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Pharmacology features among science courses, specializing in drugs and how they interact with humans and animals. Now that nursing involves prescribing and administering medications, it is evident that pharmacology is an essential subject that every nurse should cover.
Learning a long list of medications and their classifications can be demoralizing, particularly if you have little time to cover other courses that will shape your nursing career. Fortunately, various learning resources can help you get started. If you are planning a study program to learn pharmacology better, pay attention to the following information.
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The concerns students face when studying pharmacology
Taking in too much information at once
Some students believe that memorizing or cramming formulas is the best way to digest information when in the real sense, it also helps them pass their exams. It would be unhelpful to score good grades, yet you can hardly put what you learned to practice.
Sieving important information from what is irrelevant
The nursing school attracts students with different capabilities. Some may be good in obstetrics, while others have a good grasp of pharmacology. Since the latter is as important as any other subject in nursing school, it would be imperative to take in what your brain can handle.
Now knowing what study method to embrace
Some students prefer using flashcards, while others process information better in group discussions. Either way, digesting all the materials in pharmacology can ignite a defeatist attitude, especially if your study method does not seem to bear any fruits.
Tips for studying pharmacology in nursing school
Any nursing professional can tell you that studying drugs and their side effects on living beings is not easy. The following tips will help you learn more efficiently:
Focus on the generic names
Pharmaceutical companies use trade names to help patients identify their products. Since there are thousands of brand names for one medication, memorizing all of them will be overwhelming. Avoid overloading your mind with trade names by singling out one generic name for the drug.
Group the drugs according to their classifications
Each drug in the market belongs to a specific class. Some belong to the Beta Blockers group, while others fall under ACE inhibitors. If a drug ends in particular letters, you can ensure that others bear almost the same suffix initials. Even if you are good with names, cramming all of them might not do you any good.
Remember, all medications featuring under a specific class interact with the body in almost the same way. The earlier you master the suffixes, the faster your chances of knowing which class-specific medications fall under.
Relate a drug’s action with its side effects
When studying medicine, memorizing all the side effects a drug will cause can be overwhelming. To make your work easier, focus on how the drug works. For example, opioids are a class of drugs that affects the central nervous system (CNS).
Almost all meds ignite side effects depending on a patient’s immune response, allergic reactions, and drug strength. The patient will likely experience side effects such as drowsiness, nausea, or even breathing problems when this happens.
Seek second or third opinion from other study resources
You already have textbooks and online resources you can use for your study program. However, some materials may have technical terms that can be hard to comprehend. While the technical terminologies are essential elements in pharmacology, it would be best to seek a second or third opinion from study guides like the Courses on Nursing Pharmacology by Lecturio.
Make your tutors your best friend
Like any other course, tutors will be assigned to guide you through pharmacology. It doesn’t hurt to ask questions if you don’t understand anything. In addition, most nursing schools have upgraded to e-learning to allow students and teachers to interact better. If you feel lost or need further explanation on a subject, feel free to ask your course instructor to elaborate on it further.
Pursuing pharmacology in nursing school can be overwhelming, but you can still ace up your grades and become an excellent nurse if you choose the suitable study method. Remember, these study tips will ease your pharmacology studies and play a significant role in clinical medicine. Use these strategies today and in your future studies to shine in nursing school.
References and Sources
- https://nursingschoolofsuccess.com/study-pharmacology-nursing-school-3-simple-tips/- 2%
- https://www.myassignmentservices.com/blog/why-do-students-fail-to-score-good-grades-in-academics- 1%
- https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/opioids- 1%
- https://nursingschoolofsuccess.com/how-to-study-pharmacology-in-nursing-school/- 1%
- https://nursingschoolofsuccess.com/episode92/- 1%
- https://ebrainanswer.com/health/question7280416- 1%
