[MollyS]

Okay, now that I've gotten in and I am beyond excited to start my classes in the fall, I am also nervous at the same time. I am taking the advice from my previous post and I am going to take it easy until school starts. However, I wonder if you guys can give me a little heads up on what your didactic portions were like when you started your program. I mean how does your chemistry, etc. tie into everything. I can see knowing gas law equations and having a solid fundamental knowledge of chemical principles but I guess I just have that apprehension from not knowing. Are there chem labs? Are you balancing chem equations? I know all programs are different but the curiosity is driving me crazy!

[CougRN]

check the aana websiite at their bookstore. there is a new book on chem/physics for anesthesia. it is very comprehensive and probably more than you will need but if you want to study ahead i would suggest it.

[MollyS]

Thanks for the tip. I went to the AANA bookstore site and I am not sure which book it was that you were talking about. Do you know the title? Thanks!

[heartICU]

Originally Posted by MollyS

Okay, now that I've gotten in and I am beyond excited to start my classes in the fall, I am also nervous at the same time. I am taking the advice from my previous post and I am going to take it easy until school starts. However, I wonder if you guys can give me a little heads up on what your didactic portions were like when you started your program. I mean how does your chemistry, etc. tie into everything. I can see knowing gas law equations and having a solid fundamental knowledge of chemical principles but I guess I just have that apprehension from not knowing. Are there chem labs? Are you balancing chem equations? I know all programs are different but the curiosity is driving me crazy!

I finished my chemistry/physics class last semester. Think cellular physiology plus chemistry and physics. Titles of my lectures in that class include:

Inorganic/Organic Chemistry Review
Classification/Naming
Cyclic Hydrocarbons
Functional Groups I & II
Chemistry of Hemoglobin
Vaporization
Biotransformation
Gas Laws
CO2 Absorption
Hydrodynamics
Diffusion/Osmosis
Capnography & Pulse Oximetry

Hope that helps!

[CougRN]

The Chemistry of Drugs for Nurse Anesthetists, Lemont B. Kier, PhD, and Cynthia S. Dowd, PhD, 365 pages, AANA Publishing Inc., 2004. "The Chemistry of Drugs for Nurse Anesthetists serves as a reference text for all anesthetists. This book...serves to enlighten readers regarding the chemical and physical properties of therapeutics foundational to pharmacology."

[MollyS]

Thank you for the tips, it really helps to visualize what will be studied so I can at least think about what I know and maybe where I will have a harder time. Thanks!

[apaisRN]

I haven't balanced equations since chem five years ago. I'm taking organic online this summer as my program required of me, but I'm worried I'll have a hard time in organic because general chem has long since faded from my brain. It will be good to have the organic fresh in my mind when school starts, though. I may buy the book mentioned, too.

MollyS, you and I should keep in touch and compare notes when school starts!

[MollyS]

Thanks apaisRN! Will definitely keep in touch. I am in the same boat except my chem was 3 years ago. I keep pondering taking org. chem online as well. I feel like I am having a mental mind war with myself....follow advice and relax..brush up on chem..Where are you taking the online chem? Good luck and keep me updated

[UCDSICURN]

Originally Posted by apaisRN

I haven't balanced equations since chem five years ago. I'm taking organic online this summer as my program required of me, but I'm worried I'll have a hard time in organic because general chem has long since faded from my brain. It will be good to have the organic fresh in my mind when school starts, though. I may buy the book mentioned, too.

MollyS, you and I should keep in touch and compare notes when school starts!

I hadn't had chemistry in nearly 10 years when I took organic/biochemistry last spring. I did fantastic. You don't balance equations in o-chem and the only reference to inorganic that I can remember is/are London forces which will take all of about 2 minutes to review.

Good luck ApaisRN...

[apaisRN]

Thanks, UCDSICURN. That takes a load off my mind. I'm squeezing this online course in between my current job, my pathophys course, and my camp nurse summer job (hopefully). I don't want to have to relearn inorganic as well!

MollyS, I am planning to take it at UC Berkeley extension. It's a 3-credit course and you can take up to 6 months to finish. UNE encouraged me to take the course they offer, but that one is 4 credits and costs a bit more. Also you have to do it in 16 weeks, I believe.