What Are the Different Types of Nursing Required Courses?

Nursing required courses refer to classes which the prospective nurse needs to pass in order to be successful in the profession. The work is divided into two general categories — pre-nursing and nursing coursework. Involving completion of prerequisite courses, pre-nursing involves the fundamental study needed to enter into a professional nursing program such as mathematics, social sciences, and the pre-nursing sciences. Education in nursing consists of accomplishing work directed towards the provision of nursing care to clients, any of which could be an individual, family, or even an entire community. Clinical, hands-on training takes place during the nursing program phase.

Even though mathematics is included in nursing required courses, the level of coursework is generally not especially advanced. While most nursing programs expect students to have completed classes through introductory statistics, most of the focus is placed upon nursing mathematics. In regard to nursing math, student nurses are typically required to master drug dosage calculations without the use of a calculator to 100% accuracy, as there is no room for mistakes in this area. Calculators can be used, but all nurses must know how to perform drug calculations manually, as devices are not always available in healthcare settings.

The social sciences are particularly beneficial, as most nursing approaches involve psychosocial aspects. Psychology studies the behavior of individuals, while developmental psychology focuses on human behavior at different points in life from birth to death. Emphasizing group interactions and the ways in which people organize themselves into classes, sociology courses provide comprehension of society as a whole. "Introduction to Sociology," "Marriage and Family," as well as "Social Problems" are examples of titles of nursing required courses in this area.

​Pre-nursing science courses provide a solid foundation for further knowledge and understanding in administering nursing care, particularly related to anatomy and physiology, chemistry, and pathophysiology. Focused on the study of human body structure and functioning, anatomy and physiology are either fulfilled separately or as a combined unit over one year of study. Some prior knowledge of chemistry is assumed for such a course, in which components of matter, including inorganic and organic compounds, are studied. Learning about common medical conditions and how each specifically affects human structure and function is undertaken in pathophysiology courses.​​​

Once the pre-nursing sciences have been finished successfully, the student then commences completion of the nursing core. These nursing required courses focus specifically on the nursing role and all that is necessary for carrying out the duties of a nurse efficiently, including medication administration, nursing of adults, and nursing of newborns and children. Students in nursing programs study care planning, the concepts of health promotion, and meeting the healthcare needs of a community. Associated nursing theories are applied in various clinical environments, during which time the student nurse performs specific therapeutic actions that are frequently referred to as nursing interventions.