hopes of becoming a CRNA

HARRN2b · May 26, 2006

I have the same questions! I am wondering if I buckled down and got a great instructor, if I could possibly master chemistry and some of the upper end science classes.

JiffyGriff · May 26, 2006

Chemistry courses are a good thing to have.........general and organic...some programs require organic. Other good ones to take are physics and pathophysiology. Statistics is required by all programs now. If you are going to take a grad level course then I would suggest a grad level pharmacology course. And you might want to try your post in the Pre-CRNA forum you can get to it by using the drop down list at the bottom if this page or by going to the crna forum and clicking the link at the top of the page.

Tranman · May 26, 2006

In my previous degree I didn't do so well in some of my chemistry courses and am wondering if I should retake them. I guess you could say, that I am more focused on my classes now. I am doing very well in nursing school, but my previous GPA isn't as hot, especially in my sciences. I know this may be a problem for me, but I hoping to get over this hurdle. Would you recommend retaking some chemistry classes and taking other bio classes that I haven't taken? Or, would you recommend to take master's degree classes upon graduation to prove myself?

So, I've been a CRNA for about 4yrs now, so it hasn't been that long since i've been out of school. Overall, I don't think the programs have changed much in 4 yrs.

-should you retake undergrad chem courses. There are pluses and minuses to this. Only you can decide. If you decide not to and your CRNA school recommends it, then you have no choice. Pluses: refresh your knowledge of chemistry (not a bad thing), improve your GPA, makes Graduate Chem a lot easier. Neg: cost more $, takes more time.

About Graduate school chemistry at least in the program I went to. 8 intense weeks of chemistry including general, organic, and biochem all in one course. Class was 4-5 hours a day 3 days a week. It was very fast pace. They had suggested we buy the bought and read through it in advance. I did and was very thankful. It was this course that weeded out 3-4 people in a group of 48 (3 schools combined)

-So my advice. If the school you wanna go to is ok with your gpa and doesn't require you to retake it, then I would just go to CRNA school now. No delays. Take the Graduate level chem that they require. Buy the book in advance and read through all of it. Figure out anything that doesn't make sense.

Also another great tip is to also buy a intro to chemistry book. This explains chemistry in layman's terms and can help tremendously with the tougher topics. I reccommend the author "Timberlake".

Trust me on Timberlake. You won't go wrong!. good luck.

pabsnstudent · May 26, 2006

Thanks for everyone who is responding. I think my retaking the biochem is to get accepted to CRNA school. I am hoping that they won't just throw my app aside if they see that I only got a 2.0 in my biochem, and at least interview me to give me a chance when I apply. I was thinking about taking it next semester, which wouldnt cost me more money, just more time.