importance of prereqs?

Bonny619 · May 21, 2007

My experience is that it hasn't popped up too much, especially chemistry. Chemistry to me, was harder than all of my nursing courses. But nursing is very different, it's critical thinking, questions are not black and white.

I think A&P was very helpful, having a good basic knowledge of the way the body works.

Thedreamer · May 21, 2007

I cant speak for most but my background in chem and bio REALLY help me understand what the medication is DOING to the body, how its working and WHY it works.

I wouldnt want to give a med if I didnt have some clue on how it functions within the body. I think having even those basic pre reqs gets you a good foundation for learning as a nurse! :) Take care!

-the dreamer

nightshifter415 · May 21, 2007

I feel like it took me FOREVER to finish those prereqs, and when I was finally done I thought to myself, "Geez, I haven't even started clinicals yet...I wonder when all this busywork is going to subside..."

2 years later, with 2 semesters left in my BSN program I realized that the prereqs did help, and in my experience the chem came back to haunt me in the phamacology portions and even deciphering the critical lab values and electrolyte imbalances. Micro...well yeah the micro comes back in small pieces here and there when referring to pathophysiology of certain conditions. A & P is just, something you HAVE to be familiar with at all times.

I know how crazy it can get, but once you're done with all the prereqs it does actually get better! Good luck!

Natkat, BSN, MSN, RN · May 22, 2007

My school doesn't require chemistry so I didn't take it. It has come back to bite me over and over. I wish I had known that. I would have found some way to work it in. I plan to take it over the summer.

Preregs are never wasted. You will always use the information some form or another. Every class I've ever taken in college has been useful for something. Knowledge is never wasted.

Raeth · May 22, 2007

Every class I've ever taken in college has been useful for something. Knowledge is never wasted.

Definitely agree with that.

You don't have to be wonderful at chemistry, but it will most likely help you to have the general knowledge... same with all the other sciences. I got a 4.0 in every science and math course I took. Still, I know how you feel... I had to take English 101 twice. :uhoh3:

Just try to get the best foundation you can right now. You won't remember most of it in a year anways. Hopefully the general concepts will stick with you and you'll be able to grasp it better when you have to look something up.

Good luck!

JoniL&DRN · May 22, 2007

I think A&P are obviously well utilized. Pay attention to that Physio now so you will understand the Patho later. I didn't think I'd EVER use Chem (and in fact my school quit requiring it, which I think may be a grave mistake) but boy when we got to fluid/electrolyte/acid/base stuff I was sure glad I did remember Chem. Even though I wouldn't have necessarily not understood without Chem, having it made the whloe picture make that much more sense (and that much less you had to learn). Also I had a semester to spare between finishing pre-reqs and starting the program and I took a medical terminology which has been very helpful as well. The ability to break words down really helps the comprehension.

Good luck!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · May 22, 2007

since i have been an rn for 32 years i can give you a definitive yes on that. you need a background and knowledge in these subjects in order to understand and apply them to the pathophysiology of the various diseases that patient's have. you need this knowledge to assist you in the critical thinking process that you are going to be taught in nursing school. professional nurses rely on critical thinking in making decisions about patient care. many patient treatments are grounded in the basic sciences of chemistry, biochemistry and microbiology as well as sociology, psychology and a few others that i'm sure i'm forgetting. in nursing school you are expected to learn "why" treatments work. as a nurse you will see a doctor's order for a medication and as part of your critical thinking process you will ask yourself "why did he order that drug?"; part of the answer will be based upon the science involved in both the pathophysiology of the disease process as well as an understanding of how the chemistry of the drug works on a cellular level in the body to change or correct that disease process.

triciac · May 29, 2007

I agree, these pre-reqs are important especially later in the program. Plus it's a good time to develop strong study habits.