Science Courses vs Nursing Courses

[fullsuitcase]

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Hey guys,

Wondering if any of you have done a degree in the Faculty of Science and now are doing a nursing degree. My question is: how do those 2 compare on the level of difficulty? I'm totally into nursing...b/c I am applying and hoping to get accepted somewhere, but I just want to hear you guys' opinion so I can prepare myself.

 

[ralegen]

I'm a 3rd semester RN student in an AA program. I wondered the difference in difficulty level as well. I can tell you this much.. they are completely different. From a very general perspective, science courses are all about memorization. Whereas, nursing is all about critical thinking.

The science courses did feel a bit more demanding in learning new material at first, however, most students will learn to adapt to the studying.

In nursing school, you need to learn a lot of facts (e.g. lab value ranges), and then interpret them into what they mean. Furthermore, you need to learn to look out for signs and symptoms that can be expected from any abnormalities.

In my experience thus far, nursing school isn't as bad as I thought it would be. It is completely doable, it just take a little more to adapt to its own nature of implementation. Science courses on the other hand are definately challenging, but when all said and done, it's basically memorization. Science course though are definately hardcore learning, whereas nursing is merely implementing (not as easy as it sounds). I know a lot of students who ACE the exams, but do poorly in clinical.

TIP: If you get into nursing school, get into the role. I've seen students (myself also) talk talk talk about achieving something more. "Nursing is just for now." You will look like an idiot time after time when your ego starts to spill out of your mouth like this. Enjoy what you do as a student nurse and learn as much as you can. If you end up in a med program, rad tech, whatever, you'll have that extra perspective of patient care which can go a LONG way. In addition, lets say you were in med school, while everyone is wondering, what's cirrhosis? You'll already have a head start in the game.

Enjoy your life!

 

[Farmer Jane]

What exactly is a degree in the "Faculty of Science"?

 

[fullsuitcase]

Thanks ralegen for your thoughful reply!

Farmer Jane: you are right...I might have been a bit vague..Faculty of Science can include lots of degrees (math, comp sci, genetics etc) I was just posing it as a general question.

 

[fullsuitcase]

Another question for anyone who reads this:

Do you think nursing schools care about if you've done science courses (Biology related) and didn't do all that stellar vs someone who studied something totally unrelated and did well? I've looked at the entrance requirements for nursing schools and they basically accept students from all disciplines so I am just wondering about the admission process.

Any nursing students care to share about the diversity of their classmates (any previous studying prior to doing a nursing degree) in their classes?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Farmer Jane]

Thank you, that makes more sense. AFAIK they just look at GPA. Having a low GPA in science courses probably won't help you. The good news is you generally have to take plenty of pre-reqs prior to applying to the nursing program, so there's your opportunity to up your GPA.

As far as a comparison of course difficulty, I've only ever been a nursing major, but here's one comparison I can do: Right now I'm returning for my BSN and will graduate in December. My brother will graduate in December with Bio and Micro degrees. I guarantee you his classes are harder than mine. Mine are time consuming and challenging, but my brother just blows me away with his intelligence. Always has. 🙂

 

[jwk]

I'm a 3rd semester RN student in an AA program. I wondered the difference in difficulty level as well. I can tell you this much.. they are completely different. From a very general perspective, science courses are all about memorization. Whereas, nursing is all about critical thinking.

The science courses did feel a bit more demanding in learning new material at first, however, most students will learn to adapt to the studying.

In nursing school, you need to learn a lot of facts (e.g. lab value ranges), and then interpret them into what they mean. Furthermore, you need to learn to look out for signs and symptoms that can be expected from any abnormalities.

In my experience thus far, nursing school isn't as bad as I thought it would be. It is completely doable, it just take a little more to adapt to its own nature of implementation. Science courses on the other hand are definately challenging, but when all said and done, it's basically memorization. Science course though are definately hardcore learning, whereas nursing is merely implementing (not as easy as it sounds). I know a lot of students who ACE the exams, but do poorly in clinical.

TIP: If you get into nursing school, get into the role. I've seen students (myself also) talk talk talk about achieving something more. "Nursing is just for now." You will look like an idiot time after time when your ego starts to spill out of your mouth like this. Enjoy what you do as a student nurse and learn as much as you can. If you end up in a med program, rad tech, whatever, you'll have that extra perspective of patient care which can go a LONG way. In addition, lets say you were in med school, while everyone is wondering, what's cirrhosis? You'll already have a head start in the game.

Enjoy your life!

3rd semester in an Associate Degree RN program? At most, you've had maybe a semester each of basic biology and chemistry perhaps? There's a big difference between introductory science classes and upper-level classes like organic, biochem, genetics, comparative anatomy, calculus physics, etc. Those go far past basic "memorization".

 

[fab4fan]

3rd semester in an Associate Degree RN program? At most, you've had maybe a semester each of basic biology and chemistry perhaps? There's a big difference between introductory science classes and upper-level classes like organic, biochem, genetics, comparative anatomy, calculus physics, etc. Those go far past basic "memorization".

Oh, now I get it. All this time I was trying to figure out how on earth one could be in an RN program and an anesthesiology assistant program simultaneously. I've never seen anyone abbreviate an ADN program as AA before. The letters game is getting too confusing for me.

You're right, jwk. There is a huge difference, and it is ridiculous to just dismiss studying hard sciences as "memorization."

 

[BlackSails]

In my experience thus far, nursing school isn't as bad as I thought it would be. It is completely doable, it just take a little more to adapt to its own nature of implementation. Science courses on the other hand are definately challenging, but when all said and done, it's basically memorization. Science course though are definately hardcore learning, whereas nursing is merely implementing (not as easy as it sounds). I know a lot of students who ACE the exams, but do poorly in clinical.

You obviously have never taken anything past Intro bio.

In addition, lets say you were in med school, while everyone is wondering, what's cirrhosis?

Everyone in med school already knows what cirrhosis is.

 

[Farmer Jane]

One would hope, anyway.

ETA: Really, one should know that even before getting into a nursing program. It's basic A&P.

 

[foreverLaur]

Are we comparing nursing courses to science courses or the science coursers required for nursing school vs the science courses required for premed.

i don't see how you can make a good comparison between the first set. seems a little apples to oranges to me.

if we are comparing the second, it depends. at least at OSU, students have the option to take the same science coursework that premed students do and a surprising number of students take that route.