Chemistry!

Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2017

Usually it's kind of a "dumbed down" chemistry course.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2017

You should brush up on basic algebra if you are actually "terrible" at math. Many nursing schools will require you to score 100% on nursing pharmacology math questions.

allnurses Guide · Mar 30, 2017

What Horseshoe said, you need the algebra for med calc as much as for chemistry.

quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN · Mar 31, 2017

What the others said and, should you find yourself struggling with chemistry, get a tutor.

PrereqTaker89 · Mar 31, 2017

I'm in Chem now. Definitely brush up on algebra as its mostly a problem solving class.

Wlaurie, RN · Apr 6, 2017

Wasn't much algebra in my Chem class. I was in my late 40s when I took it as a prerequisite. Did have to take an algebra as a prerequisite too. I haven't had chemistry since 7th grade.

I didn't understand much in the college chemistry class had over 50 people in class and the teacher thought we were all chemistry majors (you know the type). I recorder the class and took lots of notes and wound up getting an A. Now I couldn't tell you a thing about chemistry and it doesn't pertain to what I do as a nurse. Just another hoop I had to jump through to get done. My sister is a nurse and the college she went to didn't require chemistry. Long story short you can do anything if you're willing to put in the extra time/effort.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Apr 6, 2017

Wasn't much algebra in my Chem class. I was in my late 40s when I took it as a prerequisite. Did have to take an algebra as a prerequisite too. I haven't had chemistry since 7th grade.
I didn't understand much in the college chemistry class had over 50 people in class and the teacher thought we were all chemistry majors (you know the type). I recorder the class and took lots of notes and wound up getting an A. Now I couldn't tell you a thing about chemistry and it doesn't pertain to what I do as a nurse. Just another hoop I had to jump through to get done. My sister is a nurse and the college she went to didn't require chemistry. Long story short you can do anything if you're willing to put in the extra time/effort.

Many fields in nursing require at least some familiarity with some of the basic concepts of chemistry.

My chemistry class required a lot of math. DH is really good at algebra, so he gave me a really good refresher course in it while I was taking that class. Also made an A in it, but that was far from being an easy A.

littleboyboo · Apr 7, 2017

I'm in Chemistry Health, it's Chemistry 151. It's not the easiest subject to tackle IMO. It's a pretty difficult subject at times. I can tell you some of the things you'll be learning: metric system, conversions, moles, chemical equations, polyatomic ions, solutions, Lewis structures, protons, neutrons, electrons, and the list builds on. I also recommend get down allot of the periodic table, because you'll have to know the symbols. My professor did NOT provide a periodic table telling us what each symbol stood for! It only had the numbers.

The class average was a C+, and that's all I know. Sure, you got B's every now and then. It also depends on the difficulty of your professor. Like I said, mine was a little hard at times. I had to drop the chemistry the first time because of taking too many subjects, and I didn't have the time to study the chemistry as much as I should to get higher grades. In my program, you have to score a C+ or better in order to succeed into nursing school.

Don't expect it to be a walk in the park. STUDY! STUDY! STUDY! At least 2 hrs / daily. And NO, it's not all algebra. There is some algebra -- yes! However, the math isn't the easiest in the chem. If you suck at math, you need to start getting it down. Buy the book "Chemistry for Dummies" or "Chemistry Made Easy".... they help!

Good luck to you!