How critical is chemistry to passing micro?

[SoCaliGirl]

I haven't taken chemistry since high school...over 10 years ago. It's not a pre-req for the nursing program, but everyone "recommends" it as a precursor to microbiology. So when they say "recommend" does that mean that if you don't take chemistry, you will have a difficult time in micro? I don't mind taking it, but if it's not necessary I don't want to waste my time when I could be taking a different class or using the time to focus on the ones I'm already taking.

Thanks!

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

I totally suck at chemistry, and still got an A in micro. I didn't really find much of a need for chem to take micro, outside of some VERY basic concepts. I never really used much of anything I learned in chem in nursing to be honest, other than the way basic things like acid/base balance.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

I would imagine that Chem would be a pre req for Micro or Patho, maybe not for the nursing program itself but for one of the classes that is There were a handful of chapters in Micro that covered Chem and my teacher would not review them at all but they were on the test. She wouldn't review them because Chem was a requirement to get into Micro.

At my current college Chem it self though was not a Pre Req

I already had taken it though because I did all my Pre Reqs in WA State except for Micro and they required Chemistry and Organic Chemistry.

Then Some of Pathophysiology will be a review of Microbiology such as the different Hypersesitivites, Inflamation and the other Immune responses and AIDS so make sure you know those well and it will help when you get to Patho. :)

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

Also when you get to Pathophysiology, make sure you have a good understanding of the Fluid Bases and Electrolytes. My professor said knowing that well, will give you a big step in Nursing, that a lot of his students later told him how thankful they were that he grilled that into their head because of how much it helped once they were in NS.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I went to a community college that required you at least have high school chemistry - which I did - 20 years before.

I took Anatomy first, then physio, then micro. If I had it to do over . .I'd take physio first. It is all encompassing - gives you a good foundation for anatomy and micro.

I loved micro - got an A.

I don't think you need chemistry to get through micro. But I guess it depends on which school you go to and how they teach.

steph

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

You did Pathophysiology before A&P or are you talking about the Phyisology part of the Anatomy classes?

At both of my school A&P was 1 two part class, you couldn't pick the order it was A and P 1 and then A and P 2. You were not allowed to take Pathophysiology until after you had taken the A&P classes.

[vashtee, RN]

If chemistry is not a prerequisite for your micrbiology class, you should be fine.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

You did Pathophysiology before A&P or are you talking about the Phyisology part of the Anatomy classes?

At both of my school A&P was 1 two part class, you couldn't pick the order it was A and P 1 and then A and P 2. You were not allowed to take Pathophysiology until after you had taken the A&P classes.

Physiology and Anatomy were separate classes. I didn't take a pathophysiology class. Patho is the study of disease, right? That was part of physio.

steph

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

No, Physiology is learning all the body systems and functions, (if I worded that right) Pathophysiology is all about learning the diseases that effect those body parts and other immune responses. Learning the Dx tests and S/S for those diseases as well. Very interesting class. At both my colleges you had to have this class and the Nutrition before you graduated te NS program but they highly recomended that you take it BEFORE you start NS school if you can. I am taking Patho and a 3 Credit Nutrition class right now and I start NS in the fall.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

No, Physiology is learning all the body systems and functions, (if I worded that right) Pathophysiology is all about learning the diseases that effect those body parts and other immune responses. Learning the Dx tests and S/S for those diseases as well. Very interesting class. At both my colleges you had to have this class and the Nutrition before you graduated te NS program but they highly recomended that you take it BEFORE you start NS school if you can. I am taking Patho and a 3 Credit Nutrition class right now and I start NS in the fall.

I think the patho part was in physiology, anatomy and micro at my school.

steph

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

Hmmm I have never heard of that, what school do you go to? Of all the colleges I researched and checked out, all of them required a separate pathophysiology class usually while in NS. Micro went over many of the viruses and bacterias that caused many diseases as did A&P for us, but Patho is in a whole other field of its own.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Hmmm I have never heard of that, what school do you go to? Of all the colleges I researched and checked out, all of them required a separate pathophysiology class usually while in NS. Micro went over many of the viruses and bacterias that caused many diseases as did A&P for us, but Patho is in a whole other field of its own.

A community college here in California. I've been surprised since I've been a member of allnurses - how different everyone's experiences in school and on the job are.

steph

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

Me to, this site all together has been bitter sweet LOL.