Like you, other students looking to join nursing school have the same fear. Is Microbiology hard? To answer this million-dollar question… Bacterial meningitis killed 90% of children who were infected in the early 1900s. It was not until 1938 when Alexander Fleming developed antibiotics. Was it difficult? Sure, it was. However, did that deter Fleming from achieving one of the most significant feats in medical history? You tell me. Yellow fever resulted in numerous fatalities globally before Max Theiler developed a vaccine in 1937. Was it hard? Heck yea. Max and his coworkers tried and failed 99 times before succeeding on the 100th trial. My point is, every single successful and impactful feat in human history was hard. But…and the biggest BUT…achievable. I won’t sugarcoat it… Microbiology is hard. Some theories, such as that you should possess this or that knowledge before studying microbiology, make the situation harder. Maybe some background in biology or chemistry won’t hurt, but you are going to college after all, where you’ll get all the learning you need from scratch. Who knows, you’ll find it exciting once you get the hang of it. So, what makes microbiology hard? The names of microbes are usually in Latin, long and most are tongue twisters. Grasping such names, like Acinetobacter baumannii, let alone reading them, can be a bit challenging. Fortunately, most of these names are shortened to make it easier for you. Therefore, instead of Acinetobacter baumannii, you read A. baumannii. A trick I learned back in nursing school was to master and pronounce Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and the rest became a walk in the park. Microbiology focuses on tons of microbes. You will notice cases where different microbes cause similar infections or a single microbe causing various infections. For instance, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) causes sexually transmitted infections, such as HPV. While a different strain of HPV causes cervical cancer, and another causes common warts. Your practicals will not always end up successful. Say you want to create a pure culture; you must observe certain ideal conditions, including pH, temperature, light, and oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration. Without such ideal conditions, you might end up with a mixed culture or an unintended culture that might pollute your work. While not all microbes are harmful, you need to know which ones are and the infections they cause. This way, you will know the proper medicine to administer. Remember, administering the wrong medicine results in dire consequences such as new long-term or short-term ailments, injuries, fatalities, or expensive lawsuits. So… Get it right. If you are not a fan of heavy research, you are in for some hard times. Microbiology relies on heavy research to assist you in all the practicals vital to ace nursing school and out in the field. Unfortunately, you can’t visualize, well, anything. You have to look at everything under a microscope. Now, combine all the above challenges, and you are left with some super intense memorization sessions the minute you begin the course. From the endless lists of microbes, how to test and identify each, and the ideal methods, collectively known as morphology. Now, all these challenges aren’t universal but unique to every student. For instance, back in nursing school, I was the Houdini of research and cultures. Mastering microbes’ names was a bit challenging, but I later got the hang of it… So, will you, and this is how I know. Microbiology is the scientific study of all living unicellular, microcellular and acellular microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi, archaea, prions, and protozoa. You know, those tiny organisms, also known as microbes that you can’t see with your naked eyes but are capable of causing nasty infections such as the flu, covid-19, and other catastrophic infections you’ve read or heard of in the history channel. You will learn how to identify, test, and cultivate these microbes in a lab. Don’t worry; you will be working in a controlled environment while in the lab. As long as you follow the right protocols, y’all will be fine. Microbiology is hard… With everything it focuses on and constitutes, you can easily lose your head, especially if you lack help. Luckily, there are a lot of resources to help you get by and ease your struggles in nursing school. So, I will let you in on some credible resources I used back in the day. This is my personal favorite and for many other students. This LMS is one of a kind and provides tons of invaluable resources to help you through your daily struggle in nursing school. The icing on the cake, they have the best and extensive microbiology course that contains helpful literature on micro bio. I guarantee you; this is one resource you should get conversant with. I would recommend this LMS any day of the week and thrice on Sunday to nursing students and registered nurses. All microbes serve a purpose, from nutrient cycling, biotech, medicine, cause and control of infections, food and nutrition, and biodegradation. The various subdivisions of micro bio explain the purposes of each of these microbes. DLC-ME has useful resources focusing on microbial ecology – the study of microbes in various environments and how they interact with one another. These particular microbes are helpful or, at times, vital for our survival. Microbiology journals come in handy during research, knowledge expansion, or reading when you get bored. AMS journals are rich and detailed with micro bio information. In fact, as per a 2018 Web of Science report, AMS journals contain 26% of all micro bio articles and contribute 44% of all micro bio citations. These journals contain invaluable results of fundamental and applied microbiology research. This society is a collection of microbiologists with deep knowledge and expertise from around the globe. This society works in different capacities, such as a leader in the discipline, a partner in collaboration with other scientific organizations, and assembling these experts. Joining this society will give you a unique chance to unlock and harness your potential in microbiology. It may sound a bit early to join a society, but… I’m an early bird kind of nurse. Who said you couldn’t study using some fun resources? Well, that’s what Cell Alive does. It contains visually stimulating film and computer-generated images of microorganisms for easy referral and identification. The owner, Jim Sullivan, ensures this resource is always up to date. Microbiology is full of research and practicals. You must develop a culture of writing lab reports as a part of your nursing experience. These lab reports are vital in highlighting your original work in a digestible manner and suggest further studies regarding a particular issue. Lab reports differ from one institution to another. This writing guide will teach you the basic format of writing a detailed lab report, either in nursing school or in the field. These are the closest most important resources at your disposal from day one. If you are lucky as I was, you will get a fantastic and experienced professor who will guide you every step of the way. Additionally, your school’s library is fully stocked with journals, articles, and textbooks, particularly Clinical Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple that uses diagrams, mnemonics, and metaphors to boost your learning experience. Another fun book is Lippincott Micro Cards: Microbiology Flash Cards that uses flashcards for a fun learning experience. There are plenty of other resources out there for you to discover. What worked for me might not work for you. While you look for others, check out all the above, you’ll be surprised at the amount of valuable info they have. Microbiology is a broad discipline consisting of multiple subdivisions that await you to learn and master. In other words… Microbiology is hard. Hold your horses before you think of a career change. Sure, you have to bust a nut to make it through. Lucky for you, I have some ridiculous tips up my sleeve to help you study and ace pro-style. This website contains tons of studying material, from detailed notes to cheat sheets, and mnemonics, among others. The website is all about helping you ace your microbiology course. You can rest assured whatever info that is here is legit. Live by the words of David Bailey that a positive attitude can really make dreams come true – it did for me… Yes, it did. Accept you are in nursing school about to study microbiology and will ace the course via sheer hard work. Keep in mind you are the winner. If you fail, you become a sore loser, and that’s on you. Once you’ve joined nursing school and settled, get a hold of the microbiology course outline. Create a well-detailed study plan that will help you manage your time and plan activities. Be sure to prioritize the stuff that matters the most, such as studying and more studying. Research shows using visuals while studying will boost your learning and information intake by…drumroll, please… They also improve cognitive and creative thinking to ensure you process information faster. Some visuals you can use include: For instance, you can use the ‘CLAP’ mnemonic to identify Gram-Positive anaerobes. C – Clostridium L – Lactobacillus A – Actinomyces P – Propionibacterium There is more where that came from… Agreeably, every fiber in your being is a warning to maintain social distance, especially as a potential microbiologist. However, there is unity and power in numbers. Instead of studying alone, join a study group for motivation and support. Study groups are especially important when studying for nursing exams… I can attest to that. Microbiology is broad. While you are excited about joining nursing school, you need to take a deep breath and start planning. Don’t read everything from cover to cover cos you will suffer from burnout before the fun stuff begins. Instead, utilize a study pattern. For instance, these can help you study bacteria: Specific bacteria strain followed by its gram status followed its shape, and finally its pathogenicity. This will help you better understand the bacteria’s virulence and the infections caused. Amid the rigorous studying, you might fail to take care of your wellbeing resulting in negative impacts such as poor performance and fatigue. So, ensure you eat well, have plenty of fluids, rest enough, socialize, work out and have some fun now and then. These resources will help you learn and master microbiology faster than anybody else. Each of them is unique, but the information is invaluable and will help you through