Recommendations for additional undergrad coursework?

Specialties CRNA

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Hi everyone. I have watched this forum for the past several months and have enjoyed the recent activity.

I am currently doing prenursing coursework for a BSN program in Montana. I start the nursing program in the Spring of 2003. After this semester I will have finished all the required prerecs and therefore will have next Fall semester to take classes if I choose. I have an interest in anesthesia down the road. My question is: what additional classes should I take? I plan on taking physics and possibly Cell and Molecular biology. Does anyone have recommendations? The schools I have checked out say anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and physics. Any others?

Also, I was wondering about new nursing grads working in an acute care setting like an ICU. Is it hard to find jobs in these settings for a new grad? Thanks.

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On a related note, my BSN program does not require college-level chemistry as a prereq. It considers high-school level chemistry to be sufficient. While this seems unusual for a BSN program, it's okay with me since it's one less prereq to take. We will learn all the chemistry we need to know as part of our nursing classes. Do CRNA programs require one to have taken college-level chemistry or is the chemistry learned in conjunction with biology/nursing courses sufficient so long as you have a BSN? Not to mention I haven't taken physics since high school either, but I imagine very few people take college-level physics anyway.

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To answer dianacs question, I would say that no it is not ok to just go with high school chemistry and assume you are ready for CRNA school. Most programs require college level chemistry and are reticent to accept any less. I am glad that I went back and took those classes. I also am happy to have taken physics and some advanced biology such as immunology and molecular cell, and genetics.

The first two weeks of my program is going to be an inensive chemistry review, covering the two semsters of chemistry I took. I don't think high school chem is going to get you through that.

Craig

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Lol, nilepoc, I figured you were going to say that. I did not think hs chem would be enough either, but I figured I'd ask anyway. If CRNA is the path I take someday, I've got quite a ways to go before I get there. Thanks for the info.

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I'd reccomend biochem and an advanced physiology course for sure. Grad level anatomy and statistics might allow you to get out of those classes.

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Who recent does courses such as statisics? I have an undergraduate course and that was 1994.

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My stat course was from 95, and was accepted.

Craig

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Something I just discovered...the CRNA program here says that "coursework in chemistry and physics is desirable but not required". Now, if I were to apply to this program (in a few years--eons from now, it seems), I would want to have taken these courses. I agree that they would be extremely beneficial.

But, if I were to apply without having taken them, then at least the school probably won't laugh uproariously and stamp "LOSER" all over my application, eh?

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It seems to me that one would want to make their application as competitive as possible - let's face it, getting into CRNA school is competitive. My college Chemistry, A+P's, and Micro are from the (gasp) late 70's. Sooo... I am taking 2 semesters of intro chem this summer (with a lab..), also a non lab physics, and yes, a statistics course (almost every program wants a statistics course.) This fall I will take an organic chemistry course as well, (as well as taking the GRE's) in preparation for late fall applications. It just makes sense to me to be as prepared as possible; I wish I had time to fit in a more recent A+P and micro, and very well may try to do just that.

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Yes, I would highly recommend taking current "higher" level chemistry and biology courses. My chemistry was a decade old and I had to get permission to take Organic Chemistry from the local university. For all of you with old chemistry and A & P courses, there was a piece of advice given to me by one program director: "Make sure you ace all current science courses prior to admission to a CRNA program.....these courses are looked upon as the most important coursework" He, also, recommended that if you feel uncomfortable with taking these science courses, find a community college that offers these. This will help you ace the courses! Mind you, this is not because chemistry and biology courses are easier in community colleges, it is the fact that the instructors are more accessible for tutoring and questions. It is important that if you do not like chemistry or biochemistry, you must reconsider your path of studies...or find a way to enjoy it!:) In the CRNA program, it is known that, not only do you learn pharmacology...you learn it down to the cellular level.

p.s. Doug, you are doing the smart thing, indeed! I wish I fit in more, prior to my admission process!

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