Integrating pathophysiology and pharmacology in nursing education: student perceptions, learning outcomes, and implications for clinical competence

Abstract

Background: Understanding pathophysiology and pharmacology is essential for nursing students to ensure safe medication administration and clinical decision-making. In response, an integrated course was developed to help students translate theory into practice and build the competencies required for safe, effective care. Objective: This main aim was to identify strengths, challenges, and the practical applicability of acquired knowledge to inform targeted instructional improvements. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional survey among nurses’ student at Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) during the 2024/2025 academic year, to evaluate students’ perceptions of the integrated pathophysiology and pharmacology (IPP) course. Data was collected using a validated questionnaire covering four domains: course content and difficulty, general pharmacology, general pathophysiology, and medication management. Statistical analyses involved Fisher’s exact test, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, and internal-consistency assessment with Cronbach’s alpha. Results: Of 236 eligible students, 150 participated (63.6%). Most agreed the course was appropriate (86%), the content was manageable (81%), and delivery was satisfactory (89%). 72% felt confident applying pharmacology concepts in clinical scenarios. Notably, 62% agreed they could recall drug names, side effects, and contraindications, the weakest measurement relative to other areas, highlighting a memorization gap. Higher GPA and longer weekly study time were independently associated with better understanding across all of the domains (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The integrated course improved nursing students’ understanding and application of pharmacology, highlighting the need for strategies that reinforce knowledge retention strategies. Thus, this may reduce stress and resilience which remains a key factor of performance during clinical placements.