Is Chemistry That Important??

[rafael80]

I Am Taking A Winter Course In Chemistry 101 Wich Is An Introductory Course. It Is A Requirement To Get Into Anatomy , Micro And Physiology At My School. I Have An 82% As Of Right Now With Two More Tests To Go And A Lab Test. Seriously I Don't Know How I Am Getting A B Cause I Guessed On Most Of My Answers For The Last Test And I Managed To Do Ok.

But Im Wondering How Important Chemistry Is For Nursing Other Than It Being A Requirement For My Other Biological Sciences.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

And you were worried about ME spilling the beans about your lab "experiments"...!!!

I just made a rather surreptitious comment....that's all:p ..........

[December716]

At my school, Biology is a pre-req for the A&P and Micro courses. The Biology course had A LOT of Chemistry to it. People who hadn't had it were struggling for day one in it. So it depends. I find (Inorganic) Chemistry to be a fairly easy science, though, once you get the basics down. I think it helps build a greater understanding of the sciences that you have to take ahead. Don't be intimidated by the math. It's simple with a litle practice and understanding! Good luck!

[peds4now, RN]

I would echo what others say. You can definitely succeed in nursing school, pass licensing, and work without a strong science background. BUT, a "feel" for chemistry will really help. with fluids and electrolytes, which is important (!), with pharmacology, with pathophysiology. An RN should try to really understand what's going on. Personally, I have found my chemistry courses and my pharmacology course to have been the most interesting, useful ones in nursing school. That said, a B isn't a crime!

[danu3]

...

when i was a student, i didn't really understand chemistry until second year. but you know what my question is? physics!!! i had to take physics. now i don't get how physics comes into play in nursing. i'm sure theres a very good reason but for the life of me, i don't know what that reason is!!!

i read somewhere at allnurses (forgot where) it might has something to do with gas laws (not the fluctulent kind :))

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

Yes, it is important...when you start treating patients you will find these lessons from chemistry, backed up with anatomy and physiology will really help you!

Take for instance...much of your basic IV skills are based on osmosis (diffusion of water) and what chemicals attract what to make osmosis happen in your favor.

Knowing how sodium and potassium play in the heart is another good reason to know a basic in chem.

And KREBS cycle (oh grunt...you will get this in bios or a/p)...definately helps to have chem background to understand why all that occurs by swiching atoms around to make cellular energy (which is done in every cell in your body...makes you appreciate what role diet plays even at a cellular level).

I find that without this basic information (even though learning it is complex), really helps with finding underlying factors with conditions/diseases...and helps with knowing what you are putting into a patient! We are also a checks and balances system for MD's too...so having a basic knowledge of how chemistry plays in the body with physiology makes sence!

My suggestion...get the "Nursing Made Incrediably Easy" series of books...they have basic chem, anatomy and physiology, and med math calculations too...in addition to most other nursing topics (loved the Fluid and electrolye one!!!). They are down to earth, funny, simple and use great mnemonics to help you remember...sure beats those other long winded books!!!!!

Good luck to you...and remember...chemistry is important when you work in a world where everything depends on fixing probelms in the body...which is basically a huge chemical factory!

[WayneRN]

I Am Taking A Winter Course In Chemistry 101 Wich Is An Introductory Course. It Is A Requirement To Get Into Anatomy , Micro And Physiology At My School. I Have An 82% As Of Right Now With Two More Tests To Go And A Lab Test. Seriously I Don't Know How I Am Getting A B Cause I Guessed On Most Of My Answers For The Last Test And I Managed To Do Ok.

But Im Wondering How Important Chemistry Is For Nursing Other Than It Being A Requirement For My Other Biological Sciences.

rafael,

If you will remember that chemistry is not really a science course so much as it is an exercise in applied algebra, you should do okay.

WayneRN

[PedsER-RN, BSN, RN]

unfortunately, yes, chemistry is important. i went through school despising algebra, chemistry, and anything else that had to do with math. chem was a prereq for my nursing school, and i'm glad it was, because it really helped when we got to pharm, acid/base, and fluid/electrolytes. do i use chemistry now? in my dept (per), i use it alot, whether it's relating to labs, blood gases, ivf, meds, etc. it's easier to understand once you can apply it to something practical (as opposed to hovering over a beaker (sp?) in lab! ).

my advice is to really take the time to try to understand (not just memorize) the concepts now. then when you are required to draw from a previous knowledge base in your other classes, you won't have to go back and reteach yourself, because you'll already have a good grasp for it!

good luck!

[grimmy, RN]

[color=darkslategray]i think chemistry is extremely important. you cannot fully understand acid/base balance in the body without chemistry. additionally, knowing and appreciating basic med calculations, drip rates is basic chemistry, even if you're calliing it by another name. if you don't have a grasp of basic chemistry i believe your pt teaching is limited, and you have sold your nursing skills short. pharmacology is another branch of chemistry - many nursing specialties have strong roots in chemistry, and will touch every single thing in the nursing profession: ct, pet scans, mri, dialysis, every single med you'll ever give, the chemicals you wash your hands with, radiotracer chemicals for cancer detection, infusion nursing, oncology....the list goes on forever.