chemistry and physics

SproutRN · Jun 30, 2005

Hello all,
I have read here previously that college level chem and physics are required to apply to crna school. I am in the process of wrapping up my bsn and my advisor will approve for me to take chem and/or physics as a nursing elective since anesthesia is my goal. On average, is it preferred that you take biochem and any specific physics subject matter? Just trying to get a feel for what wouls benefit me most. Thanks!!!!

My advice is to skip the physics, you will not need that in depth for CRNA school. Plus they will teach you the physics you need to know.

My program has a semester of biochem. and I had taken it before so the material was not as foreign to me.

Sprout :nurse:

CougRN · Jun 30, 2005

no need to take physics, i'm not aware of any school that requires it. o-chem is required by quite a few but not all. most bsn programs include chem II which has o-chem in the class, are you sure you didn't take that already. unless biochem is required by your school i don't think you need to tackle it either. i know of only one school that requires it and they let you take it after you are accepted. check out the schools you are interested in before taking on new classes.

brainfreeze · Jul 5, 2005

I am currently applying to three different anesthesia schools, and I took organic chemistry, and even the ones who don't require it are very impressed that I took it (and made an A) because they can use it as a predictor or future success. I also heard from a CRNA at VCU that those students who took the class are doing much better in their wickedly hard physiology class 1st year, so I would recommend it. I have not heard anything at all in all my research on all the schools suggesting that physics or biochem would be recommended, but as it is a science course, it couldn't hurt, either.

longroadahead · Jul 5, 2005

For entrance into my BSN program I was required to take a one year sequence of chemistry (inorganic, organic, and biochemistry - my school does quarters, not semesters). Does this qualify as the O-chem you are referring to? I know my chem classes were aimed for the pre-nursing students and were lower community college classes. I also know that the community college I took my prereqs at had a much higher organic chem series (three full terms of it). I think the higher level O-chem was aimed for engineering students. Is the chemistry I took adequate?

I'm confused...

brainfreeze · Jul 5, 2005

For entrance into my BSN program I was required to take a one year sequence of chemistry (inorganic, organic, and biochemistry - my school does quarters, not semesters). Does this qualify as the O-chem you are referring to? I know my chem classes were aimed for the pre-nursing students and were lower community college classes. I also know that the community college I took my prereqs at had a much higher organic chem series (three full terms of it). I think the higher level O-chem was aimed for engineering students. Is the chemistry I took adequate?
I'm confused...

You will probably need to do some research, I took the upper division (pre-med) version, but is sounds as though you have an excellent background for the class. I didn't take the "pre-nursing" chemistry initially either though, honestly because it annoyed me that they had , at the school I attended,anyway, dumbed down the requirements to this very simple introductory 2 semester intro to inorganic and organic chemistry, specifically for nurses, and I have a huge chip on my shoulder about being able to prove that we as nurses are as intelligent as any other profession and do not need these classes which wouldn't even be accepted for any other degree. I think nursing needs to raise its standards. Sorry for the rant. I think the fact that you are looking into extra classes is great and speaks well to your determination. I am sure you will succeed. :angryfire