How much chemistry is there in NS?

Jw1724 · Sep 16, 2008

Honestly, not a ton. Most of it seems biology based to me. Microbiology has some chemistry roots, and also pharmacology. You will be dealing with some chem in your nursing classes, otherwise I'm not sure you could understand the processes completely.

Tharem · Sep 16, 2008

Just curious - how much chemistry do you go over while in NS? How important is it to REALLY know and understand? Or is it more just for pre-req classes to give you some idea about whats going on?

You don't actually do anything you learned in Chemistry, like balancing formulas, calculating molecular weight, counting electron bands, naming chemical structures, etc. :no: It just serves to make the chemistry you'll deal with on a daily basis somewhat less mysterious and more comprehensible so you have some idea of what's going on.

lemonaidangel · Sep 16, 2008

Yeah, you don't do a whole lot with chemistry as they teach you in lab, but at least when you get test questions with CO2, HCO3, H20, K+, etc., you won't freak out because you know what it means. Carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, water, and potassium. It just makes it a little easier. ;-)

hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2008

Not as much as there should be.

/my two cents

RhodyGirl, RN · Sep 16, 2008

I had to take 8 credits of chem with labs before getting in to NS. And, yes, you do need to really understand chemistry.

Chem is a part of pathophysiology and understanding fluid/electrolyte balances, etc. Prerequisites are in place for a reason! Good luck.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2008

In nursing you need to know that basic chemical elements become electrolytes in solutions because our bodies our 90% fluid filled sacs with electrolytes floating around in them. There are 6 major electrolytes in the body that cause a heap of trouble when they are out of balance. Medicine is more concerned with the signs and symptoms they cause and how to treat them. But it helps to know that they are basic chemical elements. Principles of fluid and electrolytes (a major subject area in nursing) is a part of every nursing class and includes such things taught in chemistry class as osmosis and diffusion because these are going on in the human body all the time. The reason people get swollen feet, their lungs so congested with fluid they have difficulty breathing, or their blood pressure might go sky high because they are retaining fluid is because of chemistry principles.