Patho vs Pharm

[beachlove123, BSN]

I took pathophysiology last semester and failed with a 74% (needed a 75 to pass). I studied a lot but I know I could have done better and tried harder. I am retaking patho next semester and I'm confident I will pass this time around. However, the semester after that I take pharmacology which I've heard is another challenging weed- out course. How similar/ difficult are the classes, and do you have any tips for passing (and doing well in) pharm? Did you find patho or pharm harder (and why)

Thanks!

[Rionoir, ADN, RN]

I’d worry more about improving your study methods. Studying more isn’t going to do anything for you if you’re doing it the wrong way.

Also, hate to say it but neither of those classes is hard compared to what you’ll take in future semesters. The level of critical thinking and applying knowledge you learn in both of those classes only increases from here. So don’t focus just on getting by, focus on understanding what you’re learning.

[RNNPICU, BSN, RN]

For me, Patho and Pharm were the hardest nursing classes. After I struggled with Patho, I refocused my way of studying for Pharm. I still struggled with Pharm but had a better approach to studying and thankfully passed.

[carti, BSN, RN]

For pharm , I made a big chart using google docs and would write the name of drug, class, Mech. of action, nursing implications, and imp lab values. Some tests, I would have around 80 drugs grouped into 1 chart.

It sounds like alot, but alot of drugs are the same (All the ace inhibitors, all the beta blockers, etc).

I made an A in patho and pharm because those classes were actually science-based and not pseudo bs nclex questions like some nursing classes are like " choose the bestest answer"

[nursetobequestionmark]

pharm is way harder than patho

[nursingnursing1212]

Agreed with the above that pharm is a lot harder than patho. Pharm is soooo much memorization in my opinion, and tbh, I just didn't have the right study techniques to excel in that class.

If I could take it again, I would start making charts to study from immediately after each lecture. Make charts with the drugs, color code and group them by their class, make a point to remember anything that makes a drug different than the others in its class (contraindications, etc).

Study the chart, and then make flash cards. First, just make one flash card with the name of each class on a card (ex. one would say ACE INHIBITORS). Then, on separate cards, write one drug name per card. Do this for all of the classes, and lay out the class cards on the table. Then, mix up the drug name cards and try to match them to the correct class card. Once you've got that down, add in more details (ex. indications, typical side effects, contraindications, etc).