nursing school and ace your microbiology exams. You might be tempted to abuse the freedom you’ll have in nursing school and skip a class. Not only will you be at loggerheads with your professors, but you risk failing if you miss too many classes. Additionally, missing a class means you have missed an important lesson that you might not recover. This course requires a lot of hard work. Repeated revision and study are key with all the facts and more facts you are supposed to learn and grasp. Remember, you don’t have time to look up an issue in an exam room or the field. In your free time, practice the necessary practicals till you master them all. Don’t wait for later to write down notes. The fresher the facts you’ve learned are, the better you can recall and the faster you can write them down. There are certain ways you can gain more hands-on microbiology experience, such as: There you go; the ball is in your court now. The short answer is yes. Microbiology is applied in many environments making it one of the most sought-after disciplines. In case you are wondering, it will help you: …and the list goes on. Now I am confident you have your answer to; is microbiology hard? Nursing is among the best and most impactful careers you can get into. It’s no wonder nursing is America’s largest healthcare profession with more than 3.8 registered nurses countrywide, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Furthermore, the latest AACN press release indicates the number of nurses who joined baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral nursing programs increased by 5.6% despite the global pandemic. Sure, many aspiring nurses join the various nursing schools countrywide. Good, our patients and their families are computing on us, plus we need all the help we can get. The hard truth is, like microbiology, nursing can be equally frustrating and challenging for any nursing student. During my time in nursing school, I experienced my share of struggles, similar to most of you. Nevertheless, I am a success story. I put in the hard work, made the hours, aced all my exams, and now I am among the heroes who get to impact numerous people’s lives daily positively. You can join me too… But, the million-dollar question is… Are you willing to do what it takes to make it through nursing school? Are you willing to sacrifice to one become a person patients look up to? A very important thing they don’t tell you is that nursing school can break you. The daily pressures and demands can prove too much for you, making you rethink your career choice. Worse, like the military, you can hit that bell and call it quits. However, if you quit, who will take care of your patients? Sure, there are exciting moments, such as the nursing clinicals and making friends for life. Like you, I faced my fears and leaped forward. However, I didn’t succeed on my own. I found the right resources to help me break the struggles, burnout, long hours, constantly deprived finances, monotony, and boredom. The numerous challenges from attempting to master the professors’ numerous PowerPoint presentations, the uncountable tasteless textbooks, online resources such as YouTube, and social ‘influencers’ to pass our NCLEX® exams…all exercises in futility. I made it to become the nurse I’ve always dreamt of becoming. And with the same resources, better days are coming. Enter NURSING.com: the most helpful and credible resource for every struggling nursing student out there. A unique revolutionary ultra-modern LMS with bucket loads of goodies to help you ease your daily nursing school struggles. Talk about Christmas coming early this year! Hold the phone… Why should you consider NURSING.com? To top it all… The good news is, I’m not the only one. You can check out the other nursing students who have benefited from Nursing.com. Those who have saved an average of 4 hours weekly got their lives back by improving their grades and passing the NCLEX®. So, what are you waiting for? Sign up to start your free trial with Nursing.com and reap these and much more benefits. My Darkest MomentsIs Microbiology Hard?
Is Microbiology Hard?
Mastering Microbe Names
Numerous Infections
Practical Disappointments
Pharmacological Challenges
Research and Practical Intensity
Sheer Volumes of Info
What Is Microbiology?
Is Microbiology Hard…It No Longer Matters
Digital Learning Center for Microbial Ecology (DLC-ME)
American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Journals
Microbiology Society
Cells Alive!
Microbiology Writing Guide: Lab Report Format
Your Professors and the Library
Ridiculous Tips to Study Microbiology in Nursing School
NURSING.com
Switch Your Attitude
A Study Plan Goes a Long Way
Utilize Visual Aids
There’s Strength in Numbers
Apply a Learning Pattern
Cater For Your Wellbeing
Utilize All the Resources Above
You Can’t Afford To Skip Class
Practice, and More Practice
The Fresher the Info, the Better
Become More Involved
Is Microbiology Worth Studying?
NURSING.Com Is an Incredible Resource
FAQs
Do you need to know microbiology for nursing? ›
Background. Nurses are responsible for implementing appropriate measures to reduce hospital infections, especially with multidrug resistant bacteria, so nursing students should learn about microbiology. This helps them to understand bacterial dissemination and infectious disease control.
