Can you succeed in BSN programs without Chemisty?

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · May 17, 2015

I was a Chem major until I barely passed 2nd semester inorganic. Have a BS in Biology and my BSN. I got enough from what I did and it is valuable, bit you will be allrightwith out it. Think ahead though-you might need it somewhere down the line.

BertG77 · May 17, 2015

Of all the things I took away from various chemistry classes, the most valuable was how to do dimensional analysis. Use it all the time for medical math exams. I am horrible at remembering formulas.

Miss.LeoRN · May 17, 2015

I am only in an ADN program, but Chemistry is not a requirement of it. However, three of the BSN programs I am looking into also do not require it. I know other programs though that have required it. I suppose it just depends on your state and your school.

Dimensional Analysis is the most valuable thing I ever took out of high school Chem. You can learn DA without taking chem. I learned DA through my nursing program's dosage calc class, and the most chem I've ever needed to know was involved the human body and that I learned in A&P. Never really used the rest of it.

Asystole RN · May 17, 2015

You do not have to be great at chemistry to be a great nurse but it is really very helpful to at least take a college level chemistry. Even if you struggle through it, to at least get an understanding of what you do not know is an invaluable tool late on.

calivianya, BSN, RN · May 17, 2015

My BSN program technically required chemistry, but I placed out. I last took chemistry in high school in 2005, and took the AP exam then which got me credit for two semesters of chemistry. By the time I went to nursing school from 2010-2013, I didn't remember a dang thing about chemistry. I still graduated with honors. I would say a lack of chemistry knowledge is not going to break you!

Anna S, RN · May 17, 2015

I am an ADN, and I was required to take chemistry. I'm really surprised to hear that some BSN programs do not require it.

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · May 17, 2015

There was some basic chemistry in my A&P. Was not required for my ADN; of course that was in the previous century. My RN to BSN didn't require it either and I finished that 18 months ago. My graduate program is not requiring it either but I don't think most do except perhaps I imagine most CRNA programs might.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · May 17, 2015

I am an ADN, and I was required to take chemistry. I'm really surprised to hear that some BSN programs do not require it.

Me, too! My ADN program required it, why would a BSN program not?

Did my course in chem give me some special edge in nursing? Not in the least. But at least I don't have to take it again if I keep continuing my education

mzrainydayz, BSN, RN · May 17, 2015

I didn't have to take it at my college, and I didn't, but I hear others say it helped with understanding algebra and acid base balances in nursing school.

BertG77 · May 17, 2015

It definitely helps build a foundation of understanding how chemicals interact in the body, not just in terms of acidosis and alkalosis.

blah_blah_blah · May 18, 2015

my ADN program didn't require it, but my BSN did. I had to google "dimensional analysis" because I had no idea what it was, and that is because it was called the factor label method at my school. I did learn it in my chem class (that I took before my ADN program) and I really struggled with it. When I found out I needed it for my med calc class at my ADN school, I was very worried. But for some strange reason I had no issue with it in nursing school. Go figure.