Chemistry??

Slobgob · May 17, 2005

Honestly, the best answer is: You should take longer than a year. What's your rush? You can't take 3 chemistry classes and gain competency in the ICU in 1 year... Take a few years...

If you're content on rushing though...

Most schools offer a two semester Chemistry track that combines Intro-Chem, O-Chem, and Bio-Chem all in two back-to-back classes.... Its usually called "Chemistry for Health Science Students"... or something like that... You may want to look around for something like that...

LNsrna · May 17, 2005

It will be pretty stressful being a rookie ICU nurse learning some pretty intense stuff and taking classes which require time and energy. It's possible if you're a natural A student. Depends on the individual. When I was a rookie some 13 years ago, I took off one semester after getting my AS in order to focus on learning ICU. After one semester, I felt I had enough ICU knowledge under my belt to continue working toward my BSN. Be aware that you will be learning to care for critically ill patients. Your patients will be the real deal. As a rookie, this takes an enormous amount of mental energy. Personally, I would wait a couple of years before applying. This will give you plenty of time to bang out all of your prereq's, prepare for GRE, and work on the application process which in itself will take much of your time.

Good Luck

sandman1 · May 17, 2005

I didn't know you could have a BSN without ever taking a single chemistry class.

Learn something new everyday I guess.

I see that most schools require a class in Organic Chem. Since I haven't taken a Chem class, this means 3 Chem classes (Chem I & II, & O) :stone . Unless - can you take O-Chem or Biochem without taking Chem I & II?

I am a new grad starting in the ICU . How possible is it to learn to be an ICU nurse and take all these Chem classes all in 1 year :uhoh3: ?

RPCV · May 17, 2005

You can take organic without the general chemistry classes - a lot of schools chemistry departments will waive the pre-reqs dependant on your situation. I think you will be better prepared with the general chem classes - but it is not a hard fast rule. In my case I am taking orgnaic chemistry with only 4 credits of general chemistry (section I) - I have premission from the department.

Asking never hurts!

Good Luck!

pinkisnoopi · May 17, 2005

i took a semester of biochem at a community college while i was working as a rn in a sicu. my undergrad (uva) never required us to take a lick of chemistry while i was in the nursing bsn program, so i didn't. the community college allowed me to enroll in the biochem course w/ no problems. i think it may depend on the school; it doesn't hurt to try to enroll..

btw, i'm starting crna school this fall--yipee!

SaraB · May 17, 2005

I thought CRNA schools did not look favorably at community college courses, am I mistaken? May I ask which school you got into? Congrats!

Maxs · May 17, 2005

I thought CRNA schools did not look favorably at community college courses, am I mistaken? May I ask which school you got into? Congrats!

Where did you hear that from?

Maxs

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · May 18, 2005

My degree is from my state university, but I took both chem classes at the community college for logistical reasons. I got into two schools. I don't think they care much.

pinkisnoopi · May 18, 2005

i thought crna schools did not look favorably at community college courses, am i mistaken? may i ask which school you got into? congrats!

sure! i got into georgetown.

i don't think crna schools care much, as long as the courses are approved & you do well in them. i actually took biochem as well as statistics at different community colleges, fyi..

pigtails · May 18, 2005

Chemistry is a very big part of becoming a competent clinician. If you don't like the physical science, you may not enjoy anesthesia.

Remember, nothing worth doing is ever easy. The salary is appealing, but there is a reason for it.

Nursing school and anesthesia school are incomparable.

If you are new nurse, in an ICU, expect to be overwhelmed. I would not add chemistry at this point.

kmchugh · May 18, 2005

I am a new grad starting in the ICU . How possible is it to learn to be an ICU nurse and take all these Chem classes all in 1 year ?

Sara

You might also look into schools that require no more chemistry than what was required for your undergraduate course work. There are those that feel as though they can teach you the necessary chemistry and physics once you start the program. I know that Newman University (where I went) is one of those schools.

Kevin McHugh