Chemistry and CRNA School

Specialties CRNA

Published

I just want to get some opinions from you folks. My situation is this: Twelve years ago I took my undergrad inorganic chemistry. I didn't do very well at all, mostly due to the fact that I had too many outside distractions and school was not a priority. I got a "C" in that class. I just finished my Organic/Biochemistry course and was 1 of just a couple of "A's" in class (The class median grade going into the final was about a 71%.).

My question is, should I retake inorganic chemistry or just ride on the Organic/Biochem course grade for my chemistry area. My other science grades are great.

Anatomy--A

Honor's Anatomy (Independent Study) x 2 semesters--A

Physiology--A

Micro--A

Pharm--A

Statistics--C (This was taken with my inorganic chem course--blah!)

My current feelings are not to worry about the "C" from 12 years ago, but to focus on other areas such as some Cert's, doing well in my upper division courses that I'm taking now.

My ICU experience is strong and varied. Two years of ICU experience so far, currently working in a Level I trauma center's Trauma/Vascular SICU.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. This fall I'm heading back east to visit a couple of schools and will ask them what they would suggest.

I'd appreciate any input.

Thanks in advance,

Donn C.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Donn,

It sounds like your on the right track. Don't bother with retaking an old Inorganic chem, you did great in O. Chem and that's what the school will look at. If you do well on the GRE, you should have not problem getting into anesthesia school (As long as you interview well)! Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Donn,

At my university, inorganic 'general chem' is a prereq to organic. And since you got an A in organic (that's great!), don't you think it would be assumed that your OK?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Nah, don't retake it. I failed o-chem the first time around and got a D+ the second time I took it and I got in school. (Yeah, I had some explaining to do in the interview). Just focus on practicing your interviewing skills-- I honestly think the fact that I interview REALLY well is what got me in (especially considering my poor past performance in chemistry, although I do have a bio degree).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Emerald,

Congratulations on your acceptance!!! I am curious... did you retake orgo a 3rd time or just the 2 previous ones with the mentioned grades? Any other science courses/grad classes you retook? Did you take the GRE? I am interested b/c I am in the process of taking grad classes (just competed Pathophys and currently in pharm) and contemplating Orgo and maybe Gen Chem this fall all to help my chances of getting into school for 2005.... to make up for C's in the chems >10 years ago. I took the GRE, did well in the math portion and poor in verbal and not too excited about taking it again... But I did conquer the CCRN !yippee!

Congrats once again- you're awesome!!

Nah, don't retake it. I failed o-chem the first time around and got a D+ the second time I took it and I got in school. (Yeah, I had some explaining to do in the interview). Just focus on practicing your interviewing skills-- I honestly think the fact that I interview REALLY well is what got me in (especially considering my poor past performance in chemistry, although I do have a bio degree).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hawaii, I never took o-chem a 3rd time. I was going to if I didn't get accepted on my first attempt, but now no need!!! I think the admissions committee was impressed with the fact that I had a bio degree and took a ton of molecular bio type courses. My GRE scores were 1510 (old test). Personally, I think the fact that you have your CCRN will impress them more than taking o-chem. My undergrad GPA was only a 2.85 but I got a 3.9 in my nursing program. Basically, I said-- "I entered college without the study skills necessary to succeed in some of the more difficult classes, and I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my life. But then I discovered anesthesia and got a 3.9 GPA in nursing school." Be prepared to explain any weaknesses in your application. But anyway, to answer your question, o-chem really sucks-- it was definitely one of the weed-out classes at my college.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What sucks even more than O-chem is the chem course for crna programs especially if it's slam/blam thank you mam it's all over in 4 wks. At the end of my 1st class in my program and chem makes me want to commit suicide

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment