Chemistry skills relevant to nursing

Blackheartednurse · Dec 11, 2009

Really there isnt too much of chemistry that you will be using in nursing except maybe diluting meds:))

bobbyinseattle · Dec 11, 2009

You need chemistry knowledge in order to understand what's going on in Anatomy & Physiology, biological processes, drug interactions, nutrition. Almost every prerequisite nursing course I took built on chemistry knowledge in some form or another. I'm just a new nursing student, but I would imagine the math/dimensional analysis skills that you learn in Chem 101 is also valuable for calculating things like med dosages, etc. in the real world.

Up2nogood RN, RN · Dec 11, 2009

You shouldn't give up your dreams just because of a chemistry class IMHO.

I just had to take basic chemistry and while it doesn't relate to my nursing practice it was required and built a foundation for classes that DO relate to practice ie A&P, microbiology,nutrition.

SteffersRN87, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2009

Chemistry is a good foundation for courses such as anatomy & physiology, microbiology, and nutrition. It also helps with the pharmacology and pathophysiology components of nursing school. I can tell you that I barely made a B in high school chemistry and did very well in nursing school. I would not give up your dream of being a RN. Good luck!

GilaRRT · Dec 11, 2009

Chemistry is the foundation of everything, save for the study of fundamental particles and string theory. Chemistry explains the billions of hydrogen bonds present in our body, to the action of ibuprofen on arachidonic acid metabolism, to the structure and function of the very proteins within the human body.

A basic chemistry class is very much doable. Many nursing programs do not require two semesters of dedicated general chemistry and two semesters of organic chemistry, therefore the chemistry course you will have to take will likely be a hybrid with basic concepts and fundamental problems. Taking chemistry prior to A&P and microbiology should actually help you quite a bit.

If you are able to complete simple linear algebra and dimensional analysis problems, you should have no problem with the math requirements of these basic chemistry courses. Good luck.

Jubilayhee · Dec 11, 2009

Well, I don't like Chem either, but I did fine in my biology classes.

chenoaspirit, ASN, RN · Dec 11, 2009

They took chemistry out of our nursing prereqs AFTER I graduated. It isnt like Im going to explain to a patient how a tylenol affects them at the cellular level. However, it did give a great foundation of knowledge. Its a hard class, but interesting, but isnt used much in actual nursing. Others on here may disagree, but we were just discussing this at work a few days ago how chemistry did little for our nursing career.

Lacie, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2009

I didnt like chem either and my program required 3 semesters of it!! Inorganic, Organic and Biochemistry for my BSN. I found it was useful particularly when it came to pharmacology and pathophysiology classes and the ability to put it all together in my practice. When you start looking at body processes there is a great deal of chemistry involved. Many of the research you may encounter depending on which direction you decide to go down the road you will see chemistry involved. Many of us just go about doing the "routine" of the job and dont really think about all the processes, maybe we should (if we are given time also to do so lol). You may hate it now but down the road you will be glad you payed attention.

josinda421 · Dec 11, 2009

Sweetie, after you've gotten you prereq's out of the way, you don't really need chemistry in nursing. I can't remember the last I used chemistry since I've started working as a nurse

GilaRRT · Dec 11, 2009

So, if we do not use chemistry, we simply give medications as ordered, without appreciating the physiology of the medications we administer? What about the concepts of energy production and protein denaturation? Are these not critical components of patient care? We need to make and utilise energy and have proper conformation of our proteins for things to work. If we do not appreciate chemistry, why do so many nurses loose the plot when they are called with a critical lab or note an arterial PH of 6.9?

Lacie makes a great point. Some of us may simply go through the "routine" of the job without appreciating the consequences (good, bad, and otherwise) of our actions.

In fact, a neat situation just occurred. I am having to take additional chemistry courses as part of my program, and I just completed a chem course with an EMT-I who is padding his transcript in order to be more competitive on the nursing admission list.

He was recently in a code situation where a massive dose of sodium bicarbonate was ordered. No pre-existing bicarbonate responsive metabolic acidosis was present and no history of drug overdose was identified. He questioned the order and ended up using his knowledge of Le Chatelier's Principle and the effect on a specific equilibrium to argue that giving bicarb can lead to a build up of CO2 and elimination of the CO2 would be altered in an arrest situation. He was able to convince the provider to order therapy that was more consistent with current AHA guidelines.

Blackheartednurse · Dec 11, 2009

So, if we do not use chemistry, we simply give medications as ordered, without appreciating the physiology of the medications we administer? What about the concepts of energy production and protein denaturation? Are these not critical components of patient care? We need to make and utilise energy and have proper conformation of our proteins for things to work. If we do not appreciate chemistry, why do so many nurses loose the plot when they are called with a critical lab or note an arterial PH of 6.9?
Lacie makes a great point. Some of us may simply go through the "routine" of the job without appreciating the consequences (good, bad, and otherwise) of our actions.
In fact, a neat situation just occurred. I am having to take additional chemistry courses as part of my program, and I just completed a chem course with an EMT-I who is padding his transcript in order to be more competitive on the nursing admission list.
He was recently in a code situation where a massive dose of sodium bicarbonate was ordered. No pre-existing bicarbonate responsive metabolic acidosis was present and no history of drug overdose was identified. He questioned the order and ended up using his knowledge of Le Chatelier's Principle and the effect on a specific equilibrium to argue that giving bicarb can lead to a build up of CO2 and elimination of the CO2 would be altered in an arrest situation. He was able to convince the provider to order therapy that was more consistent with current AHA guidelines.

You dont have to be a chem genius to pass meds,that is why we have MDs and pharmacist when sh..hits the fence! And actually I rather know the most important side effects of meds and check for allergies than breaking apart the chemistry of meds,