Certain nursing schools require biochemistry and organic chemistry for entrance.
Nursing schools provide education and training in two ways. Practical nursing programs focus on technical duties, while registered nursing programs place more emphasis on theory and leadership. The RN student is awarded a nursing degree, either an associate's or bachelor's, and the practical nursing student is awarded a certificate of completion. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing is preferred among employers. Program requirements generally fall within three categories: pre-nursing, liberal arts and nursing curriculum.
Pre-Nursing Science
RN candidates must complete a pre-nursing science core before enrollment. Typically, practical nursing programs do not have this requirement as it is integrated into the year-long training. The pre-nursing science core includes human anatomy, human physiology, microbiology and introductory chemistry. A few programs also require biochemistry and organic chemistry. Most science courses require mathematics.
Human anatomy studies the structure of the body, and physiology focuses on its function. In many anatomy courses, students dissect human cadavers and animal specimens. Microbiology students learn about disease-causing organisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses. Chemistry teaches about matter and its properties, along with composition, structure and how different substances react. While the focus of biochemistry is on living things, organic chemistry particularly studies carbon and its derivatives.
Liberal Arts Coursework
All nursing programs awarding a degree require prior coursework in liberal arts. While requirements vary, some courses are common to all nursing programs. Typical coursework includes nutrition, psychology, sociology, mathematics, English and history.
Nutrition teaches about the process of using food for optimal health and survival. Malnutrition, weight loss, special diets and cardiovascular health are covered. Psychology studies behavior and mental health, while sociology focuses on behavior within group situations. It also covers societal problems and their causes. All nursing programs require math, at least to intermediate algebra. Some RN students must complete a course in statistics.
Nursing Curriculum
State licensing requirements include a certain number of documented theory and clinical hours. Theory consists of classroom instruction as clinical training occurs in hospitals, medical centers and skilled nursing facilities. Subjects covered in nursing school include pediatric nursing, psychiatric nursing, community health, pharmacology and pathophysiology.
Pediatric nursing teaches about care and treatment of children from birth to 18. Psychiatric nursing focuses on care of patients suffering from mental disorders. Community health nursing emphasizes health promotion and disease prevention. In pharmacology, students learn about commonly prescribed drugs, indications, typical dosages, side effects and how drugs are metabolized. Pathophysiology is the study of disease processes and how they affect normal functioning.
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