Organic Chemistry? HELP!

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For everyone who has taken orgranic chemistry, I was wondering if you guys had to take General Chemistry I, General Chemistry II, and then Organic Chemistry? I've been noticing that there is a chemistry pathway for the "health professions" and then the pathway for science majors/premeds, and the only way to get to o-chem at my university is by taking the science major route. My BSN degree only requires chem for the health professions, which I've already taken, so now I think I'm going to have to backtrack and take the science major route as I realized this too late:( Is this common for everyone else or is there another alternative to get to o-chem? Also, did you guys take all the labs that accompany all those chemistry classes? Thanks for any advice!

Iceman

Specializes in Anesthesia: Peds, General, ENT, Trauma.
for everyone who has taken orgranic chemistry, i was wondering if you guys had to take general chemistry i, general chemistry ii, and then organic chemistry? i've been noticing that there is a chemistry pathway for the "health professions" and then the pathway for science majors/premeds, and the only way to get to o-chem at my university is by taking the science major route. my bsn degree only requires chem for the health professions, which i've already taken, so now i think i'm going to have to backtrack and take the science major route as i realized this too late:( is this common for everyone else or is there another alternative to get to o-chem? also, did you guys take all the labs that accompany all those chemistry classes? thanks for any advice!

iceman

hey iceman,

just a thought...but i know some people are taking this class at university of new england.

http://distance.une.edu/organic/

they offer organic chem i, o chem ii, and biochem. they require one semester of college level chem to get in. they are online and i think they will work for most crna programs. i also think these are completely self paced, with rolling start dates, so you get one or two classes done quickly if you are motivated.

here's the reply i got when i inquired about this course:

"

yes, the couse can be completed in less than 15 weeks. i've had students, who've devoted full time to it, do it in about 8 weeks. since the course is essentially self-paced, you can proceed at whatever speed you like. it's good that you're taking a basic chemistry course since i require one as a prerequisite. you need not apply to the university to register for the course. the course is very appropriate for someone applying to nurse anesthesia school. in fact, most of my students are taking the course to apply to nurse anesthesia or pa school. virtually all nurse anesthesia programs will accept the course. however, in the event that there are some schools that won't accept the credits, i caution all of my prospective students to first check with someone in authority in the admissions office of the schools to which they plan to apply to make sure they will accept the credits. this avoids any unpleasant surprises in the future.

if you do decide to register, the easiest way to do so is to call either of my two assistants, angela morse, at 207-602-2494 or paula drinkwater at 207-602-2446. they can register you right over the phone. sometimes they're away from their desks but both have voice mail; leave a message and they'll get back to you. let me know if you have further questions. in the meantime, thanks for your interest in our distance education program.

regards,

dave manyan

david r. manyan, ph.d

associate dean of basic sciences

college of osteopathic medicine

11 hills beach road

biddeford, maine 04005

voice: 207-602-2336

fax: 207-602-5931

"

i have personally e-mailed a few people that took the bio chem class and it is not an easy course. very challenging and a lot of work. with the final test as the only grade.

i don't think these are your typical push over online classes.

hope this helps. :up:

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Specializes in MICU.

Thank you very much for the information that you provided :) I will most definitely check into it as it as it has been a bit difficult finding some online chem classes. Thanks again!

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Specializes in SICU.
That was my point - I don't understand why we don't have to take actual science courses to earn a bachelor's of SCIENCE in nursing. And yes, that's what my program required - general chem, bio 101, microbio, intro stats, an online A&P without a lab, and college algebra. There was a lot of memorizing involved, but I can't say that I actually had to learn all that much to get As in all of them (and test out of algebra).

Sorry, missed the last part of your statement.

I think it is because you would have a hell of a lot less nurses applying, completing their degree, graduating etc.

that would only make things worse. IMO.

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Specializes in ER/ICU, CCRN, SRNA (class of 2010).

Funny, where I got my BSN...Organic and Bio chem are required the same one the chem majors take...no gen chem prereq if you were a nursing major...All the science classes were the best the school had to offer...Adv physiology (graduate class) taught by an MD cardiologist...Obviously things are not the same everywhere, this was a small catholic college in New England.

-Smiley

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Specializes in ICU,CCU, CVICU, MICU.
I've always wondered why a BSN wasn't considered a "science major," and why a "health professional" shouldn't have to take challenging science courses...

I know a lot of nurses that could never handle taking so many science classes but I completely agree with you. I would just make sense for nurses to be science majors with the amount of information that we really should know about the human body. I just had a gen chem class, gen bio, Microbiology, and basic a and p class. If I would have known then what i know know I would have taken so many more science classes. My husband completed an ADN program a couple of years ago and the only science classes he needed were microbiology and A and P. It seems ridiculous that nurses aren't required to take more science classes.

