Fill the gap, easy beneficial class

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What's a class that you have taken during your time in college, or planning to add to your college portfolio as a pre-nursing student that you would find beneficial and easy, but was NOT a requirement for your school's nursing program? Maybe a music class that has helped you later on in your nursing career, where you were able to relate to patients who had an interest in music. Or a public speaking class that has helped improve your abilities to articulate your thoughts and feelings towards family members of patients. Also it does not have to relate specifically to the field of nursing, but found its knowledge practical in your adult life.

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Specializes in Women’s Health.

During the semester prior to beginning my BSN program, I took classes that allowed me to get an AA in child development and social /behavioral science. I found these classes interesting. Many if them cross over into nursing such as sociology, psychological, life span development, and child health and safety. They help you understand others view points, plus I am interested in working in pediatrics and I hope to be a mom one day, so the child development will come in handy.

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Sign language. In just one semester you will know more than enough to communicate with a Deaf person and they will appreciate you took the time to learn their language.

It's really the best class I have taken that isn't required.

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Sign language. In just one semester you will know more than enough to communicate with a Deaf person and they will appreciate you took the time to learn their language.

It's really the best class I have taken that isn't required.

wow interesting. in my sociology class there was a deaf person in my class who i wanted to communicate to. keep it coming guys

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

Any kind of language (something common in your area), human development, abnormal psych, anything like that. Medical terminology isn't usually required, but if it's new to you, a class can be helpful. If there's an area (or a few) that speak to you in nursing, anything related to that can be helpful. You will have psych patients everywhere, though.

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

Medical terminology! It wasn't required for nursing school, but if we took it, we could comp out of all the medical terminology quizzes in our 1st semester of nursing school. It was well worth it.

The other class I found beneficial was phlebotomy. I took the full certification course (2 semesters, including an Externship). It really helped me gain great patient skills and I was so confident when it was time to learn to insert IVs. It was easy for me to find a good vein after taking that course. Getting a good vein on an elderly, dehydrated patient can be tricky!

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.

It wasn't a requirement for the program I was aiming for, but Speech (public speaking) was invaluable. It assisted me with being able to put thoughts together in an organized way as well as be more comfortable speaking in front of a group of people. It mainly helped with my confidence level which is probably one of the most important attributes in a nurse as far as I know.

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Medical terminology! It wasn't required for nursing school, but if we took it, we could comp out of all the medical terminology quizzes in our 1st semester of nursing school. It was well worth it.

The other class I found beneficial was phlebotomy. I took the full certification course (2 semesters, including an Externship). It really helped me gain great patient skills and I was so confident when it was time to learn to insert IVs. It was easy for me to find a good vein after taking that course. Getting a good vein on an elderly, dehydrated patient can be tricky!

phlebotomy sounds like a good option. did you have to to take that outside of your school, or did your school offer that as a class?

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It wasn't a requirement for the program I was aiming for, but Speech (public speaking) was invaluable. It assisted me with being able to put thoughts together in an organized way as well as be more comfortable speaking in front of a group of people. It mainly helped with my confidence level which is probably one of the most important attributes in a nurse as far as I know.

i plan on taking a speech class to improve my confidence in speaking to crowds. concerned family members might sound like situations where that class can help.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

Spanish for healthcare workers.

Religions of the World.

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Specializes in ICU/ Surgery/ Nursing Education.

EKG interpretation. Has benefited me after becoming a nurse. This class might not be offered until you pass your first year of nursing school, but it would be wise to ask.

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