Pathophysiology

I loved the class:) it would not hurt to take it. I would recommend it. Can't hurt to learn some disease process.

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.

You could also buy a used patho book and learn the stuff yourself for under five bucks....

My school doesn't require it either, but it's incorporated into our program as is pharm. So it is rather difficult to pile that learning on top of the usual med surg stuff. So it's pretty much up to us to learn it. Are there any suggestions for a pharm book?

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.

I was thinking since I will hopefully be done with all the pre req's and have next summer off I'd take it then. Then I will have one semester left and it may be a supplement for the NCLEX and the future. Thanks for all the advice!

If you're interested in learning some stuff in advance and filling some time, it can only help you. However, I wouldn't worry that you'll somehow suffer for it if you don't. If you need to know it, you'll have a chance to learn it in NS.

They don't require pathophysiology anymore? WOW...

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.

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.

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.

Yep, it's that way in my area, too. I really wish we had a patho class as a part of the program. At least we have a pharm class though because the other asn programs do not. We can take patho though. It's open to all majors. I know they do not offer patho at the cc I'm currently at, but the university that I'm transferring to for my program does.