Hey, it's another o-chem question...

New CCU RN · Feb 11, 2004

I don't think it will make or break you... if you have everything else going for you, I am sure if you explain the circumstances they will be okay with it.... however, I would work my butt off to at least get the B... it is my understanding that B's are just fine... just as long as they are balanced out w/ some A's as well......

Roland · Feb 12, 2004

by sitting in on an Organic lecture taught in one of the larger class rooms (at my schools these will seat several hundred students). When I have had several hours between classes, I have often "sat in" on Organic, Physics, and other lectures. One time I got "caught" because I had the professor for General Chem II, he ribbed me a little and wanted to know why I wasn't going to be a chemistry major instead of wasting my life in nursing! Another tip is to take the class at a JUCO, where you wouldn't be competing against as many pre-med, and chemistry majors. There's nothing worse than getting 100's on tests and learning that Stephen Hawkings down in the front row got a 105% because he found ERRORS on the exam!

vaRN · Feb 16, 2004

I am taking an organic chem class online this semester. So far it is much easier than the on campus UAB class I took in 1995. They even send you a lab CD so you get the lab credit also. The class is offered through

Weber State in Utah and its not cheap. Out of state, the class totals 700 dollars, but it was worth it to this full time MICU RN that had no time to attend class.

stevierae · Feb 17, 2004

The school I am most interested in applying to does not require ochem, but I'm taking it anyway because another school I am interested in does. So far ochem has been challenging to say the least. Two questions: 1) Let's say I do apply to the program that does not require it and I--ahem--have received a B or a C in ochem. Is this a huge deal? All other sciences are 4.0 so far, and assuming other education and work experiences are at or above par, will this be a detriment? I want to finish this ochem class once and for all; I don't want to drop it or retake it later. 2) For a program that does require ochem, would a B or C look bad? What's the word on the street? Thanks.

Be glad it's organic and not physical chemistry!

I went back to college in the '80s with the idea of getting a degree in biochemisty and doing research (changed my mind.)

The P-Chem majors were the "Steven Hawkings'" of my school.

There was even a BUMPER sticker that said, ""Honk If You Passed P-Chem!"

tommy · Feb 17, 2004

I am taking an organic chem class online this semester. So far it is much easier than the on campus UAB class I took in 1995. They even send you a lab CD so you get the lab credit also. The class is offered through
Weber State in Utah and its not cheap. Out of state, the class totals 700 dollars, but it was worth it to this full time MICU RN that had no time to attend class.

I took the same class through Weber State.... got an A- (which I was surprised as anyone). I would go that way. They tell you exactly what you need to know to do well in the class. Since you are going to finish the one you are in, a B doesn't look bad especially when you have done so well in your previous science classes-- get the B! good luck.

septicwad · Feb 18, 2004

Why is it important to do well in organic chemistry? Is is it because success in organic chem is used as a measure of one's potential to succeed in anesthesia school? I would think that achievement in physics would be important, also. Organic chemistry at the undergraduate level is rote memorization.

stevierae · Feb 18, 2004

Organic chemistry at the undergraduate level is rote memorization.

I beg to differ--if you really understand it, you do not have to memorize. You should, however, have a decent working knowledge of the periodic table of the elements.

You understand the structure of bonds, double bonds, triple bonds--or, to put it differently, alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes. You can construct and name them on demand.

I can remember DREAMING of various organic compounds and picturing their bonds, double bonds and triple bonds in my sleep.

You also understand redox---I loved redox.

And gas laws--how could any aspiring CRNA NOT LOVE gas laws?

I am not a CRNA, but an operating room nurse. I loved those things. I don't think I am as smart as most CRNAs are. If I could do it, and I could, and did, then you surely can!

I loved O-Chem. Give me a periodic table and I can tell you anything you want to know.

Gosh, college--those were some fun years!

vaRN · Feb 18, 2004

Why is it important to do well in organic chemistry?
Many CRNA programs require that you have taken o-chem within 5 years of applying. Some want you to retake it if you did not get a B or higher. Being that I first took it in 1995, I had to retake it for the program I was accepted into this year. My admission is pending until they receive my transcript.

mbrian46 · Feb 20, 2004

I took O chem last year and missed an A by 1.5 points. Ahhh. Anyway, ended up with a "B" in the class. If you can make an A, do it, if not don't worry about it. I started an anesthesia program this year, so far no B's in my classes. In my physics/chem. class this semester we will cover O chem in just one lecture.

Roland · Feb 20, 2004

Personally, I wonder how useful Organic will REALLY be in the unlikely event that I EVER find myself in CRNA school. I've had THREE organic classes to date (two when I was pre-pharmacy plus one for nursing prerequisites that included Bio-Chem) plus a biochemistry class. I received over 97% in all of them, and could tell you virtually NOTHING about organic chemistry. Yea, I suppose I could predict which compounds might be water soluble verses oil soluble with some slight degree of accuracy and other really basic stuff. However, Organic tends to leave your head like a fleeting dream (which can be good or bad depending upon the experience) which is forgotten by your second bowel of cheerios.

I think that the CRNA schools that require O-chem do it basically because they CAN. It's one more way to "weed out" people who shouldn't be their (in their minds). Yes, anesthesia is based upon organic principals, but ask any CRNA who has been out of school (or MDA for that matter) for more than six months a basic Organic question such as : "Why do the two chair conformations of two cyclohexane molecules become non equivalent when one of them has a Hydrogen replaced with a Methyl group?" and you are likely to get a look of alarm rather than discernment. It's kind of like pharmacy schools requiring TWO semesters of calculus. I have spoken to research chemists at companies like Lilly's who say that even THEY don't utilize calculus in their research, let alone your average pharmacist working as Walgreens filling prescriptions. However, it is required because it is one more method of whittling down the number of aspirants to pharmacy programs. It all comes down to supply and demand in the final analysis.

septicwad · Feb 20, 2004

I beg to differ--if you really understand it, you do not have to memorize.

What is the frame of reference from which you speak? I took two semesters of organic chemistry in graduate school; undergraduate organic :zzzzz IS an excercise in rote memorization. By the way, I think I learned a thing or two about the periodic table somewhere in grad school. :rolleyes: