Anyone heard of O-chem as a prereq?

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I'm starting to figure out where I want to apply for nursing school (in CA) so I can get all the prereqs done beforehand. I've noticed that they vary a bit from school to school but all require things like A&P, micro, stats, psych, sociology, human development, chem, bio, etc.

I was really interested in Cal State Hayward for the location and program, but a quick glance at their website turned me off. They require O-chem as a prereq!! :uhoh3:

I took chem my first semester in college and hated it (so I switched from Biology major to Spanish). In order to take O-chem I'd have to do another semester of general chemistry beforehand. Yuck! CSU Hayward is the only place I have ever seen an o-chem requirement. Has anyone else seen that? PLEASE tell me I don't have to take o-chem! :chair:

Meghan

Check with your school as to what they mean by "o-chem." Here in Hawaii they have a course for the science major, which would be the harder organic chemisty class (prereq for that would be 1 full year of general chem for the science major.).

For the nursing student, however, they specify the requirement as "chemisty with an organic component," which is very different from the course mentioned above. The prereq for this class would be "Elemental survey of chemistry" for the non-hard science major.

Hope this helps. :)

Amber

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Check with your school as to what they mean by "o-chem." Here in Hawaii they have a course for the science major, which would be the harder organic chemisty class (prereq for that would be 1 full year of general chem for the science major.).

For the nursing student, however, they specify the requirement as "chemisty with an organic component," which is very different from the course mentioned above. The prereq for this class would be "Elemental survey of chemistry" for the non-hard science major.

Hope this helps. :)

Amber

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When I was researching schools, I found several that had O chem as a pre-req, but the ones that did not require it far outnumbered the ones that did.

You could always contact the school and see if they require you to have all of your pre-reqs completed before you enter the program. many of the schools I applied to will allow you to take a class or two of pre-reqs while in the nursing program (you could take it as a summer course so it wont be too hard on you)

good luck!

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When I was researching schools, I found several that had O chem as a pre-req, but the ones that did not require it far outnumbered the ones that did.

You could always contact the school and see if they require you to have all of your pre-reqs completed before you enter the program. many of the schools I applied to will allow you to take a class or two of pre-reqs while in the nursing program (you could take it as a summer course so it wont be too hard on you)

good luck!

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

O-chem is not "harder" than general chemistry. It is not algebra based like gen chem, it is more conceptual. Actually most people who did not do good and hated gen chem usually enjoy and do far better in o-chem because it is totally different.

I certainly would not let a class scare you out a program or school that you want to go to!!

Marilyn

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

O-chem is not "harder" than general chemistry. It is not algebra based like gen chem, it is more conceptual. Actually most people who did not do good and hated gen chem usually enjoy and do far better in o-chem because it is totally different.

I certainly would not let a class scare you out a program or school that you want to go to!!

Marilyn

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Specializes in L&D.

Yes, at my school organic chem is a prereq for nursing. Biological Chemistry is also a prereq (O-Chem is a prereq for Bio chem), AND Clinical Nutrition is a prereq, (Biochem is a pre-req for Clinical Nutrition), and no, these can't be take as a co-req for nursing.

Good luck!

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Specializes in L&D.

Yes, at my school organic chem is a prereq for nursing. Biological Chemistry is also a prereq (O-Chem is a prereq for Bio chem), AND Clinical Nutrition is a prereq, (Biochem is a pre-req for Clinical Nutrition), and no, these can't be take as a co-req for nursing.

Good luck!

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I am looking into other options besides the MEPN program at USD, and SDSU (San Diego State University) requires Organic Chemistry as a prereq. So you're not alone! ;)

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I am looking into other options besides the MEPN program at USD, and SDSU (San Diego State University) requires Organic Chemistry as a prereq. So you're not alone! ;)

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Let me clarify...I didn't mean "harder" in regards to how difficult o-chem is vs. general chem is, but the level of difficulty of "o-chem for the science major" vs. "chemistry with an organic component" for the non-science major. :) I actually liked both my gen. chem and o-chem sequences, I thought they were very interesting classes.

And Marilynmom is correct, don't let a class intimidate you. Study smart and keeping envisioning the end goal of nursing school graduation! ;)

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Let me clarify...I didn't mean "harder" in regards to how difficult o-chem is vs. general chem is, but the level of difficulty of "o-chem for the science major" vs. "chemistry with an organic component" for the non-science major. :) I actually liked both my gen. chem and o-chem sequences, I thought they were very interesting classes.

And Marilynmom is correct, don't let a class intimidate you. Study smart and keeping envisioning the end goal of nursing school graduation! ;)

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