Chem prep??

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Aug 8, 2003

The biggest help would be familiar with common nomenclature (C2H3O2- Acetate, AsO4-3 orificenate, etc etc puke) be familiar with Molecular Structure, and of course how the periodic table works (I thought that was fun though and fairly easy!) and metric system (easy enough).

I know at my school they do expect you to have an basic chem background for ~college~ level chemistry. So it really depends on your school I am sure and what your Chem background is- did you have a good high school course in it? Is this a *college* level Chem class or *intro* class? That makes a big difference- who the class is for (is it geared for nursing students or who?) and what type it is?

Just some things to think about......

Marilyn

AmyLiz · Aug 8, 2003

I took an intro to Chem class, but that was all that was required for me to take A&P. I need it to take biochem as well if I decide to take that class (biochem isn't required by my ADN program, but I may take it so I won't have to when I go through an RN-BSN completion program). I think that if you haven't had any chemistry before and they are requiring you to take a college-level chem course, you may want to go ahead & take an intro class. That would make it easier, I think.

Jen2 · Aug 8, 2003

When I took Chem, I never had it in high school, and found it to be very difficult. I signed up for the free tutoring that my school offered from day 1, and this is the best advice I can give. My tutor saved me. Also, never miss a class. Good luck.

PennyLane, RN · Aug 8, 2003

I took chem in high school and college. I didn't learn one thing more in college than I had already learned in high school. So I agree with the others, it depends on your background. Do you have a basic understanding of periodic table, nuclear weights, #s, atomic structure, etc.?

dianacs · Aug 8, 2003

You know what I did, I checked out an intro-level chem textbook from the school library and worked through the first few chapters, including the exercises at the end of each chapter. That gave me a good foundation for when I took my first chem class. I also used Chemistry Concepts and Problems: A Self-Teaching Guide. Bought it off Amazon. It nicely explains concepts and has lots of exercises, though I found it to be less in-depth than gen chem requires. But you'll get a foundation, which sounds like what you're looking for. Good luck!

Jen2 · Aug 8, 2003

I just thought of another tip. We were not allowed to use those real sophisticated calculators in my chem class, so check with your pro. b4 you waste money. However you will need a very good calculator. I got mine at Staples for about $20.00. It is a Texus Instruments TI-30X IIS and I loved it. Just make sure you know how to use it b4 class starts, because my professor was an absolute genius but he couldn't show us how to use our calculators lol.