Concerned about our curriculum

Published

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to get some feedback because my nursing program is starting to seem like a joke. Our program is 5 semesters and I'm 2/3 of the way done with the second semester. When our school switched from quarters to semesters they eliminated the choosing of classes (med surge, peds, pharm etc) and now we just have the 5 semesters of the program that are X amt of credit hours, you don't get to choose anything and there is no part time. We were told pharm would be integrated into the whole program little by little. I was excited about that because it seemed like an easier way to learn it. I'm quickly realizing that there is no teaching of pharm. we were told that we should be looking up the pharmacology related to each section we cover in our ATI book. That's fine and all but I have no idea what I'm supposed to be learning about it. Classes? Action, dosages? I literally have no clue how I need to be studying it. We have ATI tests every semester and I know there is a pharm one at some point. Also each semester there is an "online seminar" which we are expected to learn on our own, and it it's on the final but we never discuss it in class. I'm worried that when it comes to NCLEX time I'm going to be screwed because this seems like incredibly lazy teaching to me. None of our instructors are helpful, they talk down to you, belittle you and I honestly hate having to deal with them. Our theory teacher told a couple of students they should just quit because they will never be nurses. She also told this to a nurse I work with when she went through my program. I want to be a nurse more than anything. I waited 2 years to get in to my program and have been a CNA for 2.5 years. I know this is what I'm supposed to do with my life. I am doing well in theory and lab and my clinical instructor told me that I'm one of the strongest in my group and she has been sending other student to me for help with nursing diagnoses and care plans. I know that I am competent and driven enough to do this, I'm just really freaking out about the lack of pharm teaching. Does anyone have any tips for me for studying? Also what are your thoughts on how were being taught? Is this normal?

Thanks!

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I can't speak to how well your program is built, but the absolute best tool for pharmacology that I know about is Hencke's Med Math: Dosage Calculation, Preparation, and Administration. I was lucky to have a really solid pharma class in my first year. But even still, I was so glad that I ordered that book on the advice of my sister (she's an RN) and studied it before starting nursing school. It will give your studies the framework you need to go from knowing nothing of pharma to knowing more than the basics. It covers everything from syringe size to dosage calcs and pharmacokinetcs.

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Thank you so much!

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When a student has misgivings about a program, there is little they can do about it, unless they want to switch schools. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that another program will be any better or any more stable. Our program switched curriculums. Many, many students got lost in the shuffle. The school denied responsibility for any adverse actions because they said that they kept everyone well informed about upcoming deadlines and consequences of not progressing out of the old program on time. No considerations were given to any who had problems, legitimate or otherwise. Basically, you pay to attend a nursing program, what you get from it, is what they "provide", how they "provide" it. If it is inadequate, you have to make up the shortcomings elsewhere, usually on your first job. Best wishes.

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Specializes in ICU.

There are curriculum changes all the time at every school. You just have to roll with it. We do have a stand alone pharm class next semester, but we have been learning about drugs throughout this semester in med/surg. We cannot pick our classes either. We have to stay with our cohort. That is how most schools are. You can either stay or leave, that decision is yours.

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Sounds like your school is as bad as mine. My teachers are so god awful, it's like they have never done any of this before. I'm planning on just pushing through and doing what I need to do to pass tests, and teaching myself in clinical rotations (luckily I have extensive healthcare experience). This seems to be the only option really, as transferring schools appears to be a difficult process. If we are committed to becoming nurses, we will just have to deal with these joke programs.

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

First stop blaming your instructors. It will accomplish NOTHING. You need to be clear with understanding what they require for you to get an A. Nothing more and nothing less. In nursing school you need to forget worrying about BS and focus on accomplishing what the instructors are telling you to do. Same as when you are a nurse. You will have orders from Docs and you need to get the job done. Period. Learn to succeed when things are tough and challenging, not just when things are easy. No one cares if the instructors "talk down to you". What does that even mean? This isn't Facebook. This is life or death with patients and lawsuits with screwed up meds that will financially ruin you and the hospital you work for. SO yes...sometimes people will be firm and to the point. Good luck. Go study.

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You are incredibly rude. My point was that I do not know how to teach myself pharmacology because I don't even know where to begin and my teachers are no help. Your response was absolutely no help so I'm not sure why you posted. Since you apparently know everything maybe you should stay in the section for people who are already nurses and stop posting BS on students posts who are legitimately looking for help.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
You are incredibly rude. My point was that I do not know how to teach myself pharmacology because I don't even know where to begin and my teachers are no help. Your response was absolutely no help so I'm not sure why you posted. Since you apparently know everything maybe you should stay in the section for people who are already nurses and stop posting BS on students posts who are legitimately looking for help.

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Meanwhile, back at the ranch...to answer the original question, my nursing program did not permit individual students to pick and choose their courses. Instead, we all progressed as a cohort and classes were picked for us. Although pharmacology was incorporated into every course, we were expected to learn it on our own time by formulating drug flash cards, reading our drug guides, and so on.

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.
First stop blaming your instructors. It will accomplish NOTHING. You need to be clear with understanding what they require for you to get an A. Nothing more and nothing less. In nursing school you need to forget worrying about BS and focus on accomplishing what the instructors are telling you to do. Same as when you are a nurse. You will have orders from Docs and you need to get the job done. Period. Learn to succeed when things are tough and challenging, not just when things are easy. No one cares if the instructors "talk down to you". What does that even mean? This isn't Facebook. This is life or death with patients and lawsuits with screwed up meds that will financially ruin you and the hospital you work for. SO yes...sometimes people will be firm and to the point. Good luck. Go study.

I have notices you are very brash. If that is just your personality to say whatever comes to mind and give "the hard truth" then so be it. But in the last couple posts Ive seen you reply to, you have been very closed minded and rude. I dont know if it is your intent or not, but maybe offering constructive criticism would be better for everyone. The minute you get a rude tone, whatever else you say will not be payed attention to. So even if your advice is essentially good, it is given in a very negative way.

Yes there are lives on the line, and nurses need to have think skins and get the job done. However, this student is having trouble learning how to do that. Telling them to essentially grow up and figure it out wont help. If they could just figure it out they wouldn't have posted here. Also you told them to just do what the instructors say, but what the OP is trying to say is that they are not giving any guidance on what exactly to learn for pharm. Cant follow directions that werent given can you

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