuada fames ac ante ipsum primis in faucibus. Etiam dapibus, lorem in suscipit interdum, enim leo vulputate mauris, quis rhoncus ex nisi sed ex. Suspendisse ornare venenatis quam, sed feugiat nisi interdum nec. Curabitur eget pulvinar velit, sed pellentesque nulla.

Proin non hendrerit quam, sit amet placerat lorem. Fusce nisi tellus, vestibulum vitae elit pretium, luctus aliquet massa. Quisque ultricies magna est, nec aliquam neque dignissim rutrum. Aliquam cursus orci nibh, ut scelerisque ipsum pellentesque in. Donec molestie ex nec neque egestas, et posuere orci tristique. Interdum et malesuada fames ac ante ipsum primis in faucibus. Nam finibus euismod arcu, vel tristique augue ornare nec. Vestibulum tristique dapibus ullamcorper.

Fusce vel orci nec diam tempor pellentesque. Suspendisse sit amet felis sed nisl efficitur condimentum nec vel turpis. Aenean mauris elit, cursus eget est at, pretium vehicula lectus. Pellentesque imperdiet ut magna sed rhoncus. Suspendisse viverra elit a semper porta. Praesent eu lacus tortor. Suspendisse at velit leo. Morbi a mi mauris. Fusce ut condimentum diam. Nullam aliquam rhoncus venenatis. Etiam est diam, congue ac faucibus ac, luctus id nisi.

Get in Touch

Your degree and dream job are closer than you think

Call us at (888) 900-8380

or
Request Information