Is chemistry important to become a nurse?

[strawberryluv]

My chemistry class is frustrating me to no end. I don't even get why my nursing program

requires pre-nursing students to even take chemistry I and II. I've heard it from nurses

themselves that they don't even use chemistry nor remember it. What is the point

of learning chemistry? Other people tell me its a "weed out" course which I think is true.

I am struggling in this course now, my average is a 78%. I think its just going to get worse.

I am so scared and frustrated because this is the only class I am having a problem with.

I just think chemistry is so pointless. Who cares about redox reactions or how to draw

resonating structures.

[SingDanceRunLife]

I haven't taken chem since I was in 10th grade, and I'm in my first year of nursing school and doing just fine!

I definitely don't think that you need it for nursing...

And a lot of chem in A&P?? Not the classes I took!

[moma8gma1]

I also struggled through Chem, so you're not alone. I enjoyed what I understood, but was frustrated when I couldn't "get it." I felt so stupid, until I realized that my classmates who were earning A's were taking the class for the 2nd or 3rd time!

ALL of my nurse friends told me to "just get through it," and they insisted they didn't remember a thing from Chem, nor did they ever use it in their jobs.

Chem WILL come in handy, though, when you're doing A&P.

A BIG help for me: in addition to the already-mentioned Khan Academy, I loved Chem Guy (aka bananaiscool) on Youtube.

Good luck! :)

[shortnorthstudent]

Chemistry is incredibly important in anatomy and physiology and in nursing school.

My school required intro to chem organic chem and biochem before even applying to nursing school. I used the biochem every day in physiology and pathophys. So incredibly valuable.

[Suethestudent]

We are basically a tube surrounded by a variety of complex chemical processes. We have a one unit pH range that we must maintain or we die. We intake and output a vast array of electrolytes and expect it to all balance out. So yeah I think chemistry is important.

[cgravier]

wow really? this is like asking if we should know numbers to do math.

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

Honestly I'm getting a little tired of the onslaught of posts asking why we need to know this or that to be nurses. Heck, if it's too much trouble for you to learn there are hundreds of nurses ready and fully capable of taking your place.

[CNA2day]

WOW Jeanette why do you click on these posts if you are tired of them? Sometimes when you are buried in something it is hard to see the big picture, and the OP cares enough to even ask that question.

I found it interesting so I decided I would click on the post and see just WHY we did need Chemistry....

[donnasdean]

Stefanyjoy, Thank you so much for this post. I am currently struggling with my general chemistry class and I am sure that it is because I have a hard time getting uninterrupted study sessions. It is especially hard with a 6 year old at home, other homely responsibilities and a job. I will take your advice and try to find a place away from distractions. Thanks again!

[donnasdean]

Thanks for Sharing. i have been struggling with my chemistry class and your post gave me some hope. I have excelled in all my pre-requisite courses, but chemistry. It's refreshing and less discouraging to know that I am not the only one that has struggled.

[beautyandbrains]

I understand your frustrations because I am currently taking Chemistry and it's taken a toll on me. Literally I've spent so many hours on campus with tutors and just doing the problems over and over until they make sense to me. I've also gotten a bad case of Bronchitis, Cold Sore and my face broke out in Acne from the stress. Chemistry is a language that you will have to force yourself to like. It won't be easy but you can do it! Next week is my final and I'm confident I will end up with a B.

[s2bLuluRN]

I was also one who did not like Chemistry. I had a professor who wasn't all that great at explaining things so I memorized everything I needed to know. Talk about a stressful semester!! This was also a big problem once I had to take a&p and biology because I was expected to know my chemistry. Luckily in Biology I had a great professor that helped me to understand what I had memorized to make sense. I am not a nurse yet so I can't say if chemistry will be needed or not, but it will make the other classes easier to understand. My advise would be to ask for help if you need it and if your professor can't help try a tutor or classmate that knows what they are doing. I also used YouTube to try and understand the math part of chemistry. You will do great!!:)

[GinaJo]

This is an ooooolllld thread, ladies.