Which non-prereq should I take? Genetics or Pharmacology?

Students Pre-Nursing

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So I'm just adding an extra 3 unit course to beef up the GPA, and neither the Genetics/Evolutionary Biology course or the Pharmacology course are considered qualified pre-reqs for the UCLA program I've applied for. I realize I will have to take Pharmacology and Adv. Pharmacology at UCLA if accepted, but would be a good idea to get a head start?

(Note: This pharm. class is given at a local CC with a nursing program, but the course itself is not UC transferrable. The name of the course would still appear on my transcript.)

I know some programs would prefer that you don't start any nursing-related courses because they would like you to be a blank slate and mold you with their own methods/coursework.

Anybody have any advice about this?

lisabeth

1,087 Posts

I dont think it would be a bad idea at all. I took it, and while it nearly kicked my butt, I learned alot. I am going back through my book now to get a review, and there will be another Pharmacology class when I get into the RN program at my CC.

Good luck.

So I'm just adding an extra 3 unit course to beef up the GPA, and neither the Genetics/Evolutionary Biology course or the Pharmacology course are considered qualified pre-reqs for the UCLA program I've applied for. I realize I will have to take Pharmacology and Adv. Pharmacology at UCLA if accepted, but would be a good idea to get a head start?

(Note: This pharm. class is given at a local CC with a nursing program, but the course itself is not UC transferrable. The name of the course would still appear on my transcript.)

I know some programs would prefer that you don't start any nursing-related courses because they would like you to be a blank slate and mold you with their own methods/coursework.

Anybody have any advice about this?

Specializes in LTC, Nursing Management, WCC.

Take the Pharm! You can never get enough of Pharm... Pharm is your friend. Many newbies do not know that as a nurse, you are responsible for medication administration even if you give it as prescribed. For example, if a Doc prescribes something, you have to know if it is within the parameters. Nurses are not simply pill pushers. In this case... ignorance is not bliss.

Repeat after me.... Pharm is my friend! ;)

~Psych

Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

Pharm pharm and more pharm. You can't know it enough and it is ever changing.

BeccaznRN, RN

758 Posts

Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.

I agree with the other posters - take pharm! Although genetics would be kind of interesting as well....:rolleyes:

WDWpixieRN, RN

2,237 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.
I agree with the other posters - take pharm! Although genetics would be kind of interesting as well....:rolleyes:

Hi StlRn!! Looks like you made it to your destination safely!! Congrats!!

And as for the OP, I agree with the others....pharm will be invaluable info...if you're going to choose between these two, that gets my vote, also!!

Valdes

10 Posts

I HATED pharm when i was going to school for Respiratory Therapy... but after bing in a Clinical assignment, I realized... You NEED to know you Pharm if your responsible for any medication distribution

Specializes in SRNA.

Thanks for the valuable advice, all! I knew I'd get some voices of experience around here. I'm going with the Pharm, and found out that the text we'll be using (Pharmacology for Nursing Care:Lehne) is the same one the UCLA program uses in their Adv. Pharm I and II. Looks like I'll get a head start on the text as well. ;)

Thanks again!

HM2VikingRN, RN

4,700 Posts

Pharm!

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