Chemistry Preparation

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, MICU/SICU.

Hello all,

I plan on applying in a few years. I will begin my RN-BSN in January 2008. I took Gen Chem1/2 quite a few years ago. I plan on reviewing or re-taking PRN. My question is, do I need both Organic Chem I&II to be successful in the CRNA program? What about biochemistry?

Thanks!

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Hi Sue -

My program required 1 year of inorganic chemistry (general) and 1 semester of organic within the past 5 years. The first class we took was graduate level Chemistry and Physics, which was the "make or break" class in anesthesia school. This class was very heavy organic chem, and people who had taken it more recently were definitely at an advantage. Hope this helps!

SLSB2

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Specializes in IMCU.

Not sure. But what Iam doing is minoring in Biochemistry. Which requires the courses of General Chemistry 1 and 2, Organic chem 1 and 2, and Biochem 1 and 2. I'm not sure if I should take inorganic chem though. It isn't requiired for the minor, but I am not sure if it would help me in my future crna indeavors.

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Hi Sue,

I just this week visited the university I am considering applying to in a few years and spoke with one of the faculty in the anesthesia program regarding my weak chemistry background. First of all, it was HUGELY informative speaking with this professor, and I highly recommend it for anyone who has questions about a CRNA program or needs some individualized counseling regarding the best classes to take to get in a good position for applying in a year or two. I basically have almost no chemistry to speak of and did poorly in my sciences way back in my bachelor's degree many moons ago. When I went to nursing school, I went for an ADN and did not have to take any chemistry at all. I was told by this professor that I need to take a basic chemistry course (he said it doesn't really matter where I take it, as long as the school is accredited) and ace it, considering my poor record during my bachelor's. :uhoh3: Then I will need to take an organic chemistry, and this university happens to offer a really tough one online. If I manage to wrap my head around general chemistry (I'm determined!), then I will take that online course. If I do well on both of those and the GRE (did really well on the SAT eons ago, so hopefully that is an indication), my app will look pretty good. I did ask him about physics and statistics and biochem (all of which I am also totally ignorant of), and he stated they would be very helpful for me as far as making the CRNA program more doable, but that they would not be required.

So that's where I stand.......I'm already on a list to get the schedule for the chemistry course starting this January at my local community college, and we'll go from there. I think chemistry is so basic to everything you do in CRNA school that I am determined to get a good foundation in it.

Again, I'd highly recommend talking to somebody at a CRNA program you would be interested in attending so that you are not stabbing about in the dark as to what classes you should take or what preparations you should make.

Lauren

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I just bought ( to preread in case I get accepted) my programs Chem book. It touches on gen, organic and biochem. None of it looks too perplexing. A friend who is in CRNA school now says that chemistry isnt really the priority. She signed up for a tutorial class on saturdays and did nothing else to prepare for the class. She said that the Patho/Anatomy class is the real kicker.

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Specializes in SRNA.

It looks like you'll be applying around the Philadelphia area - you won't need biochem or organic. You won't need to review or retake them either.

-S

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Not sure. But what Iam doing is minoring in Biochemistry. Which requires the courses of General Chemistry 1 and 2, Organic chem 1 and 2, and Biochem 1 and 2. I'm not sure if I should take inorganic chem though. It isn't requiired for the minor, but I am not sure if it would help me in my future crna indeavors.

Inorganic chem 1&2 and General chem 1&2 are one and the same....Just to clarify(People make that mistake all the time).....And.... I have never seen an undergraduate biochem 1 AND 2.....Biochem is a stand alone class...What university or college are you attending? There is Analytical Biochemistry, but that is a class all of its own also.......General Biochemistry 1&2 are usually given at the graduate levels because they are considered 500 level courses... they are usually reserved for those in the biochemical fields... so I am truely interested in knowing what schools would offer this type of course work as a minor....That would superseed any course work that is done by Biology majors, Biotechnology majors and Bioengineers majors at the undergraduate level.....

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, MICU/SICU.
It looks like you'll be applying around the Philadelphia area - you won't need biochem or organic. You won't need to review or retake them either.

-S

Won't need them to be accepted or won't need them to do well in the program?

TIA!

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Specializes in IMCU.
Inorganic chem 1&2 and General chem 1&2 are one and the same....Just to clarify(People make that mistake all the time).....And.... I have never seen an undergraduate biochem 1 AND 2.....Biochem is a stand alone class...What university or college are you attending? There is Analytical Biochemistry, but that is a class all of its own also.......General Biochemistry 1&2 are usually given at the graduate levels because they are considered 500 level courses... they are usually reserved for those in the biochemical fields... so I am truely interested in knowing what schools would offer this type of course work as a minor....That would superseed any course work that is done by Biology majors, Biotechnology majors and Bioengineers majors at the undergraduate level.....

Kutztown University in Pennsylvania

http://www.kutztown.edu/acad/physci/BioChem/Biochem_minor.htm

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Those are 300 level courses, that is not what I am referring to.....but I still find that interesting.... maybe Kutztown includes Biophysical Chemistry as their #2 instead of a different class....Have you taken them yet? I know Kutztown very well......My best friend went to Millersville University..she was up at Kutz all the time..(this is ages ago)

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Specializes in SRNA.
Won't need them to be accepted or won't need them to do well in the program?

TIA!

You won't need them to get accepted and you really won't need them for the program. I'm in the middle of the physics and chemistry class right now and it's really just chemistry and physics for anesthetists. No worries.

-S

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Specializes in IMCU.
Those are 300 level courses, that is not what I am referring to.....but I still find that interesting.... maybe Kutztown includes Biophysical Chemistry as their #2 instead of a different class....Have you taken them yet? I know Kutztown very well......My best friend went to Millersville University..she was up at Kutz all the time..(this is ages ago)

No, I have not taken them yet. So, I am not 100% sure what is taught in each class. Of course I know the basics what is taught. But, in terms of how deep they go into it , not sure.

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