What subject or subjects would you take out

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Why do schools make students take these pre-req courses that have no relevance in nursing? Subjects like: World Literature; P.E; History; Music and Arts; and Intro to theater... I understand they want the students to have a "rounded" education, but come on now, these subjects will not make you a better nurse. Why not require nursing students to take classes that will help benefit them before they get into nursing school-- like a pre-pharmacology class, or a drug and solutions class, etc...

I know it's all about the money and believe me, they make TONS of money off people taking these courses. I just wish I was getting my money's worth, that's all.

p.s- please don't tell me History should be required lol :confused:... like me knowing about J.P Morgan and the Industrial revolution is gonna help save someone's life.

There are classes that are required for the nursing program, and there are classes required by the school. At my school, the nursing program only requires chemistry, a math class, A&P, philosophy, nutrition, etc. The school, however, requires a ton more. I had a discussion with a professor about this one day, and she said that's one of the differences between say a tech school and a college/university... Especially if you are going to a liberal arts school - you'll have a lot of extra surplus classes. I went to a private liberal arts school and I am glad I did. I enjoyed my experience, apart some hassles with the nursing program, and thought that the majority of the classes were interesting and kept me well rounded.

Specializes in LTC.

I'm with you op. I wish I could of bought my way out of fine arts...

Specializes in Cardiac.
Why do schools make students take these pre-req courses that have no relevance in nursing? Subjects like: World Literature; P.E; History; Music and Arts; and Intro to theater... I understand they want the students to have a "rounded" education, but come on now, these subjects will not make you a better nurse. Why not require nursing students to take classes that will help benefit them before they get into nursing school-- like a pre-pharmacology class, or a drug and solutions class, etc...

I know it's all about the money and believe me, they make TONS of money off people taking these courses. I just wish I was getting my money's worth, that's all.

p.s- please don't tell me History should be required lol :confused:... like me knowing about J.P Morgan and the Industrial revolution is gonna help save someone's life.

Everything, okay almost everything you take is there for a reason.

As someone already explained the pre-req courses specific for your nursing program are probably all directly relevant. If you are pursuing a BSN the college will have general requirements to satisfy the Bachelors criteria. A high school diploma means you have gained basic competency is a wide variety of fields. Similarly, all A.S. degrees regardless of specialty require emphasis on Science. All A.A. degrees will have a certain amount of additional humanities. All bachelors degrees require a certain core of classes.

If you do not want to take these classes then a better fit would be a vocational school.

I'd say the PE is worth it!

also, knowing about JP Morgan will help you understand why everything costs so much!

Kidding aside, I agree with you - time would be better spent on Chem, Physics, Biology, sociology, and do away with the music. Of course, that's probably an easy "A".

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Personally, I would vote for a few more non-nursing classes. The level of apparent illiteracy with regard to spelling, grammar and punctuation shown on Allnurses.com is appalling. And trust me, I'm not referring to the "casual" version of spelling/writing that is unique to the internet and texting.

I can't imagine reading the actual charting of some posters. The nursing profession could certainly stand to raise the bar on some basic communication skills. If that makes for extra non-nursing classes, so be it.

Removing the fine arts or other subject areas that contribute to a well-rounded education would only further nursing's reputation as a trade, not a profession.

I really agree with roser 13. I find it humiliating for RN's to use improper grammar and misspell words. You don't find physical therapists or OT's doing this; I know a PhD nurse who uses double negatives constantly. This behavior makes nursing appear to be an inferior profession.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

The difference between an education and a trade/skill is educational attainment. Nurses need to be well-rounded, and not simply skilled at performing a trade.

For example, my American history course has come in handy when I receive patients who are veterans from WWII, the Korean War, and especially the Vietnam War. You might receive a patient who is a playwright, and due to knowledge gained from the theater appreciation course, can talk to them about something familiar to them.

The more education, the merrier.

The difference between an education and a trade/skill is educational attainment. Nurses need to be well-rounded, and not simply skilled at performing a trade.

The more education, the merrier.

I couldn't agree more. It's a degree. A degree implies that you have studied a certain amount of general educational subjects as well as your specialty field; otherwise it's simply a trade with a technical background.

Based on the title, I thought this thread was going to be about nursing classes, and I had my answer ready! Less theory, more patho, lab, conflict resolution, pharmacology, etc! I've taken my THIRD theory and research class now. They're supposed to build on each other, when in reality it's the same info over and over; same books, even. Give me ONE class about nursing history and theory. ONE. Give me clinically relevant information in the other classes. PLEASE, I'm BEGGING for classes that will make me a better nurse.

Specializes in Emergency.

You take those classes for the same reason your classmates who are accounting majors take them. If you are in a BSN program it means your major is nursing. The degree requires more than just the classes specific to whatever you choose as your primary area of study.

Lit, sociology, intro to theatre and the rest of your required/core/elective classes add to your general knowledge base. "Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it". Liberal arts classes challenge you to think and hopefully expand your consciousness. That in turn might just enable you to progress to the pinnacle of Mazlow's Hierarchy. And see, we've come full circle back to nursing.

That's college. That's the way it always has been and always will be. You will have plenty of time to take "worthwhile" classes. Enjoy this time when your brain isn't overloaded, because soon enough you will long for that Intro to Theater class ;)

I have two degrees.

There is a simple answer to your question. Colleges are just businessess whose goal is to make money. You go to the college with the idea of purchasing specific education. However the college wants to make money. If you were only to purchase the product you "went to the store to buy", you would not have spent anywhere near the amount of money the college wants to make a profit. So, in order for them to increase profit, they require you to spend more money in order to get that piece of paper that states you have purchased the original product you intended to buy... Yes, it is fluff. Not that you might not enjoy the fluff, but I find it a waste.

To those thinking reading/writing skills are improved in college... well, you need to have those in check prior to college. That is the individual's shortcoming.

Anybody with multiple degrees understands this. This is why certain previous courses might not transfer to another college, or, why you are required to take a minimum of X amount of credits (even if you have another degree) at your new college in order to recieve that new piece of paper.

Remember that money is the catalyst for all actions. Follow the money as they say in all things.

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