Bad in chemistry and still be a nurse???

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by ashemson
Aug 21, '02   Views: 1,478   Comments: 7

  1. Man, I just started A&P this week, and the whole first two or three chapters is chemistry, which I am horrible in. We are going over those chapters, and I am remembering NOTHING about the chemistry. Am I going to survive this class? I am hoping once we get past this part, I will start liking it, and maybe understanding it. Possible???
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    About ashemson

    Joined: Jul '01; Posts: 398; Likes: 15

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  3. by Sleepyeyes
    Aug 21, '02
    Joined: Dec '01; Posts: 3,165; Likes: 59
    yes, but get out the markers and 3x5 cards, and make flash cards and start memorizing this stuff, because you will definitely be seeing it again--in pharmacology, and in physiology....
    and in practice.

    There are always the docs who write for KCL or darn! I forgot the one we had last week in someone's TPN== but it wasn't KCL, it was Potassium something, and then there are lab orders for P, Mg, NaPO4, etc etc etc.
    But you CAN learn it.... yes you can...if I could, you can too.
  4. by sjoe
    Aug 22, '02
    Occupation: Retired Specialty: 15 year(s) of experience in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg ; From: US ; Joined: Aug '02; Posts: 2,246; Likes: 48
    No one is born knowing chemistry. There is no reason to demand of yourself that you EVER come to like it, and THEN you can learn it. Some things, you just have to DO and get them over with.

    Some people felt the same way about statistics, others did about anatomy. It is not as though all nurses just somehow liked ALL our subjects OR found them natural to learn. Chemistry is "a challenge" for you. Just take it as a challenge that will, one day, be over.

    Go for a C, not an A. It makes life easier and makes no difference on your NCLEX.
  5. by RNIAM
    Aug 22, '02
    Occupation: RN Joined: Jan '02; Posts: 1,732; Likes: 1
    There is a reason for all of these sugjects, I just haven't figured out what? lol.
    Anyways I just wanted to let you know that I feel your pain.Chem was ok for me but Algebra..well that's a different subject. I got a C in it and I was so proud of myself. Just do the best you can.
  6. by delirium
    Aug 22, '02
    Joined: May '01; Posts: 2,979; Likes: 7
    Hey, I'd like to suggest a book that we used in A&P for those of us who had 'issues' with chemistry.
    Its called 'Chemistry for biology students', and its a workbook style book with different chapters and exercises. Its really helpful, I think.
    I'll get you the ISBN if you're interested.
  7. by GPatty
    Aug 22, '02
    Joined: Aug '01; Posts: 3,725; Likes: 459
    You can do this....and A&P does get easier (it did for me). Carry the flash cards with you to learn, and you may want to consider trying the book MsPurp is telling you about. I had to get "extra" books to keep me going sometimes.....it helps...
  8. by ashemson
    Aug 22, '02
    Joined: Jul '01; Posts: 398; Likes: 15
    Thanks everyone. I really do love learning the anatomy part. But these first few chapters on the chemistry is killing me! I squeeked a c in chemistry last semester, and I was thrilled about that! But it all seems foreign to me again, I think because I "memorized" for the chemistry tests, and all that info just escaped me afterward....
  9. by Love-A-Nurse
    Aug 22, '02
    Occupation: ADON-LTC Specialty: 19 year(s) of experience in LTC, ER, ICU, ; Joined: Feb '01; Posts: 5,856; Likes: 36
    all the best to you.

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