LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF PHARMACOLOGY IN NURSING STUDENTS; RATE, CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS

The Knowledge of pharmacology in nursing education is important. So it’s'
learning plays an important role in pharmaceutical care skills in the future of their job. This study was
done to survey the frequency, causes, and solutions to overcome on the lack of knowledge of
pharmacology in nursing students.
Materials & Methods: This study is a cross – sectional, and it was conducted with all nursery students
in second, third and fourth year (n° of students: 197). Data is collected by a questionnaire, and they
were analyzed by SPSS (ver.16) finally.
Results: 86/9% of nursing students expressed that they have little knowledge in their pharmacology
and 95% of these students estimated their knowledge above the average. Among the possible causes
for this weakness can be; the volume of materials relating to pharmacology and its' presentation in one
term. Offering pharmacology in consecutive semesters was selected as the best solution to overcome
this weakness subsequently.
Conclusion: Awareness of weakness in pharmacology and its' estimation above average level by the
majority of students on the one hand and the importance of pharmacology in nursing education on the
other hand as well as its' role in training of qualified nurses, makes it necessary to seek serious ways to
overcome this flaw, and to improve the nursing students' knowledge on pharmacology.