"The name is bond...ionic bond; taken not shared." That's what my old chemistry teacher used to say.
It's my last prerequisite that I have to complete with at least a 2.0 or better before I start nursing courses in the summer. Pressure is somewhat off because I've already been accepted into my program, but I still want to do well.
Anybody else taking it this quarter/semester? It's been about 6 years since I took inorganic/general chemistry, so it's a tad bit overwhelming for me at the moment. I've been sitting in lecture trying to remember all the things that I've repressed. Chemistry is by far my worst subject. Misery loves company though and I'm hoping to share some of mine with other people. :) In all honesty, it doesn't seem as bad as general chem. It's a lot less math.
funny you should mention this.. my Psychology professor recommended this website to our class just the other day; I wrote it in my notebook but pretty much forgot about it. I'll have to check it out.
Specializes in Float Pool, acute care, management/leadership.
Intro to Organic Chemistry is not the O-Chem that every bio major, premed, and prevet has to suffer through and is the hardest 200-level class/sequence anyone ever takes. (I say this having fit two of the three categories as an undergrad). You'll do fine.
I know, which is why it's somewhat frustrating because I feel like I should be understanding the material better than I am right now. It possibly could have to do with the fact that I'm the biggest procrastinator in America. When it comes down to it, it's not HARD material...it's just a bunch of memorization.
Specializes in Family Medicine, Medical Intensive Care.
I took Organic Chemistry I and II (for pre-med/chemistry majors) back when I was a biochemistry major. Overall I found it easier than the General Chemistry courses for the same reasons others have stated (i.e., less math, more chemical reactions). I also took a course titled Organic Polymer Chemistry I, and that class was tough! It involved a lot of math, which required the student to know the very detailed polymerization reactions in order to calculate the correct answer to the problem.
As for Biochemistry (for pre-med/chemistry majors), the material was not difficult. What made the class difficult is the amount of information we were required to know in a very small amount of time. The course was very fast paced. I've found that it has proved extremely helpful in courses such as A&P, Microbiology, and even the Nutrition course I took last semester.
Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.
As for Biochemistry (for pre-med/chemistry majors), the material was not difficult. What made the class difficult is the amount of information we were required to know in a very small amount of time. The course was very fast paced. I've found that it has proved extremely helpful in courses such as A&P, Microbiology, and even the Nutrition course I took last semester.
I'm going to have to agree with this. After sitting through Biochem for Mol. and Cell Bio/Biochem majors, I would describe my undergraduate degree course as "five semesters of academic hazing culminating in biochem followed by courses that just simply make sense". That experience is probably why I view nursing courses as being work but not being hard - it just doesn't compare.
Specializes in Family Medicine, Medical Intensive Care.
I'm going to have to agree with this. After sitting through Biochem for Mol. and Cell Bio/Biochem majors, I would describe my undergraduate degree course as "five semesters of academic hazing culminating in biochem followed by courses that just simply make sense". That experience is probably why I view nursing courses as being work but not being hard - it just doesn't compare.
I'm glad someone else has endured the pain of a true biochemistry class! I also know what you mean by a course being just a lot work instead of being difficult. That's exactly how I feel about Anatomy & Physiology. It is an easy course because I fully understand the concepts beyond what the text books explains. The only "hard" part is the amount of time that has to be invested to adequately learn all the physiological mechanisms and their underlying biochemistry. In other words, there is just a lot of information. I'm thankful that my A&P instructor likes to focus on the biochemistry more than anything. She's an evolutionary biologist, which I find very cool!
Have you found your previous coursework in biochemistry to prove useful in your nursing coursework? I'm asking because I'm currently enrolled in a BSN program, and my very first semester of nursing school beings in August. I'm always wondering if I'll have a leg-up since I've taken upper division courses in chemistry. I think it would prove more useful in a graduate program with a concentration in advanced practice nursing (e.g., Nurse Practitioner, CRNA, CNS, etc), but I know I can't be 100% sure of that.
Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.