Is a microbiology class hard? ›Microbiology is a course focused on the study of microscopic organisms. Studying microbiology can be tough, and I he microbiology exams require that you have spent a decent amount of money one studying. Micro in and of it self is really the study of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
What is the most important thing a nurse should know about microbiology? ›Covering essential topics such as infection control, healthcare-associated infections, and disease transmission will help prepare nursing professionals to recognize infectious diseases and initiate appropriate patient care interventions.
How hard is microbiology for nursing? ›Microbiology is hard. Some theories, such as that you should possess this or that knowledge before studying microbiology, make the situation harder. Maybe some background in biology or chemistry won't hurt, but you are going to college after all, where you'll get all the learning you need from scratch.
How do I prepare for microbiology? ›- #1: Get the basics down first. The cell is the basic unit of life. ...
- #2: Study everything in chunks. ...
- #3: Find or make your own visual aids. ...
- #4: Use cases to study. ...
- #5: List down buzzwords. ...
- #6: Do the diagnostics and treatment last. ...
- #1: Attend your lab sessions. ...
- #2: Take photos, draw, and label.
- Pathophysiology. In this course, students learn how different anatomical systems work and how diseases or injuries affect these systems. ...
- Pharmacology. ...
- Medical Surgical 1 (also known as Adult Health 1) ...
- Evidence-Based Practice.
- Social Sciences (Intro Psychology, Sociology, etc.)
- Humanities.
- Intro to Speech (or Communication)
- English Composition.
- History.
- Using Information Technology.
Is microbiology easy? No, it is one of the more difficult biology subspecialties simply because of the sheer volume I concepts that you have to understand, like all the differences in metabolism of the various bacteria and fungi, and the different life cycles of Protozoa.
How can I pass microbiology? ›- Complete Prerequisites. ...
- Read Your Textbook. ...
- Take Notes in Class. ...
- Quiz Yourself. ...
- Participate in Class. ...
- Review Class Information. ...
- Join a Study Group.
We've heard time and again that Microbiology is one of the most challenging classes during your second year of med school because it requires so much rote memorization. In Microbiology, you'll be learning about all the different organisms that cause diseases in the human body.
Is microbiology harder than chemistry? ›
Is Microbiology Harder Than Chemistry? Comparing the two head-to-head, microbiology is the easiest but very objective-based. Chemistry is applied knowledge and is also dependent on simple algebra, formulas, and some calculations. All things that make it math-heavy than microbiology.
What to expect in microbiology? ›You'll get an overview of the diversity, structure, function, growth, reproduction, genetics, physiology, preservation, and control of microorganisms. You'll then learn to grow and catalog a wide variety of microorganisms, including bacteria, algae, fungi, protozoa, and viruses.
What science is most important for nursing? ›One of the most important courses a nurse will study is Anatomy and Physiology. This is the foundation course for what nurses do every day, as it involves the structure and function of the human body.
What is the most important type of knowing in nursing? ›Empirical knowing is the science of nursing, which is factual, descriptive, and helps to develop abstract and theoretical explanations. Nurses demonstrate empiric knowing on a practice level through the competent performance of activities supported by theory.
What is the hardest nursing semester? ›Health Assessment: the hardest semester of nursing school
Many students struggle with the hands-on nature of this course, given that it is so different from many other typical college courses.
Microbiologists regularly use complex mathematical equations and formulas in their work. Therefore, they need a broad understanding of math, including calculus and statistics.
How many hours should I study for microbiology? ›The amount of study time recommended for a college level class such as microbiology, is a minimum of 2 hours for every hour your class meets.
Why you must study of microbiology? ›Why is microbiology important? Microbes are vitally important to all life on Earth. As versatile organisms, they play a major role in various biochemical processes such as biodegradation, biodeterioration, climate change, food spoilage, epidemiology and biotechnology.
Which book should I study for microbiology? ›Brock Biology of Microorganisms, 14th Edition
The authoritative #1 textbook for introductory majors microbiology, Brock Biology of Microorganisms continues to set the standard for impeccable scholarship, accuracy, and outstanding illustrations and photos.
