Why take microbiology?

[nouviss]

So I was in micro lab today and one of the girl in my lab group said to us, "I don't know why we have to take microbiology for. Like, when am I ever going to use microbiology in nursing? I think only people like pharmacology students should take this class." I said it was good knowledge and that maybe there will be days we might need to use and know some basic microbiology info but she argue back that we only need to know lab values and anatomy and physiology.

The thing is, she's already a LPN so acts like my points aren't valid because she works as a nurse and I'm just a CNA at a hospital. So my question is, "why is microbiology important for nursing?"

[Banana nut, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

What I got out of micro was how infection can manifest in the body, how the immune system responds, how antibiotics work, how to use sterile techniques, the difference of s/sx and lab values with viral and bacterial infections, I learned a lot about sepsis, I learned what bacteria cause meningitis, why a beta hemolytic gram positive bacteria is dangerous. This is what I came up with off the to of my head. These are all very applicable to nursing. I'm sure I could come up with 10 more things very easily.

[JBudd, MSN]

If she doesn't think she should know the ins and outs of pharmocology while administering drugs, I don't think I want her as my nurse. Anyone can push a pill, takes a good nurse to know what is going on, and why, and how it relates to many other things going on in the body. How can you do critical thinking without a knowledge base?

[Meeshie]

If I had to pick one thing that I learned that I feel is important? Infection control.

[TuesdaysChild]

I haven't taken micro yet so I can't speak to its utility in nursing (though I rest in the knowledge that nurse education planners know what they're doing), there's still the simple fact that it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it! Plus, knowledge in itself is a treasure!

[Meeshie]

Honestly, I really enjoyed microbiology. Maybe that makes me weird... I don't know. I found it really interesting. I also learned just how easy it is to screw up sterile technique. That reminder will stay with me all of my life, I hope.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

You need to know the difference in gram positive, gram negative and how bacteria and viruses affect the body. Especially in the world of evolving superbugs. This is kind of along the lines of one of my daughters dorm mates asking why she needed biology to be a nurse.

Things that make your eyebrows go up.

[jennmv]

My microbiology professor kept telling us what could kill our patient or even ourselves if we didnt understand what we were dealing with.