I'm glad someone else has endured the pain of a true biochemistry class! I also know what you mean by a course being just a lot work instead of being difficult. That's exactly how I feel about Anatomy & Physiology. It is an easy course because I fully understand the concepts beyond what the text books explains. The only "hard" part is the amount of time that has to be invested to adequately learn all the physiological mechanisms and their underlying biochemistry. In other words, there is just a lot of information. I'm thankful that my A&P instructor likes to focus on the biochemistry more than anything. She's an evolutionary biologist, which I find very cool!
Have you found your previous coursework in biochemistry to prove useful in your nursing coursework? I'm asking because I'm currently enrolled in a BSN program, and my very first semester of nursing school beings in August. I'm always wondering if I'll have a leg-up since I've taken upper division courses in chemistry. I think it would prove more useful in a graduate program with a concentration in advanced practice nursing (e.g., Nurse Practitioner, CRNA, CNS, etc), but I know I can't be 100% sure of that.
Sadly, not really - the work ethic's more important. Knowing some important pathways (such as HMG-CoA to prenyl to cholesterol synthesis) do help you understand why certain drugs work when you take pharmacology.
What'll help you more, though, is dimensional analysis for drug calculations. While it's part of Gen Chem I, a depressingly large fraction of nursing students manage to forget it by the time they need to do med calculations and so have a horrible time doing what should be simple math. You, however, with your mastery of applied algebra, should be able to set up whatever med calculation you want without having to remember umpteen different formulas or methods.
Specializes in Family Medicine, Medical Intensive Care.
Sadly, not really - the work ethic's more important. Knowing some important pathways (such as HMG-CoA to prenyl to cholesterol synthesis) do help you understand why certain drugs work when you take pharmacology.
What'll help you more, though, is dimensional analysis for drug calculations. While it's part of Gen Chem I, a depressingly large fraction of nursing students manage to forget it by the time they need to do med calculations and so have a horrible time doing what should be simple math. You, however, with your mastery of applied algebra, should be able to set up whatever med calculation you want without having to remember umpteen different formulas or methods.
It's good to know that all the math I've learned in chemistry classes will come in handy in pharmacology. I'm actually pretty excited about that class as well as pathophysiology. I've also noticed the lack of math and science skills that many, but not all, pre-nursing students possess. I've heard so many complain about how difficult General Chemistry I is. The math involved is always the primary complaint. Oh well, there is nothing we can do to change that. I'm more concerned about my own performance than other's.
If you don't mind my asking, what was your major/degree before you embarked on the journey of nursing school?
Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.
It's good to know that all the math I've learned in chemistry classes will come in handy in pharmacology. I'm actually pretty excited about that class as well as pathophysiology. I've also noticed the lack of math and science skills that many, but not all, pre-nursing students possess. I've heard so many complain about how difficult General Chemistry I is. The math involved is always the primary complaint. Oh well, there is nothing we can do to change that. I'm more concerned about my own performance than other's.
If you don't mind my asking, what was your major/degree before you embarked on the journey of nursing school?
Molecular and Cellular Biology. I also worked in a lab for two years before going back to school for my masters-entry program.
I to was a biochem major and am often surprised with the complaining about gen chem by nursing students. For biochem we had to take a 200 level two semester gen chem course where nursing only require a 100 level single semester course. I discovered that after molecular bio and several semesters of gen chem that classes like physiology were easy and somewhat felt remedial. I guess that extra year spent in school was not a waste after all. BTW, if anyone needs help with chem problems, post em on this forum, I will be glad to lend a hand in assisting you.
Specializes in Family Medicine, Medical Intensive Care.
Molecular and Cellular Biology. I also worked in a lab for two years before going back to school for my masters-entry program.
Very impressive! I almost switched over to molecular biology because I wanted a more biological focus, but I applied to nursing school instead. I feel like I've made the right decision. Anywho, good luck in your master's program!
Hobbes02
92 Posts
funny you should mention this.. my Psychology professor recommended this website to our class just the other day; I wrote it in my notebook but pretty much forgot about it. I'll have to check it out.