Please...please...Help

I just got accepted in a community college ADN and im scared to death

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Specializes in 6 yrs CNA. Float pool NA (ER, Med,Surg, Pulm/Renal.

I've done all my ADN pre requirements for a community college program. However, chemistry was not a requirement. I've been an NA for more than 6 years. I am currently a float pool NA to floors such as ER (PCT), Gen Surg, Pulm/Renal, BHS, Oncology, ortho etc. I've assited in codes in ICU, SDU and ER. At my hospital, im one of the few NAs/PCTs that is constantly requested for ER,ICU, SDU, and Med Tele. Yet, I feel incompetent.

Once I was done with my pre requirements, I applied to an ADN program. I didnt thought they would accept me; yet, they did accept me. Now, I am truly afraid because i dont feel that im equally smart as the other applicants. I have not taken Chemistry since it was not a requirement.

My question is : what can I do so I do not fail. What things should I review to be competent. Are there any chemistry topics I should familiarize to succeed. Should i just decline my invitation.

The pre requirements I took where :

physiology

anatomy

microbiology

physiology

sociology

ENGLISH

MATH

And a Gen Ed classes.

Thank you for your time.

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# of times I have used chemistry in nursing = 0. I honestly think that so many programs make it a requirement just because it is another lab science! I wouldn't sit this one out, you'll be fine!!!! I never used my chemistry requirement in nursing school. Anatomy and Physiology? Definitely. Math? 100%. Chemistry - not really.

You'll be fine.

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you don't need any chem to succeed in nursing school. you will never have to use avagadros number, balance equations, do stoichiometry, hess's law, entropy questions, figure out the formal charge of carbon while you are in nursing school. it's just another weed out class

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Specializes in Mental Health.

I took intro to chemistry and that was more than enough for the purposes of A&P and nursing courses. I wouldn't say it's useless because it does help you make sense of the way your body chemistry works and why things happen the way that they do, but you can also get by without it just fine. Maybe look at some things on Kahn academy or whatever but you definitely don't need a full-blown chemistry course to be successful.

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Specializes in Oncology.

Most anatomy and physiology or microbiology textbooks have a chapter on chemistry in the very beginning. That is the only chemistry you could possibly need to know to be a nurse, and even that's overkill. However, if you ever just want to explore it a bit, I'd recommend a general chemistry textbook or online resources like Khan Academy and YouTube. Heck, there's probably a video floating around out there that specifically focuses on all the chemistry that might be useful to a healthcare professional.

Don't give up because of fear that you might fail! Especially since you've got loads of varied, incredibly valuable experience that other nursing students wish they had. It will be a challenge but it sounds like you're used to that, based on having worked in so many different hospital settings.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

You’ll never use chemistry as a nurse but knowing chem will help you know why you’re reconstituting with NS instead of deionized water etc. Everyone should know chemistry.

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I completely disagree that there is "no chemistry" in nursing. There are many metabolic processes that are highly related to "chemistry." Pharmacology is all about chemistry. But perhaps we would be better served with integrative chemistry education-you know, chemistry for nursing when the situation presents itself in nursing classes rather than one general chem class.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I wouldn’t say you “use” it, but just understanding how stuff works is good. Rather than just giving stuff with no understanding of how it works, or just Polly parroting blood gases and lab results with no understanding of them. They want to push nursing into being more respected, why don’t they require organic and biochem instead of just focusing on the social aspect? My RN to BSN was literally a bunch of busy work BS.

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Specializes in 6 yrs CNA. Float pool NA (ER, Med,Surg, Pulm/Renal.
On 11/18/2019 at 6:21 AM, humerusRN said:

# of times I have used chemistry in nursing = 0. I honestly think that so many programs make it a requirement just because it is another lab science! I wouldn't sit this one out, you'll be fine!!!! I never used my chemistry requirement in nursing school. Anatomy and Physiology? Definitely. Math? 100%. Chemistry - not really.

You'll be fine.

Thank you for taking your time to respond this post. I honestly appreciate it. I've decided to take my spot. Thank u again.

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Specializes in 6 yrs CNA. Float pool NA (ER, Med,Surg, Pulm/Renal.
On 11/18/2019 at 9:13 AM, carti said:

you don't need any chem to succeed in nursing school. you will never have to use avagadros number, balance equations, do stoichiometry, hess's law, entropy questions, figure out the formal charge of carbon while you are in nursing school. it's just another weed out class

Thank you so much. At first, I was happy to receive my invitation. Then, I was petrified. Now, Im still petrified, but way more motivated. Thank u

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Specializes in 6 yrs CNA. Float pool NA (ER, Med,Surg, Pulm/Renal.
On 11/18/2019 at 9:25 AM, Rionoir said:

I took intro to chemistry and that was more than enough for the purposes of A&P and nursing courses. I wouldn't say it's useless because it does help you make sense of the way your body chemistry works and why things happen the way that they do, but you can also get by without it just fine. Maybe look at some things on Kahn academy or whatever but you definitely don't need a full-blown chemistry course to be successful.

Than you. I will take your advice and try to get an essential understanding of chemistry in regards to our body. I wish i would've taken chemistry earlie, but this life chaning opportunity presented itself sooner than I thought. Thank you

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Specializes in 6 yrs CNA. Float pool NA (ER, Med,Surg, Pulm/Renal.
On 11/18/2019 at 10:57 AM, Shan said:

Most anatomy and physiology or microbiology textbooks have a chapter on chemistry in the very beginning. That is the only chemistry you could possibly need to know to be a nurse, and even that's overkill. However, if you ever just want to explore it a bit, I'd recommend a general chemistry textbook or online resources like Khan Academy and YouTube. Heck, there's probably a video floating around out there that specifically focuses on all the chemistry that might be useful to a healthcare professional.

Don't give up because of fear that you might fail! Especially since you've got loads of varied, incredibly valuable experience that other nursing students wish they had. It will be a challenge but it sounds like you're used to that, based on having worked in so many different hospital settings.

You got no idea how much I needed your advice. I will take your advice and review the chapters related to chemistry in my physiology, anatomy and microbiology textbooks. You are absolutely right.

You notice that my fear was all about failing, so you redirected me to focus on what I can do, and get ready for this challenge. Although Im ready to take this challenge , I appreciate it will be difficult. Honestly, thank you for taking your time to read and reply to this post since you gave me courage and motivated me to take the bull by the horns.

Thank you

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