How important is microbiology?

[alconos]

Hello, i am working on my pre-reqs for my local universities ASN program(in my 3rd semester) and I decided to take microbiology early and on its own over this summer term to get it out of the way since everyone says it is very difficult. I am now worried that perhaps I am taking it too early and I might forget precious information by the time I start the nursing program(in a year or so).

Since this is the case, how important would you say remembering microbiology is during the nursing program?

[Cheripk, RN]

I personally did not think micro was very hard, and I also enjoyed the class very much, especially the lab portion (it was very interactive). At my school they focus the micro to the medical community in a sense so we learned a lot not only about bacteria but how it interacts with us, and medications used against different types and how bacteria and such protect themselves against medications etc. I took micro a year out from the start of my program and though it was a long time from the start of the program, I think many of the key points have stuck with me. Micro is very important, but I think it's one of those classes where a lot of the info just kind of sticks with you. Good luck and enjoy it! At this point I'm going into my final year of nursing school and I took micro almost 2 years ago and the information from micro just rolled into what we learned.

[nlitened]

Micro is a great class...I loved learning about all those lil unseen bugs, parasites, etc. Very interesting and the lab was fun...the things you can grow;) Micro is important, that is why I'd suggest keeping your book to use as a reference when you are in the program. The book shows pictures of what is causing what issues, and even gives treatments. Don't stress about trying to remember everything for nursing school and just enjoy the class. Happy learning!

[RunBabyRN]

You'll want to keep yourself somewhat fresh. It makes it much easier to understand certain diseases and how they affect the body or why we have to use extra precautions (Google "ESBL"). You want to understand how bacteria and viruses mutate and how they can do it so fast and how antibiotics work on some things but not others and why this antibiotic works for this disease but not that, etc. Micro is a prereq for a reason! :)

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

Micro is pretty important conceptually. You'll definitely have a strong appreciation of not only why it is so important to get a C&S (culture & sensitivity) prior to treating a bacterial infection but also why it's possible for a health care provider to prescribe an antibiotic based on empiric protocol. It's not necessarily something you are going to use specific information from but the big picture is what you're going to hold on to. I took my micro in 2008 and have only been in my nursing program for a year so obviously it's not something I need to remember very specific details about. But, I do remember a lot of the above info and it comes up a lot. I just wouldn't worry about forgetting everything. The important stuff will stick.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

It's kind of important. But do you need to remember the name of every bacteria and it's shape and what it does, no. But you need the fundamental understanding of it.

[neekzie]

Microbiology is extremely important. I loved the class. I took an accelerated class during the summer and did really well. I remember a lot even though I took it pretty early.