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses. ICU is an extremely high-pressure environment and these nurses work with patients who have significant injuries and disease with added morbidity risks. ...
- Emergency Department nurses. ...
- Neonatal ICU. ...
- OR nursing. ...
- Oncology Nursing. ...
- Psychiatric Nursing.
Is it common to fail nursing school? ›
Many nursing schools require a minimum grade of roughly 80% to actually pass, as well. By the time you realize you aren't doing well enough to be successful in the course, the choices can be pretty limited. Failure happens all the time.
What is the hardest nursing certification? ›Emergency nursing is considered one of the most difficult fields of nursing, and certification in this specialty is highly desirable.
What is the easiest type of RN? ›- Nurse Educator. ...
- School Nurse/Summer Camp Nurse. ...
- Nurse Administrator. ...
- Public Health Nurse. ...
- Nurse Researcher. ...
- Nurse Informaticist. ...
- Case Management Nurse. ...
- Home Health Nurse.
One of the shortest certification programs is the certified nursing assistant (CNA) training program. Some CNA programs last as little as 12 to 18 weeks. Others may offer up to one year of training. The requirements of your state and the program you attend can affect the specific length of attendance.
What is the lowest nursing degree? ›As the name suggests, CNAs assist nurses with patient admittance and vitals. It is the lowest-level credential related to the nursing field and the quickest point of entry.
What is the most challenging from microbiology? ›One of the most challenging parts of our work is that the micro-organisms that we study are anaerobic, meaning that oxygen is toxic to them. We have to create special, completely enclosed environments with no oxygen in order to study them.
What's harder microbiology or physiology? ›In my opinion, physiology is the most difficult. There are so many concepts that are intertwined with other concepts or other disciplines. Physiology requires some understanding of other disciplines of biology like biochemistry, anatomy(microscopic and gross), cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, and etc.
Which is better microbiology or nursing? ›BSc Nursing is a 4-year course that covers critical care skills, training, and knowledge, while BSc Microbiology is a 3-year course that studies microorganisms and their impact on the body. Both degrees may provide excellent job opportunities.
What percentage is required for microbiology? ›BSc Microbiology (Hons) Full time
The Duration of the course is of 3 years. The candidates must pass their 12th or equivalent exam from a recognized board or university with a minimum of 55-60% marks. The admissions are based on a merit list or an entrance exam.
Microbiology encompasses the study of microorganisms which cause infectious diseases. The ability to identify and understand these basic properties of specific microorganism is essential for everyone in the health profession especially the nurses who play a vital role in patient care.
What grades do you need for microbiology? ›
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science.
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology for a degree.
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study.
Micro was easy. Cell Bio was slightly more difficult due to it being more detail-oriented, and Genetics was by and large a pain in the butt because of the level of detail and reasoning that was demanded of you.
Is microbiology worth taking? ›Microbiology is an excellent major for undergraduate students who want a good general education with emphasis on an important and interesting branch of biology. Microbiology is also an excellent preparatory major for students interested in medical, dental and other health professional training.
Which is better biology or microbiology? ›Biology is a vast field of science and more diverse. Microbiology is a more fundamental and applied science.
What is the hardest class to take in college? ›It shouldn't surprise you that organic chemistry takes the No. 1 spot as the hardest college course. This course is often referred to as the “pre-med killer” because it actually has caused many pre-med majors to switch their major.
Is biology the hardest degree? ›According to the average Grade Point Average of students in the program, Chemistry wins the prize title hardest major. A Chemistry major overlaps somewhat with biology, but chemistry extends beyond living things. Chemistry focuses on the composition of matter, including all structures, properties, and reactions.
Is microbiology the same as anatomy and physiology? ›microbiology is related to microorganisms their structures life cycle effects whereas anatomy or physiology is related structure and function of animals or plants .
What is a good science GPA for nursing? ›GPA requirements depend on the type of nursing program you want to apply for, but most programs require at least a 3.0 GPA or higher. However, due to the competitive nature of nursing programs, most schools prefer a 3.7 to 4.0 GPA.
Is RN school hard? ›Nursing requires more dedication than many other careers. However, it's one of the most rewarding jobs you can have. Nursing school is notoriously difficult—and it's not for everyone. Graduate school is challenging as well.
