Should I take Chemistry BEFORE I take A & P I ???

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I never took Chemistry in high school. The course catalog recommends Chemistry but it isn't a prerequisite. I'm really worried about A & P after hearing so many people say how hard it is. Will it be tougher with no Chemistry background ???? I was planning on taking both in the same semester along with Algebra II but am not sure if I should hold off on A & P I until after I take chemistry. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks !!!!

I have a bs in micro and I'm pretty sure a patient with c. dif would feel it's pretty relevant to every day nursing lol...anyway I'm interested in public health and infection control so it's certainly important from my perspective... :)

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I have a bs in micro and I'm pretty sure a patient with c. dif would feel it's pretty relevant to every day nursing lol...anyway I'm interested in public health and infection control so it's certainly important from my perspective... :)

I don't understand how a virus replicates inside a single cell helps you with everyday nursing. Tell me what and how specific action a nurse has performed on the job as a result of having taken microbiology class. A nurse is not able to diagnose patients with c. dif since they are not doctors. If a nurse is not able to diagnose that condition then most likely a doctor did so, a doctor should also come up with treatment options. So a nurse knowing of microbiology (I think) doesn't seem to help, the treatment for the patient should be set in stone already. All the nurse would do is administer treatment on the patient with c. dif, I see microbiology not helping here. I'm not a nurse, but I'm seriously considering pursuing a nursing career.

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I don't understand how a virus replicates inside a single cell helps you with everyday nursing. Tell me what and how specific action a nurse has performed on the job as a result of having taken microbiology class. A nurse is not able to diagnose patients with c. dif since they are not doctors. If a nurse is not able to diagnose that condition then most likely a doctor did so, a doctor should also come up with treatment options. So a nurse knowing of microbiology (I think) doesn't seem to help, the treatment for the patient should be set in stone already. All the nurse would do is administer treatment on the patient with c. dif, I see microbiology not helping here. I'm not a nurse, but I'm seriously considering pursuing a nursing career.

I am not a nurse, either, but doing my best to understand why we take the courses we take and how they apply to what nurses actually do. I know a floor nurse won't diagnose the c.dif, but will use precautions to avoid spreading the c.dif. Gloves, masks, gown, etc.....Knowing why any and all of these precautions are used is an essential to every day nursing. If you take micro not only do you learn what clostridium difficile is you learn what is used to treat it, symptoms to look for in a patient that might have it or be resistant to meds and how to avoid spreading it yourself.

As far as viruses go....most intro micro courses cover aspects of immunology, T4 helpers, CD4 counts, etc etc etc....so if you have an HIV+ pt on HAART knowing why an antiretroviral drug is used is is kindof important imo when answering patients questions about their lab results and educating them about their treatment in general. I suspect nurses step up to the plate a whole lot in this regard and ought to have at least the minimum of information on what is making their patient sick.

Nurses swab my kids throats and walk back and perfom a rapid strep test right in the office. I certainly hope they took micro and know what s.pyogenes is and why it's important to follow that lab up with a culture even if the Dr. got busy and forgot to mention to follow up...I also hope a nurse treating necrotizing fasciitis knows what a Group A hemolytic strep or MRSA is since she's treating a patient that could die from it and IMO that nurse better know a bit about how it's spread since it's kinda important to avoid sharing the love with everyone else.

Getting stuck with a dirty sharp would be no worse than getting bitten by a poisonless snake if it weren't for the microbes we try to avoid, so knowing potential contaminants in blood is pretty important since I've never seen a nurse toss a used syringe into a sink or bedside trashcan.

As the last advocate standing between a patient and the business end of a sharp needle I want to know what's in a syringe and why I am giving it regardless of who ordered it before I push it into a living, breathing human being.

I hope that is specific enough, otherwise I just don't know how to answer the question....

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The nursing program at my school doesn't require chemistry, but I'm gonna take it because I know I'm gonna need it down the line when I go for my BSN.

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Specializes in nursing student.

I would highly recommend Chem before A&P.

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Specializes in SDU, Tele.

I am going to take AP before Chemistry... my adviser said it was highly recommended also but really it depends on the person. If you have a lot of time to study, you'll be good. And usually, like some posters said, basic chemistry is taught in AP books. It is probably the 2nd or 3rd chapter. If you are concerned, then get a Chemistry cliff's notes study guide(you can get it super cheap online--used) and read up on it. I wouldn't worry about it. :)

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We had a chapter in Anatomy that had some items that were related to Chemistry. It was hard for me because I had no experience with Chemistry. If you can swing it I would take it first, but just so you know I still got a B+ in the class without it.

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