Biochemistry and Physics

[srna2be]

I have two questions to ask. First of all, I would like to know what aspects of physics and chemistry are important in the study of nurse anesthesia. Are you taught everything you need to know about how these subjects relate to the practice of anesthesia while in the anesthesia program itself, or do you need a very strong background in these subjects in order to succeed? I am asking this as I am taking both of these courses via distance education and I am retaining very little of the subject matter. Secondly, I am trying to come up with ways to finance my education. I am possibly going to get tuition paid by an anesethesia group if I get in, but I am sure that I will have to take out student loans to survive and support my family. Do you guys think that it is too much to ask the anesthesia group for some living expenses in addition to the tuition while I am in school?

[gravitycure]

hey srna2be -

the program i'm in did not require any more chem than a general class. i, however, would recommend taking @ least an organic chem class. we are taking a crash course in organic and biochem. not taking the class has been a challenge with the work i am working through now.

good luck, as far as the $$ there are posts on this site that offer great help.

gc.

[futurenp]

Would you recommend taking both biochem & organic chem? What about physics?

[SproutRN]

Would you recommend taking both biochem & organic chem? What about physics?

Personally, I had all three classes in undergrad and the biochem background helped me, but neither of the other two. You get all the physics you will need in your program.

Sprout

[Tony35NYC]

I'd like to hear current info from anyone who recently got accepted into CRNA school about the math and science prequisite part of their program. Would you say that a heavy background in math, biophysics, and organic chemistry helped influence your admission? Or do they teach the components you need during the first semester of the program?

I'm still a year and a half away from being eligible to apply to the program but I'm thinking about taking some classes in biology and organic chemistry during the spring and summer next year, and another math and physics class during the fall. Is this overkill?

[gravitycure]

hey -

as far as the prereq - i would not worry too much. you must have @ least general chem and college allegbra. the only math you "really" need is the calculations you learned for drug calculations.

as far as the classes to prepare - chem - whether it's organic or bio

physics you will get in the program. there are differences for classes in and outside of the cirriculum. the physics you will take will be geared toward anesthesia. the chem though -

there is an educational DVD set out by a group of people called "the standard deviants" they took a new approach to lectures. i found it @ the school library and watched it over and over. it helped a ton. i did not have any o-chem.

good luck

gc.

[Quincke]

I took a year of general chem and a year of organic chem in college, but not biochem or physics. I found the organic to help some, but the lack of biochem or physics did not hurt. You will be taught all you need in your program. I can't say about the $$ situation, but I think you should just talk to the anesthesia group, but I do know that many people have money from groups and take out pretty big loans as well...but you will be able to pay the loans back down the road (sooner than many others).:)