Registered nurses must pass a national licensing exam.
Registered nurses or RN's can hold a diploma from an approved nursing program, an associate's or bachelor's degree. They must also pass the National Council Licensure Examination or NCLEX. RN's provide patient care in hospitals, clinics and outpatient or community centers. In addition to their credentials, nurses must be caring and sympathetic. Registered nurses constitute the largest group health care professionals, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. General education requirements for nursing majors include anatomy and physiology, introduction to pharmacology, microbiology and nutrition.
Anatomy and Physiology
Nursing students must take foundational courses in human anatomy and physiology. The course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive overview of different parts of the human body and how they work together. Students must also learn different levels of structural organization within the body at the chemical and cellular levels, as well as studying tissues and organs in the body. The course includes a review of the skeletal, nervous, muscular, endocrine, lymphatic, respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
Introduction to Pharmacology
Nursing students must learn how drugs are described and their physiological effects on patients. Pharmacology courses provide an overview of the biochemical effects of drugs on the body and how drugs are used in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases. Nursing students must also learn properly administer drugs, evaluate the effects of different types of drugs and educate patients on drug intake. Other important features of an introductory course in pharmacology include drug nomenclature, or the study of the chemical names of drugs, their properties and common uses.
Microbiology
Introductory coursework in microbiology covers topics like virology, parasitology, mycology, bacteriology and biotechnology. A foundational course in microbiology introduces students to the study of microorganisms, their characteristics and effects on the health and safety of humans. Students conduct case studies in virology by investigating epidemics like the West Nile Virus and pandemic influenza virus and how scientists explain the effects of viruses. Other studies in microbiology include explorations of fungi and classifications of opportunistic diseases.
Nutrition
Nutrition courses for nursing students cover broad-based themes and include subjects like economics, physiology, psychology and public policy. Students learn the application of nutrition to specific areas in health care such as weight concerns, food allergies, gastro-intestinal disorders and autism. Nutrition courses for nursing students explain the interactions between drugs, food and nutrients. Other areas include therapeutic approaches for managing obesity in adults, children and adolescents. Nursing students are also trained to develop dietary guidelines for patients with specific medical conditions.
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