Did taking Chemistry really help you become a good nurse?

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm looking at nursing programs and it seems only about 2/3 require Chem/organic Chem. To me, that seems like a lot of material that some nurses will have, while others won't.

Does knowing extensive Chemistry help in nursing school or in the hospital setting?

Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

I still think you need to learn the whole "language" of Chemistry, not just how it is applies to specific areas of human phyisiology.

I never thought about the Physics class, though. I wish they had required it now. I work with ventilators, and I admit a background in physics would've been a helpful foundation for me.

Specializes in Operating Room Nursing.

I believe that chemistry is important to nursing. If you have the responsibility to give someone a drug then you should at least have a basic understanding of how the body reacts to it.

Specializes in being a Credible Source.
I never thought about the Physics class, though. I wish they had required it now. I work with ventilators, and I admit a background in physics would've been a helpful foundation for me.
It's also quite helpful when trying to understand hemodynamics and infusion technologies.

I couldn't agree more with the poster who said (to paraphrase), "It's the difference between being a 'thinker' and being a 'doer'"

I think it helped me look at Pharmaceuticals that are given to my patients much differently. I also had to take Physics along with Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. Well worth it.

otessa

A basic understanding of chemistry will help you in nursing. The concepts behind acids and bases (ie. Hydrogen ions), metabolic acidosis, metabolic alkalosis, resp. acidosis and resp. alkalosis. These are real-life nursing situations and chemistry will help you comprehend these topics more fully. Good luck.

Absolutely!! Chemistry came into play even more when I worked in the ICU-can't imagine not understanding those concepts in that arena.

otessa

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

"did taking chemistry really help you become a good nurse?"

doesn't matter. for most nursing programs you will need it so just suck it up and take it. :D personally i don't think the basic chem that i took really did too much to enhance my nursing background. i'm not sure what courses people took that helped them understand how medication was metabolized and i learned to about acid/base balance and electrolytes in nursing courses but whatever. take it, pass it and move on to the good stuff!

Dear raininghere : If you want to get any respect and know what the hell YOU are talking about , please do a little research before you post . " Nursing is one of the the only health care professions that does not require a masters degree " is absurd . What about Respiratory Therapist , CNA , LPN , OR Tech , Registered Nurse Associates Degree , X-Ray Tech , Wound Care etc..... I am not debating the fact that chemistry is a relevant , essential part of nursing , but your high and mighty BSN attitude is much more ignorant and harmful to the nursing profession than any weakness in chemistry .

WHOA - easy there. CNAs, LPNs, OR Techs, RTs are all considered TECHNICIANS of some sort, not professionals (wrong or right, that's the way it is).

And - not to start some degree war here, because I'm really not interested in that whole argument - we are pretty much the only profession anywhere that doesn't require even a BS.

Yes. It does help alot especially in Pharma.

Of course Chemistry helps you become a good nurse! EVERYTHING we learn helps us to become better nurses. I happen to think that everything we learn helps us to become better companions, friends, mothers, fathers, spouses, neighbors, etc.

Why wouldn't we want to learn everything we can? AND, why wouldn't we want to keep it up throughout our lives, long after we've passed the NCLEX???

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