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My school does not require patho for our program. Will I be missing out on a lot if I dont take it or should I just take it next summer as an elective? Thanks!
I would highly recommend taking it. My program had two intense quarters of pathophys and that's where we learned a lot about fluid/electrolyte balance, ABGs, lab values, etc. You'll probably get some of this elsewhere in your program, but I definitely think it's good foundation to build your clincal practice on. Moreover, you'll be happy you took it when you're preparing for the NCLEX.
I was not required to take pathophysiology, but was really glad I did as an elective after all of my core nursing classes were completed. It was a great way to review all of the disease processes I pounded into my head over the last year, which somehow finally got everything to pull together and make sense.
However, I am very glad I did not take it before all of my nursing core classes were finished. It's a pretty intense chunk of learning stuffed into one book.
Patho is integrated into our program; however, we do have a pharmacology class. I bought a path book to help. My a&p II lab incorporated a lot of patho. The a&p I instructor (a dr) told us we should take a patho class if one isn't a part of our program. I plan on taking one sometime, hopefully. I just don't want to add too much to my load.
Some do, some don't. All the BSN programs in my area require it from what I've seen, but not as a pre-req...they want you to take it from them in the program. The ADN programs around here don't require it at all, though.
Wow that's wrong......so they cheat the ADN/ASN students of pathophys on the excuse that is for higher education. That makes me angry and sad.
bear14
206 Posts
My school does not require patho for our program. Will I be missing out on a lot if I dont take it or should I just take it next summer as an elective? Thanks!