Microbiology is very important to the nursing profession. Nurses need the basic foundation that microbiology has to offer. The success of this prerequisite course is a very strong indicator of how well students will perform in other nursing classes. Therefore students should plan to give a lot of specific attention to microbiology classes in nursing school.
What is Microbiology in Nursing School?
Microbiology is the study of the characteristics of tiny, living things, and the way they affect the world. These tiny microbes affect just about everything by either application or disease. Microbiology helps track the negative and positive outcomes of the microbes’ work.
Microorganisms have the ability the change as they affect their environments. The adaptation to certain therapies and medications is what makes the study of microbes so important to the nursing profession. Scientists use their advanced technology to gain a better understanding of these organisms so that people can remain safe and healthy while in the hands of nursing professionals.
Microbiology courses teach the basics of reproduction, morphology, and genetics. The course also teaches students about molecular identification methods, infections diseases, and biochemical characteristics. Students also learn the influence biotechnology has on the development of certain medications and vaccinations.
How Nurses Use Microbiology on the Job
Nurses must have a deep understanding of microbiology in their daily nursing practice. The knowledge that nursing students gain in Microbiology courseshelps them to interact with patients in a variety of settings. Although nurses are responsible for caring for their patient, it is not possible to do so without putting health and safety first. Nurses use concepts of microbiology to maintain environments that are free of contamination and infection.
Nurses use microbiology on the job in many ways. When nurses administer smears for the gram positive and negative testing, they use microbiology to analyze the smears for bacterial contamination. Nurses must also use microbiology when it comes to the disposal of biomedical waste of all types. They must determine the proper procedure to handle the waste so that it does not cause infection. The concepts of microbiology help nurses to see beyond what their eyes are able to see.
Tips on How to Study for Microbiology in Nursing School
Going into the field of nursing does not come without some level of difficulty. Students must study hard to make good grades in their microbiology course, but it takes a great deal of studying to become skilled nurses. Here are a few suggestions that will help students.
- Read over the class notes within one day of taking them. It is best to study the information while it is fresh in the mind. Students may forget about any questions that they may have about the notes if they study any later.
- Create a study plan at the beginning of the course. Nursing students need to determine their priorities, and decide what they want to study. When nursing students plan in advanced, it helps them plan their activities around their study schedule.
- Read the Microbiology textbook as many times as possible. Nurses do not have time to look up nursing related information each time they see a patient. They must memorize the content for later use. Repeatedly reading information helps nursing students remember the information.
- Make copies of the diagrams, quizzes, and workbooks before the test. Students can test their knowledge of the information before the test so that they can go in with confidence knowing that they will do well.
- Get an ample amount of sleep. Sleep is important to the success of nursing students. If students do not get enough sleep, they will not be able to pay attention during lectures, nor will they be able to do well on tests.
- Make flashcards with terminology and diagrams. This option offers nursing students an opportunity to study on the go. There is no need to bring books and notes along when students can make their own flashcards.
- Take good notes. The whole point of taking notes is that they can be used to study information. Taking poor notes will ensure that students do not do well in their Microbiology course.
- Volunteer at hospitals. Volunteering is a great way to get hands on experience that correlates with the class notes.
Microbiology helps nursing students build their foundation in the importance of health and safety in the nursing profession. This prerequisite course can help nursing students gain a firm grasp of what their day-to-day lives will consist of once they become nurses. Nurses will never look at organisms the same with the help of their Microbiology course.