Nursing school is a comprehensive journey that prepares students to make a difference in patients’ lives.

But what do you learn in nursing school? What should you expect from a bachelor of science in nursing program, for instance?

Below, we’re breaking down the concepts and skills covered in many nursing programs. While it can take dedication and resilience to commit to learning them, building competence in a degree program could help you unlock a successful, fulfilling career.

Core Subjects and Topics Covered in Nursing School 

Before diving into the core subjects, it's essential to know how to prepare for nursing school. Familiarizing yourself with the curriculum, understanding the workload, and meeting nursing school clinical needs early on can set the foundation for your success.

Whether you are starting a BSN program, MSN, or nurse executive program, you should expect to cover the core topics below.

Anatomy and Physiology 

As a registered nurse, you need to understand essential body systems and how they function. For this reason, you will take courses related to both:¹

1. Anatomy – Where body systems are located
2. Physiology – How these body systems work in synergy

A solid foundation in anatomy and physiology could help registered nurses assess and treat patients effectively.

Pharmacology 

Nursing school will also cover the basics of medication, dosages, and routes of administration: concepts in pharmacology.²

This information is crucial for registered nurses. It helps them administer medications to patients safely, help manage side effects, and understand how medications interact with each other and body systems.

Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology is the study of how diseases develop and affect the body, and it is one of the most important subjects covered in nursing school.³

An understanding of pathophysiology helps nurses:

• Recognize symptoms
• Identify signs and possible diagnoses
• Provide effective care

Microbiology and Infection Control 

While treating diseases, nurses must take steps to prevent the spread of infections to other patients. So, an introduction to microorganisms and the immune system is a cornerstone of nursing curricula.

Nurses will learn how bacteria, viruses, fungi, and infections spread throughout the body and between patients—this knowledge helps them keep patients and themselves safe.

Nursing Programs

4 Essential Skills You Will Develop in Nursing School 

What about the skills you will build during nursing programs in Phoenix and beyond? Let’s dive into four of the most critical competencies you will start building during your education.

#1 Clinical and Patient Assessment Skills 

To assess patients, nurses learn how to:

• Carefully observe the body
• Take vital signs (e.g., temperature, respiration rate, and pulse)
• Recognize early signs of health issues
• Associate certain signals with specific health challenges

Assessment also requires basic nursing skills, such as communication. Developing a pleasant bedside manner and building rapport with patients are covered in depth during nursing school.

#2 Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving 

To assess patient needs and risks effectively, nurses need to use their skills and knowledge to:

• Think critically about problems and their solutions
• Prioritize care for multiple patients
• Make quick, effective decisions under pressure

#3 Technology and Documentation 

During their careers, nurses must use technologies like:

• IV pumps
• ECG machines
• Electronic healthcare documentation software
• Mobility aids

Nursing programs typically introduce students to these tools of the trade.

Electronic health record documentation is an especially important topic in today’s nursing programs. As patient charting is electronic, nurses must know how to accurately document information in a timely manner.

#4 Time Management and Organization 

Balancing patient care responsibilities with administrative tasks and care team communication is a tall order, but nursing school is the best place to learn how to juggle multiple tasks under pressure.

One of the best tips for nursing students your first year includes developing solid time-management skills to stay organized with coursework and clinical schedules. Nursing instructors can also offer insights, tools, and techniques future nurses can use to streamline workflows in busy environments and create prioritized task lists.

Hands-On Clinical Experience 

Clinical rotations provide practical experience in actual patient care, and they are central to nursing education. A nursing student will likely complete rotations in various units, including:

• Emergency department
• Pediatrics
• Mental health
• Intensive care
• Post-operative care
• Medical/Surgical

During these rotations, you should expect to learn hands-on skills, manage tasks with help from a preceptor, and get experience working with patients and professionals.

The Importance of Soft Skills in Nursing 

Nursing requires a few critical “soft skills” that are not directly related to clinical practice.

Empathy and Compassion 

Empathy and compassion help nurses build trust with their patients. For instance, when nurses communicate that they understand how a patient is feeling, they affirm that they care about that patient.

These soft skills also help nurses curate a healing environment: an atmosphere where patients are confident that their concerns are being heard and addressed.

Communication Skills 

Effective communication is paramount in nursing—both with patients and colleagues.

During nursing school, you will build confidence in your abilities to relay complex information to patients and collaborate with their care teams. Active listening and advocacy are some of the key pillars of communication in the nursing field.

Adaptability and Resilience

In both nursing school and the nursing profession, you will need to adapt to changing situations with composure and focus.

Adaptability also requires resilience: the ability to process difficult situations and emotions and move forward to reach your goals.

Nursing students receive opportunities to develop both of these key skills during their nursing programs.

Ready to Take the First Step in Nursing? 

Nursing education offers future healthcare experts the opportunity to learn both clinical and soft skills in an academic environment—and during hands-on learning opportunities like clinical rotations.

Want to learn more about nursing education or healthcare careers? You can at Alliant International University. Our programs offer prospective nurses the chance to develop impactful skills, connect with a supportive professional community, and prepare for a rewarding career. Reach out today to get started.

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Sources:

1. Blanchard, Susan. “Anatomy and Physiology.” Introduction to Biomedical Engineering. 2005. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780122386626500…. Accessed November 14, 2024. 
2. Crowley, Rachel. “What Is Pharmacology?” National Institutes of Health. August 14, 2023. https://biobeat.nigms.nih.gov/2023/08/what-is-pharmacology/. Accessed November 14, 2024. 
3. Muacevic, Alexander; Adler, John R. “In Search of the Ninth Discipline: The History of Pathophysiology, with an Emphasis on Pathophysiology in Varna, Bulgaria—Celebrating 100 Years of Pathophysiology in Bulgaria.” Cureus. April 2, 2018. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5984271/. Accessed November 14, 2024.