Do you have to be good at biology to be a nurse? ›Your nursing studies will likely include work in anatomy, physiology and pharmacology so having a good grounding in basic biology and chemistry will help.
What every nurse must know? ›
- Know the Patient's Diagnosis and Health History. ...
- Know the Patient's Allergies. ...
- Know the Patient's Code Status. ...
- Know the Patient's Lab and Testing Results. ...
- Know the Patient's Diet Status. ...
- Know Your Patient's Baseline Health Status. ...
- Know the Patient's Venous Access. ...
- Know the Patient's Medications.
They must be able to listen to and understand the concerns of their patients—this is essential for evaluating conditions and creating treatment plans. In addition, nurses need to be able to clearly articulate any instructions for patients, such as how to take a medication or change a bandage.
What are the 4 types of knowledge in nursing? ›She identified four types of nursing knowledge – empirical, personal, aesthetic and ethical – and suggested that no one form of knowledge was superior to the other, instead each was essential to the practice of nursing.
Should I take microbiology before nursing school? ›In many cases, a learning institution will require that you complete a microbiology course prior to entering their nursing program.
How important is microbiology for medical school? ›Microbiology is an excellent major to prepare you for medical school since almost all of the required medical school courses are also required for your microbiology major. The rigors of the advanced microbiology major classes will also help prepare you for the coursework you will face in medical school.
Is it important to study microbiology? ›As the foundation of the biosphere and major determinants of human health, microbes claim a primary, fundamental role in life on earth. Hence, the study of microbes is pivotal to the study of all living things, and microbiology is essential for the study and understanding of all life on this planet.
Is microbiology an important subject? ›Though it sounds niche, microbiology is actually one of the most important sub-sectors of biology. By analysing microorganisms up close, microbiologists play a crucial role in combating disease, creating chemical products for agriculture, and even helping to keep the planet healthy.
How can I pass my microbiology class? ›- Complete Prerequisites. ...
- Read Your Textbook. ...
- Take Notes in Class. ...
- Quiz Yourself. ...
- Participate in Class. ...
- Review Class Information. ...
- Join a Study Group.
...
The Easiest Classes in Nursing School
- Social Sciences (Intro Psychology, Sociology, etc.)
- Humanities.
- Intro to Speech (or Communication)
- English Composition.
- History.
- Using Information Technology.
Is microbiology easy? No, it is one of the more difficult biology subspecialties simply because of the sheer volume I concepts that you have to understand, like all the differences in metabolism of the various bacteria and fungi, and the different life cycles of Protozoa.
Is microbiology hard in medical school? ›
We've heard time and again that Microbiology is one of the most challenging classes during your second year of med school because it requires so much rote memorization. In Microbiology, you'll be learning about all the different organisms that cause diseases in the human body.
Do I need math for microbiology? ›Microbiologists regularly use complex mathematical equations and formulas in their work. Therefore, they need a broad understanding of math, including calculus and statistics.
What should I expect to learn in microbiology? ›Microbiology students study microbial growth, survival, metabolism, genetics, and physiology, while examining the organism's relationship to the environment, biotechnology, and diseases.
Is microbiology just memorization? ›Yes, micro is a lot rote memorization, no way around that. Clinical Micro made simple is good because it helps memorization through visuals and freakin crazy pictures. It is very worth your while to just sit down and memorize the algorithms for lab bacterial ID-First Aid has a simple one and it's not too bad.
What are the 3 types of microbiology? ›Water microbiology (or aquatic microbiology): The study of those microorganisms that are found in water. Aeromicrobiology (or air microbiology): The study of airborne microorganisms. Biotechnology: related to recombinant DNA technology or genetic engineering.
What are the 2 main branches of microbiology? ›Microbiology can be divided into two branches: pure and applied. The former is the most fundamental branch, in which organisms themselves are examined in-depth. In applied microbiology, the organisms themselves are not studied but are applied to a certain process.
What are the disadvantages of microbiology? ›...
b) Disadvantages:
- The major disadvantage is an illness caused in animals, plants, and humans.
- It causes damage to teeth.
- They are a source of disease transformation.
- They impure food.
- They destroy food products.