How difficult did you find pharmacology?

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Hi Everyone,

I've been lurking on this site for a few months now and finally decided to join becuse you guys seem to be very supportive of each other. And as someone who wants a career in nursing, i'm starting to see just how important that support system is.

I've taken all of my pre-reqs except for microbiology, which i'm taking in the fall and will then be applying for entry into the nursing program for spring 2011. I'm also taking pharmacology this fall, as it fits the criteria for the required elective and i know taking it now will be very helpful to me in the future. I'm just a bit nervous about how difficult it is, so i wanted to learn what your experiences were and hear of any advise you may have to offer. So far i've been able to do well in my science pre- reqs, i recieved an A in both A&P 1 and A&P2, mainly becuse i thoroughly enjoyed them, and was very interested in the material. I'm hoping for the same interest in microbiology lol and also pharmacology. Any advise will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

If you got an A in A&P, you'll do fine in microbiology. I got those same grades. Now, pharm on the other hand, was a hard class for me. Yes there is a lot of memorization, but because I took it DURING nursing school and not prereq, they used NCLEX-style questions on tests. NCLEX style questions require critical thinking which I find much more difficult than spitting out facts about drugs. Typically for a test, there were 50 meds to remember, categorized in 2 or 3 different drug classes. The professor was mainly interested in nursing implications and side effects. Well, I realized all of the side effects were nausea, vomitting, stomach upset, etc LOL. So that was difficult to differentiate between the drugs. Anyway, in the end, I walked away with a B which I was happy with. The professor was one of the harder professors, 4 tests and a presentation was all the points you could get. This was also taken during a hard semester, arguably the hardest semester in our nursing program.

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I took pharmacology last semester as a pre-req for the accelerated BSN I'm starting in the fall. It was my last pre-req to complete, but my first exposure to NCLEX style test questions. My biggest piece of advice is be prepared for this type of testing. It took me a few tests to figure out how to be successful with it, since I was used to the straight-forward questioning of the other science classes.

While I had a 4.0 until this class, I still was not prepared for the amount of studying it required. Make, study, and LOVE flashcards. I put the drug on the front, obviously, and on the back: major class, subclass, admin, adverse, and teaching (yes, it all fit :)). My teacher focused heavily on adverse effects. Yes, this meant memorizing adverse effects for every drug. Focus on the adverse that are particular to that drug, and to its class. You will know that most drugs given PO have the potential for various GI effects - don't waste your time memorizing adverse that are like this.

Memorize, memorize!

I ended up with a 95, but this was an A-. Ugh. Anyway, since you got A's in A&P, you're clearly capable of doing well in Pharm, good luck!

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I'm taking pharmacology right now (9-week summer session), and I agree with the above poster. Become best friends with your flashcards. Also, learning the adverse side effects is the key because once you know those the nursing implications -- assessment, teaching and evaluation in particular -- are easy to determine via critical thinking. I've been pretty much living and breathing with my flashcards since the first day of class and tomorrow we have our first exam. Our teacher, who admittedly is "very serious" and "does not bend," has already told us the questions will be NCLEX-like. I am as afraid as I am confident. LOL. What a delicate balance!

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Thank you for your replies. I think i'm just nervous because i'll be taking it with microbiology. I'll be keeping my

fingers crossed that i have a good professor and once again will have to give up much of my personal life :crying2:

Thankfully, i'm in a commited relationship with someone who is very supportive and i know in the end it'll all be worth it...I

just have to keep reminding myself of that from time to time lol.

Do you guys know of any websites that will be a helpful studyguide? I'd like to start checking those out asap. Thank you!!

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Have you checked out ratemyprofessors.com to see what your micro prof is going to be like? Most of the reviews are pretty bang on. All teachers aren't listed but for the most part you can find yours.

Good luck!! I take micro in the fall. I've heard it's better than A&P I&II. :yeah:

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Unfortunately, I don't know which professor will be teaching my section...they are just stated as "staff P". O well, i guess only time will tell. Goodluck to you this fall.

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We took Pharm during our program, at the same time we were taking our pathphys class. So, pharm for me was less about just memorizing drug flash cards, and more about connecting the mechanism of action to the pathophys. Additionally, understanding the mechanism of action also helps to understand and remember the side effects and contraindications.

I don't think I would have done near as well in the class is I approached it predominantly by memorizing it all.

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Quick question, did you guys buy pharm flash cards or was it simpler to just make your own?

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Quick question, did you guys buy pharm flash cards or was it simpler to just make your own?

I like making them myself for two reasons:

1) They have only the material that my Prof is asking us to know

2) More importantly, I think I learn more making them then running through them sometimes.

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Specializes in none.
www.Studystack.com is a good website to do flashcards on and you can play other learning games with the info you put on the cards!
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Thanks guys. This fall is just gonna be a little stressful b/c i'll also be applying for the nursing program at my college &

waiting impatiently to find out if i'm accepted or not. And at the moment i'm studying for the Pax exam, which i have on Aug

14th.I just want to be accepted into the program already .....I 'm trying my best to just stay very positive.

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