Chemistry Question - Is it necessary?

SuperHelper · May 11, 2013

I agree with dawniepoo. You will spend more time with fluid and electrolytes than you think and knowing chemistry helps a lot in that regard.

rubato, ASN, RN · May 11, 2013

Fluid and electrolytes are a nightmare in my nursing program. And, I was required to take chemistry and got an A in it. I use it every single week in nursing school.

douxmusique · May 11, 2013

I would like to find out from nursing students if they feel that chemistry is a necessary pre-req to do well in nursing school or on the TEAVs?
My school of choice does not require it as a pre-req, but they do require students to take biochemistry within the nursing program.
I was planning to take chemistry for understanding chemistry questions on the TEAVs since I have no chemistry experience other than what I have learned in cellular biology.
Do you use chemistry very much in nursing school? Is it needed to do well on the TEAVs, or could I do some basic home study and khanacademy.org for chemistry?
If I don't have to take it I can apply for nursing school in the spring of 2014, otherwise I have to wait until fall 2014.

I took chemistry as a prereq in my kast semester if prereqs and I really wish I had taken ig first. I love how much it helped me tie everything from micro to patho to a&p in. It was a huge help especially with understanding conversions within the metric system and stuff.

If you can swing a good basic chem review to just have the basic down solid id do it, even just some online tutorials and videos and stuff.

3aremyjoy · May 11, 2013

It wasn't a requirement for entry at my school, but I am OH SO THANKFUL that I took it! It's made A&P much easier, as well as fluid and electrolytes. It really helps you to wrap you mind around things much more quickly.

TC3200 · May 12, 2013

Some schools bury it in there under the things that you should have taken in high school. So read the prereqs and admission criteria carefully. I think typical freshman chem would be overkill for RN school. Some colleges have a special section of chem for nurses.

The answer the original question, some exposure to chem is necessary and beneficial.

FuturePsychNP · May 12, 2013

FuturePsychNP, could you clarify a bit! I plan to do some home study using Barron's EZ Chemistry and Khanacademy. I am interested to know how much one uses chemistry in nursing school! Thanks!
I will take it if it is truly prudent, just need clarification! :-)

Like I said, it's not necessary. Any chemistry from general to organic to biochem will aid in the understanding of physiology (which is my favorite part of healthcare). An example that immediately comes to mind is action potentials. Read about depolorization and the phrase "less negative." Without having an understanding of chemistry do you know how two sodium and potassium (both positively charged) could be "less negative." Electronegativity. A good lesson in itself.

dawniepoo · May 12, 2013

Like I said, it's not necessary. Any chemistry from general to organic to biochem will aid in the understanding of physiology (which is my favorite part of healthcare). An example that immediately comes to mind is action potentials. Read about depolorization and the phrase "less negative." Without having an understanding of chemistry do you know how two sodium and potassium (both positively charged) could be "less negative." Electronegativity. A good lesson in itself.

Good point about action potentials.

olioxenfree · May 12, 2013

You could alsways do a little a Chemisrty learning on your own over Winter or Summer break. There are many free and low lost websites to learn from. That way you can get your feet wet, without having to wait an extra semester.

its.jess.duh · May 12, 2013

I took basic chemistry, and it was just that-basic! It wasn't anything new from the chemistry I took in high school. While I haven't actually started nursing school yet, I feel like everything they taught in the class you probably already know, or could find out pretty quickly online. I only had a couple of chemistry questions in the TEAS and they were easy, just review the Chemistry section of the TEAS study guide book and I'm sure that will be all you need.

Trenata · May 12, 2013

I was trying to decide if would do some learning on my own vs. taking an actual class. Also I was trying to judge how important it is to have a strong basic understanding in chemistry, which it sounds like it is important, but that I can possibly do it on my own vs. taking another semester long class and paying for it. As I said my university does include biochemistry as part of the pre-nursing program, but doesn't require chemistry. So, I requested the syllabus to see what the biochemistry class covers. I have had the basics in both my biology and A&P class including action potentials, depolarization, and electronegativity. Maybe not all A&P's cover this material, I don't know.

I appreciate every ones input - I am definitely seeing that chemistry is important and that getting a basic foundation will be useful. So that is definitely what I will do!

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · May 12, 2013

I am glad the OP has come to that conclusion*. I was in shock when I read the responses that said, in one form or another, "my program doesn't require chemistry" or "I can't see why it would be important."

AllNurses is full, full of questions and answers that indicate how vitally important it is for a nurse to have a solid scientific background in order to make intelligent judgments about patient care activities. These include queries about fluid administration, the meaning of laboratory studies, the implications of electrolyte levels, the mechanism of drug actions and interactions, oxygenation and acid-base balance, edema, wound healing, cognition, weakness, tremors, and so many more things I can't spend all day listing.

None of these things can be fully appreciated without an understanding of the underlying chemistry. Anyone who thinks otherwise wil say, "Well, I know what to do when I see..." may be right or may be wrong, but is certainly, well, incompletely informed.

*we took one full year, two semesters, of chemistry and a third semester of organic chemistry

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · May 12, 2013

This is one area where schools widely differ. I'm trying to get into a graduate program once I finish my BSN and I'm required to take Chem I & II, Organic Chem I & II and Biochemistry before I can even apply. I'm working on the Chem as I work on the BSN. I noticed OP stated that she only had to take Biochem. In our area, you can't take Biochem unless you've had 1 semester of Gen Chem and 1 semester of Organic Chem first. The only non-pre req chem I could find was Intro to Bio Chem, but it's an extremely basic course and is even a lower level than Intro Chem.

Which goes goes to prove...it's like comparing apples to oranges when you look at pre-reqs between schools. Yes, I feel Chemistry should be a requirement. It's fundamental to many concepts you'll learn later (as mentioned above with acid-base balance, action potentials, etc.)