Most relevant/useful pre-nursing science class?

CP2013 · Oct 28, 2012

I liked Biology. Taught a lot about the cellular level. Microbiology was great also for learning about infectious process. Both were Pre-Reqs for my BSN program though.

rubato, ASN, RN · Oct 28, 2012

Chemistry is being used a lot for the conversion factors as well as the electrolyte balances, sodium and calcium.

hodgieRN · Oct 28, 2012

One thing I see a lot on the forum are students having issues with math....drip calculation, conversions, etc. So, don't write off the math (I think only a couple classes are required) b/c it can come back to haunt you. I think one class will not let you proceed if you can't pass the drip rate conversion test. And I think stats in required. Make sure you keep up with it.

If you are going into the BSN program, be ready for writing papers! A/P, patho, assessment, bio, clinicals are only half of it. The other half is endlessly writing about nursing theory. Upper level courses will include nursing research, ethics, etc. And nursing professors are hard-liners when it comes to APA format. So much different than English 101. Make sure you get all the rules engrained in your head! You may know cellular structures or how a disease works but if you can't get a reference page right or properly argue an opinion paper, then you won't make it. My last class required a 20 page research paper on top of 4 previous ones. It had to be very concise and supported with all APA rules properly addressed. I'm talking endless amounts of format, rules, exceptions, argument, citation, peer-reviewed research, etc...it kinda sucked! But, they teach you how to write those essays, of course. The professors are basically prepping you for post-graduate work. By the end, you'll be able to turn them out, but the more you learn early on, the easier is will be.

You will take classes that you feel are a waste of time. Taking a history class or filling your cross cultural may seem stupid, but bachelor degrees are rounding out the whole spectrum of knowledge. You'll appreciate it in the end, so don't get discouraged that you have to take different classes that aren't nursing b/c they do matter.

All the sciences play a key role, even chemistry. Most people hate chemistry but the first portion of patho is basically chemistry and bio. And the first exam is the one they usually blow.

Stephalump · Oct 28, 2012

Eh, I'd say Micro and A&P. Math is important but it's not any particularly high level of math. I learned to do ratios in high school. Chemistry could e useful but they should teach you what you need to know (which isn't much.) You'll be expected to have an A&P knowledge base and you won't be retaught most of it.

I took my last A&P, math, and chem classes 7 years ago and with the rusty knowledge base A&P is causing me the most annoyance. I'm a little slower on the draw than my classmates with some of that stuff.

kaydensmom01 · Oct 28, 2012

Chemistry, but A&P was really the most beneficial to me. I do say chemistry b/c so many people had difficultly with math.

jt43 · Oct 28, 2012

A&P and Microbiology.

AgentBeast, BSN, RN · Oct 28, 2012

Pathophysiology bar none.

bardone · Oct 28, 2012

ScottE, you took pathophysiology before you enrolled in nursing school? I'm curious if your straight physio class helped with that.

I have the spring semester available to take a class or two that could benefit my time in nursing school. GenChem was one of my weaker subjects, so I may take that again. My Micro class covered bacteria (no viruses) so Virology would be useful. I've also thought about taking some courses in advanced/specialized nutrition.

bardone · Oct 29, 2012

Bumping this up in the hopes that other will see and respond!

Thank you!

metal_m0nk, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2012

Chemistry.

bardone · Oct 29, 2012

Which chemistry has been most useful: Gen Chem or Organic Chemistry? What about it has been useful?