Should I buy a pharmacology book although I'm not taking the class?

S.T.A.C.E.Y, LPN · Jan 16, 2007

I totally think you should buy a pharm book, and study on your own. Pharm is something you are likely going to use everyday as a nurse. However, have you considered taking an online course to guide your studying? That way you'll probably have lessons of some sort, a prof to ask questions to, and assignments to focus your learning. If you take it during the summer, you could do it on your own time, it wouldn't take away from your other studies, and you'd be set up to flow right into your med-surg classes and their pharm.

Just a thought...

Scrubz · Jan 16, 2007

I totally think you should buy a pharm book, and study on your own. Pharm is something you are likely going to use everyday as a nurse. However, have you considered taking an online course to guide your studying? That way you'll probably have lessons of some sort, a prof to ask questions to, and assignments to focus your learning. If you take it during the summer, you could do it on your own time, it wouldn't take away from your other studies, and you'd be set up to flow right into your med-surg classes and their pharm.
Just a thought...

Well, eventually I'll get to take a pharmacology class during my RN-BSN program in a couple years. I just wanted to get a head start now, study some on my own every once in a while. I mean, I'll be working as an RN while I'm doing my RN-BSN, so I figured it'd be good to already know some pharmacology by then.

Cfitz · Jan 16, 2007

Right now I'm in an ADN program. We're not studying a whole lot of pharmacology, and in this program I'll never take a pharmacology class. Next year I'll be taking Med-Surg I and Med-Surg II, and I think they're going to incorperate pharm. in there, but I don't know how much. My question was, does anyone think it would be smart to buy a pharmacology book so I can start studying on my own? Pharmacology is interesting to me and I'm kind of disapointed that we don't have a class, but I guess most ADN programs don't have actual pharmacology classes. After I get my ADN I'm going back for my BRN and I will be taking a pharmacology class then, but I want to start studying now. Anyone think this is a good idea?
What are some good pharmacology books geared towards nurses? Thanks for your help!!

I don't understand why your program doesn't start with Pharm?!? It seems fairly necessary for giving meds and such. The ADN prog I'm in started with Pharm and I'm really glad it did. I learned so much about classes and the way drugs work, interactions, contraindications, etc.

It certainly wouldn't hurt to buy a Pharm book (we use Kee) - it will give you a much more in-depth teaching about the way everything works together. Look on Amazon or ebay for a used book if at all possible, you'll save a lot of $. Good luck with it!

SA2BDOCTOR · Jan 16, 2007

I think you should

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2007

Scrubz, you're going to have enough to study within the curriculum.

I thoroughly believe you should study pharm, but I just as strongly believe you should get good at what you're taking and add what your school isn't requiring later.

If you must by a drug book, get a good nurse's drug guide. I like Prentice-Hall's because it's alpha. Many people prefer Davis, but it's organized by category, not name.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2007

scrubz. . .here are two really nice websites that you should bookmark where you can get specific information about various drug classifications and how those drugs act

http://www.pharmacology2000.com/learning2.htm - an online "textbook" of pharmacology. site includes outlines of pharmacology information plus practice questions, flashcards and tests. answers to tests are online.

http://www.kumc.edu/research/medicine/pharmacology/cai/menu1.htm - this is an online tutorial on pharmacology from the university of kansas medical center of drugs by their classification or by use in disease. this site was designed to teach students of medicine and pharmacy and has good information. most of the information is organized into several pages of tutorials where you are given drug or drug classification information and then presented with a question to answer before you can move on to the next piece of information.

moongirl · Jan 17, 2007

Scrubz, you're going to have enough to study within the curriculum.
I thoroughly believe you should study pharm, but I just as strongly believe you should get good at what you're taking and add what your school isn't requiring later.
If you must by a drug book, get a good nurse's drug guide. I like Prentice-Hall's because it's alpha. Many people prefer Davis, but it's organized by category, not name.

?

my Davis 2006 is alphabetical by name

FinallyaSalary · Jan 17, 2007

My suggestion, before buying a large book such as a pharmacology book is to have an updated nursing drug book to guide you. If not there are some great drug flash cards by Mosby. You can always invest in a used pharmacology book on half.com or at a university bookstore. I've hardly ever used my pharmacology book as I've always had a healthcare provider drug manual available for me to review. But the option is completely yours. As for the pharm book, it doesn't hurt to have one. If you are going to take the class soon, then I would suggest to go right ahead and buy one. If not, I would hold off, so that you don't go investing money on a version that might be considered outdated by the time you take the course.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2007

?
my Davis 2006 is alphabetical by name

Huh. Maybe I'm confused.

angel's RN · Jan 17, 2007

I am right now having to take a Pharmacology course (not by choice), and I have really learned alot from it. I would recomend the book for anyone, wheither they are taking the course or not. It is a great reference book. When I was in school, our class did not have to have a formal Pharmacolgy course, and I think that I have suffered from it. When I am finished, I am going to take this book with me to work - just for reference.

The name of the book is Pharmacology for Nurses by Michael Patrick Adams, and I got it online from Amazon.

Good luck!!!!!!!

lisabeth · Jan 17, 2007

I also took the class since it was a prerequisite, and I am so glad I did. I even bought the second book which they are now using which has much more detail about the drugs. I am studying over it some independently.

I am right now having to take a Pharmacology course (not by choice), and I have really learned alot from it. I would recomend the book for anyone, wheither they are taking the course or not. It is a great reference book. When I was in school, our class did not have to have a formal Pharmacolgy course, and I think that I have suffered from it. When I am finished, I am going to take this book with me to work - just for reference.
The name of the book is Pharmacology for Nurses by Michael Patrick Adams, and I got it online from Amazon.
Good luck!!!!!!!