When do you learn about human biology???

Trauma Columnist · Oct 10, 2006

In my program (which I did as a post-MSN certificate), I had advanced A&P, advanced pharm and advanced assessment as part of my chronic, acute and geriatric courses.

ERNP · Oct 11, 2006

As part of NP/CNS program took many policy courses along with advanced patho, advanced pharm, advanced assessment...... then there were all those clinical courses that offered application of the material.

NPAlby · Oct 12, 2006

I'm in my first semester of school (psych NP) and taking pharm. Next semster I'll be doing the advanced health assessment and then after than patho. My school requires you to take all that regardless of which program you're in (family, CRNA etc) and call them the core NP courses. After that I will be taking a class in biology of mental illness. So I'm definitely getting my share of bio classes. Took to your program director, they should be able to explain the classes better than the syllabus. Good Luck!!

Jengirl18 · Oct 22, 2006

HI NP Wannabe,

I'm not sure about human biology, but human physiology/pathophysiology should definitley be in the curriculum. Would you mind listing your other science classes? Hopefully, NP programs have standards set as to what classes are implemented in the curricula across the country. Can someone tell me if NP programs have a committee (like ARC-PA for physician assistants) that monitors this?

sailornurse · Oct 29, 2006

NP requirements are set by the NONPF-National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty. There are pretty stringent as to requirements. I am concerned that the OP states in the "BSN/NP" program. I did not know there were any such programs. Most NP programs are Masters. OP-Please explain where you are applying? Perhaps this is why you are confused. If you are beginning your education, human biology is usually a pre-requisite course to getting into a BSN program. Usually it is called "Anatomy & Physiology" many times you have to take 2 semesters of these courses

sailornurse · Oct 29, 2006

Hello everyone!
Today, I discovered and reviewed the online syllabi for the BSN/NP program I am applying to.
Something that puzzles me: When do you learn about Human Biology?? Of all the classes I would have to take, there are very few Learning about Human Biology (and please don't say you take it as a pre-req for nursing school. That can't be ALL there is to it.)
Where are you applying to? Most NP programs are at the Master's level. You said BSN/NP program. If you are applying to get a BSN, then perhaps the prerequisits courses to get into the BSN program are Anatomy & Physiology (human biology) Are you beginning your nursing education?

cgfnp · Oct 30, 2006

Hello everyone!
Today, I discovered and reviewed the online syllabi for the BSN/NP program I am applying to.
Something that puzzles me: When do you learn about Human Biology?? Of all the classes I would have to take, there are very few Learning about Human Biology (and please don't say you take it as a pre-req for nursing school. That can't be ALL there is to it.)
Lots of classes on Theory, Research, and Policy...I just don't understand.
I hope it's okay that I posted this here. I wasn't really sure where else to put it.
Thank you for sharing your experience with me.
NP

Teach yourself, because NP school sure as hell won't teach you. They'll waste your time making you write papers about ethics and pillow fluffing theory and then you'll graduate and not know how kidneys work or how to interpret EKGs other than stuff you already know from RN exp. But that's just the way it is and if you buck they'll probably kick you out. That's what nearly happened to me. Best advice would be keep your head down, tell them what they want to hear, and get your degree/cert then you can learn what you want and need. Or go to PA school and learn medicine although you sacrifice autonomy in some states.

ERNP · Oct 30, 2006

Teach yourself, because NP school sure as hell won't teach you. They'll waste your time making you write papers about ethics and pillow fluffing theory and then you'll graduate and not know how kidneys work or how to interpret EKGs other than stuff you already know from RN exp. But that's just the way it is and if you buck they'll probably kick you out. That's what nearly happened to me. Best advice would be keep your head down, tell them what they want to hear, and get your degree/cert then you can learn what you want and need. Or go to PA school and learn medicine although you sacrifice autonomy in some states.

I did have 2 excellent semesters of pathophysiology. But it's true, sometimes the cirriculum is a lesson in creative writing.

prairienp · Oct 30, 2006

Teach yourself, because NP school sure as hell won't teach you. They'll waste your time making you write papers about ethics and pillow fluffing theory and then you'll graduate and not know how kidneys work or how to interpret EKGs other than stuff you already know from RN exp. But that's just the way it is and if you buck they'll probably kick you out. That's what nearly happened to me. Best advice would be keep your head down, tell them what they want to hear, and get your degree/cert then you can learn what you want and need. Or go to PA school and learn medicine although you sacrifice autonomy in some states.

You were nearly kicked out becuase you wanted more information? What program did you attend?

cgfnp · Oct 30, 2006

You were nearly kicked out becuase you wanted more information? What program did you attend?

UMKC. It was gawd awful. There were some good professors but all in all it was riddled with BS. I tried to get them to let us choose different things to learn such as ekg, radiology, etc etc etc etc and they sounded like they listened then I got the only bad grade in the program in a course that was almost exclusively subjective in material. Coincidence? Maybe, but I doubt it. My friends got their letter of acceptance the day before classes began. This type of thing went on daily throughout the program. It was truly nightmarish. I'd rather go to MD/JD/PhD or be homeless than do that again.