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David Graham, Ted Hewitt, John Blase, Laura Scott, Paul Evans, Lucy Fielding, and Morgan Hopkins

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is for individuals interested in, or considering a career in nursing. You can use the hashtag #FLIntroToNursing to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

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Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is for individuals interested in, or considering a career in nursing. You can use the hashtag #FLIntroToNursing to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

  • The variety of roles undertaken by nurses
  • The context of nursing, caring for children, adults, older people, individuals with mental health and cognitive support needs
  • Bioscience applied to nursing looking at basic physiological measurement
  • Psychology related to nursing including the impact of psychology on physiology
  • Sociology related to nursing care and society.

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Reviews summary

Foundational nursing overview for career exploration

According to learners, this course serves as an excellent introductory resource for anyone considering a career in nursing. Many find it provides a well-rounded overview of the profession, specifically highlighting the integration of bioscience, psychology, and sociology within nursing practice. Students appreciate how the course clarifies diverse nursing roles and care contexts. While largely positive, some express a desire for more in-depth practical applications, noting its primarily theoretical approach. The course is widely regarded as ideal for beginners, helping them to confirm their interest in the field.
Ideal for beginners, may lack depth for those with prior knowledge.
"The pacing was perfect for someone like me with zero background in healthcare."
"If you already have some medical knowledge, parts of this course might feel a bit slow or too basic."
"It's a gentle introduction, which is great, but don't expect to become an expert."
Strong theoretical foundation, less emphasis on hands-on skills.
"While very informative, I wished there were more practical examples or case studies."
"It provides a solid theoretical base, but don't expect to learn any hands-on nursing skills here."
"For an introduction, it's great, but it definitely leaves you wanting more direct application."
Successfully integrates bioscience, psychology, and sociology.
"The way they connected bioscience to real nursing situations was really insightful."
"I appreciated how the course wove together psychology and sociology with practical care contexts."
"Understanding the psychological impact on physiological health was a key takeaway for me."
Provides a broad and foundational understanding of nursing.
"This course offers a fantastic starting point for understanding what nursing truly entails."
"I found the overall introduction to the varied aspects of nursing incredibly valuable."
"It's a great initial step to see if a nursing career is the right path for you, very comprehensive."

Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Introduction to Nursing: Bioscience, Psychology, and Sociology. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Nursing: Bioscience, Psychology, and Sociology will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

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This textbook is known for its clear and concise writing style, making it a popular choice for nursing students.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of medical-surgical nursing, including the pathophysiology of various diseases and conditions.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of maternal-child nursing, including the care of pregnant women, newborns, and children.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of critical care nursing, including the care of patients with critical illnesses and injuries.
This comprehensive textbook cornerstone resource for students and professionals, covering a vast array of medical-surgical conditions and their nursing management. It is widely used in undergraduate programs and serves as an excellent reference for practicing nurses. The book provides a strong foundation in pathophysiology and evidence-based care.
A foundational text for all nursing students, this book introduces the essential concepts, skills, and theoretical basis of nursing practice. It covers fundamental nursing care principles, health promotion, and the nursing process, making it crucial for building prerequisite knowledge. This is commonly used as a core textbook in nursing programs.
Another leading medical-surgical nursing textbook, this resource offers in-depth coverage of adult health conditions, focusing on assessment, pathophysiology, and collaborative care. It is highly relevant for both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as practicing nurses. The book is known for its clear writing style and focus on clinical reasoning.
Is essential for understanding the role of research in nursing and developing evidence-based practice skills. It covers research designs, methods, and the critical appraisal of research findings. This crucial text for undergraduate and graduate students, and a valuable reference for professionals seeking to incorporate research into their practice.
Focusing on the essential skills for nurse leaders and managers, this book covers topics such as organizational behavior, change management, and quality improvement. It is relevant for students preparing for leadership roles and for current nurse managers. helps nurses develop the skills needed to navigate the complexities of healthcare systems.
While not strictly a nursing book, this text provides a comprehensive understanding of the physiological processes underlying various diseases. A strong grasp of pathophysiology is fundamental for nurses to understand patient conditions and provide appropriate care. This is an excellent reference for students at all levels and practicing nurses.
Focuses on the unique healthcare needs of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, as well as the care of newborns and children. It is an essential resource for students and nurses specializing in maternal-child health. The book integrates family-centered care throughout.
This text provides a focused approach to pediatric nursing, highlighting the essential knowledge and skills needed to care for infants, children, and adolescents. It valuable resource for students and nurses pursuing a career in pediatrics. The book addresses growth and development, common pediatric illnesses, and family-centered care.
Designed for nurses working in critical care settings, this book provides in-depth coverage of the assessment, diagnosis, and management of critically ill patients. It is highly relevant for advanced practice nurses and nurses seeking to specialize in critical care. The book includes evidence-based guidelines and management strategies.
Provides an overview of key nursing theories and their application to practice. Understanding nursing theory is essential for developing a strong theoretical foundation for nursing care. This is particularly relevant for undergraduate and graduate students exploring the theoretical underpinnings of nursing.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of nursing, covering the fundamentals of nursing practice, the nursing process, and the different roles of nurses in various healthcare settings.

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