Do Nurses Need Chemistry Education?

[Dr. O]

I am the chair of the department of Math & Natural Sciences that currently teaches our college's nursing students chemistry (BSN). The chemistry course is a total of 6 credit hours (1.5 general chemistry, 1.5 organic chemistry, 2 biochemistry, 1 combination laboratory). This chemistry requirement is significantly less than our students that pursue a physician's assistant degree, or even some education majors that want to teach at the elementary level. While reading the suggested courses for taking nursing boards, these three chemistry disciplines are listed. It is also my understanding that achieving a Bachelors degree could lead to the pursuit of becoming a nurse practitioner. It concerns me that our college may decide to remove chemistry from their curriculum; it concerns me more that one of their arguments is that other local four-year colleges are also dropping the requirement. I would love to hear any comments you may have....

[Melilem]

UMA did not even require chemistry (other than high school), but since the waiting list was SOOOOoooo long, I got most of a BA in biology while I waited. I have to say that the inorganic chem classes I took really helped with micro and pathophysiology, and Im sure they will come in useful when i start clinicals this fall (BTW- Prof Susan Baker at UMA is hands down, the best chem teacher EVER). I only regret that I don't have time to take biochem before clinicals start /:

[NaomieRN]

Chemistry is important to understand electrolytes and acid base balance.

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

Two different questions;

Should a 4 year BSN require chemistry?: I think so, it gives you a deeper understanding and I think with a Bachelors in anything you should have a deeper understanding of things.

Do Nurses NEED Chemistry Education?: Sorry, but no they don't, not unless they are looking at CRNA. I know I'm among few but I really believe 99% of nursing is OJT and nursing school simply serves as a means to weed out the wimps. I know, that's severely harsh but maybe my school was especially useless. But hey, they had a 97% pass rate on the NCLEX.

Sorry, my husband won't even let me talk about my nursing school; says I need to "get over it" and "let go". It was only 13 years ago.

[mrsalby]

I have taken several chemistry courses for a biochemistry degree while en route to my nursing degree. Although chemistry was grueling and not my favorite course, I found it very valuable.

I believe I had a better grasp on different pathophysiological processes, medication effects on the body as well as dimensional analysis. This understanding has helped my to excel a bit above my classmates that have not taken chemistry courses. Also, it has placed me in the position to help them grasp the concepts.

Understand, I am not saying that I am smarter than those who have not taken chem. I was fortunate to have taken the courses and was able to grasp certain things quicker.

Obviously, I am supportive of requiring chemistry for a nursing degree. The student can have a head start on the process of critical thinking.

[trepinCT]

Basic Chemistry w/ lab( 4 credits) is required for the ADN programs around here..High school Chemistry equivialent is acceptable. I see the need for a basic understanding of it, but my class was a mix of students- a few pre nursing, the rest mechanical engineering!!!! knew I was screwed( drawback to a Community college)..got a C- had no Chem background, 20 yeras out of High School..re taking it at another CC that has mostly pre nursing and Dental Hygene students..was told this professor gears it more for that type of student...memorizing the table of elements and gas laws(yes..had to memorize those!!), memorizing polynomials..all useless for nursing..needed more Chemistry geared toward my nursing, rather than engineering.

[Demonsthenes]

I am an R.N. and hold a B.S. in Biochemistry. I have found that this Biochemistry degree has given me fundamental insights into how the human body manifests itself through both normal and abnormal biochemical processes.

With this knowedge I can much more efficaciously assess and intervene as an R.N.

As a result of the logical consequences of this knowledge, I believe that a fundamental knowledge of biology, chemistry, and biochemistry is requisite for an R.N. to efficaciously assess the patient and intervene appropriately.

It is clear that, in the medical profession (M.D.'s) a degree in chemistry, biology, or biochemistry are considered appropriate under graduate degrees.

Biochemistry, as I remember it, is usually a course taught in the first year of medical school.

As a result, of the aforementioned, I believe that nurses should have a fundamental knowedge of chemistry, biology, and biochemistry requisite for obtaining their nursing degrees. :pumpiron:

[rnicupcu]

I think nursing should require additional chemistry. A true understanding of chemistry can save a pts life.... all too often I've heard nurses say two drugs are compatible b/c there was no precip in line. Incompat. can occur without precip. Chemistry is so relevant on so many levels regarding the care of a pt....

The more chem a nurse has makes pt care actually easier regarding understanding the plan of care, rationale, and pathophysiology and actually easier to explain things in simple terms to pts and family members.

[HealthShepherd]

Importance is a relative concept... that is, chemistry isn't either important or not important. It's more important than some things, and less important than other things.

So, if somebody is proposing to have more or less chemistry in a program, I'd want to know what other material is being given more or less coverage to compensate, before I can decide if it's a good idea.

For example: dropping a chemistry class to make more time for nursing theory? Bad idea. Dropping a chemistry class to make more time for pharmacology? Good idea.

[Spacklehead, MSN, NP]

How, why, and when did this thread return from the dead???! Also, not for nothing, but I am highly skeptical that the chair of a college's chemistry dept. would be hanging out on allnurses stirring the PA vs. NP vs. MD pot. I mean, REALLY???? Why do we entertain these folks over and over again??

[DoGoodThenGo]

Just throwing a bit of petrol on the fire! *LOL*

http://www.rsc.org/images/Scalise%20final_tcm18-58359.pdf

[Spacklehead, MSN, NP]

That's a fantastic study - add as much fuel as you'd like - but it's obvious that the OP was just trying to stir up more controversy by specifically calling out NPs. It just gets old after a while. Seriously.