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Specializes in Cardiac ICU.
Neurogeek,

There are a couple of schools (Missouri State, Barnes-Jewish) that I'm interested in that do require at least 3 credit hours in o-chem. Take care :)

If all you need is a 3 credit(hour) course, you should be able to take a survey o-chem class without having to take the full year of gen chem. For california BSN programs, one of the pre-reqs is o-chem, but not the chemistry major year long classes. It is a 5 unit(hour) survey o-chem/biochem class with the pre-req being either gen chem I or Inorganic chem for allied health majors(still 4 or 5 units).

Most BSN programs out here on the west coast require inorganic chem and o-chem but they are for allied health majors. A lot easier than the chemistry major series. Look into it, i'd be surprised if this class didn't suffice.

If they wanted you to take the pre-med o-chem classes, I would assume they would ask for one year or 10 credits/hours of o-chem, instead of only three.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Telemetry, Stepdown, ICU.
If all you need is a 3 credit(hour) course, you should be able to take a survey o-chem class without having to take the full year of gen chem. For california BSN programs, one of the pre-reqs is o-chem, but not the chemistry major year long classes. It is a 5 unit(hour) survey o-chem/biochem class with the pre-req being either gen chem I or Inorganic chem for allied health majors(still 4 or 5 units).

Most BSN programs out here on the west coast require inorganic chem and o-chem but they are for allied health majors. A lot easier than the chemistry major series. Look into it, i'd be surprised if this class didn't suffice.

If they wanted you to take the pre-med o-chem classes, I would assume they would ask for one year or 10 credits/hours of o-chem, instead of only three.

I'm in Missouri as well and the programs offered in St. Louis both require some advanced chemistry classes (along with some coursework in physics). The problem encountered here is that few colleges offer the survey org chem classes. Additionally. most nursing programs are so inflexible when it comes to mixing in classes that fall outside of the cookie-cutter program.

There's hope, though, and I'm very intrigued by the program offered at various institutions through the country. I'm certain I'll find something that will work for me.

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Specializes in CVICU, ICU, RRT, CVPACU.

Im currently enrolled in the University of New England's O chem class. It is all online. Its definately a tough course.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Telemetry, Stepdown, ICU.
Im currently enrolled in the University of New England's O chem class. It is all online. Its definately a tough course.

I'm pretty confident that I am going to take this class as well. Just need to gather the funds for it (i.e scholarships, etc.) I'm planning to take both of the Organics and then Bio Chem after. It would seem that the Bio Chem would be a lot more practical.

By the way, did you take Gen Chem I and II before taking the Org Chem?

Jason

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Specializes in Trauma/E.R./ ICU.
that was my point - i don't understand why we don't have to take actual science courses to earn a bachelor's of science in nursing. and yes, that's what my program required - general chem, bio 101, microbio, intro stats, an online a&p without a lab, and college algebra. there was a lot of memorizing involved, but i can't say that i actually had to learn all that much to get as in all of them (and test out of algebra).

i'm confused by this comment.

what is an "actual" science course?

biology= science

microbiology=science

general chemistry= science

anatomy= science

physiology=science

pathophysiology=science

pharmacology=science

organic chemisry=science

here is a quick definition that i found at dictionary.com:

science:

[color=#558811]-noun 1.a branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws: the mathematical sciences. 2.systematic knowledge of the physical or material world gained through observation and experimentation. 3.any of the branches of natural or physical science. 4.systematized knowledge in general. 5.knowledge, as of facts or principles; knowledge gained by systematic study. 6.a particular branch of knowledge. 7.skill, esp. reflecting a precise application of facts or principles; proficiency.

whether you found certain classes easier than others doesn't dictate whether or not they should be considered sciences.

furthermore, there were earlier postings that stated that individuals wouldn't enter nursing if there were more sciences. that is pure speculation and holds no merit whatsoever. in my experience, especially in critical care, there are nurses that are forever trying to expand their knowledge base- including knowledge in the core sciences.

finally- in the strictest of definitions: the study of nursing care is a science as well (please read the definition above). that is why it is a

bachelor's of science of nursing (as you outlined above.)

are you purposefully trying to hold our profession in disdain? this worries me that are pursuing an advanced degree in nursing yet seem to not advocate for our profession.

good luck i guess.

to the original poster: you can find an on-line organic chemisty class at university of new england. the director of the program will actually talk to you personally about the class and whether it will work for you.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Telemetry, Stepdown, ICU.

I thought I would just send a follow up to my message about O-Chem from earlier this year. I have enrolled in the Organic Chem I class offered through University of New England and I think it's going alright. I've got a low A in the class at the moment. Just a word of caution here, though: Prior to enrolling in this class, I only took an honors level general chemistry class. This has led me to working a lot harder at figuring out the concepts presented in the book provided. If you enroll in this class through UNE and you're in a similar situation, I would strongly recommend assembling a small library of helper books because it's the only thing that has gotten me through at this point.

And the stares I get from the nursing students in my class when carrying around my O-chem book are rather priceless. Needless to say, this class has quite a reputation for its difficult, BUT --and this is a big but-- it's doable when you are motivated.

Good luck to anyone taking the class in the future. This is one of those that makes you feel quite accomplished.

Chord

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