Question for students in nursing school, or students taking pre reqs to get in it.

1andrea1 · Mar 6, 2009

If you can only choose one I would go with anatomy, I am not sure if the college that you choose would accept it as credit but it would be a good jump start to understanding a lot of the components of nursing school.

I am not sure if all nursing programs requre chemistry or not, I took it in high school (13 years ago) and it counted towards my pre-reqs.

Good luck, I wish you the best with your future nursing career! :yeah:

Ella08 · Mar 6, 2009

My opinion is Chem. College Chemistry was HARD for me and if I have done better in high school chem and learned the basics instead of just trying to pass, I would have done better in college chemistry. That being said, Anatomy isn't a piece of cake either, but I found it "easier" than chem. And, good luck !!!!

dalgal, ASN, RN · Mar 6, 2009

I would definitely take the chemistry first because it will make the anatomy easier when you take it. I'm in Anatomy now and there are so many chemical processes (metabolism, TCA cycle, etc...) that would be really hard to understand without chemistry in your background.... Good luck to you!!

OnMyWay2MSN · Mar 6, 2009

I have to go with anatomy. Best of luck

smartin13 · Mar 6, 2009

I vote for Chem, it was a pre req for me but since I took it in highschool I didn't have to take it in college. And as dalgal said you will need to know some of it for Anatomy in college.

Laurinq · Mar 6, 2009

Strictly based on nursing and the use of it in nursing, I would say A & P. However, chemistry is tough & is a prereq for many nursing programs, so taking it now would help you to have a better insight when it comes to the actual class. I would also base it on your own skills: chemistry has more math orientation & problem solving skills> chemical reactions, redox reactions, etc. - while A & P is visualizing & memorizing structures and functions etc. So which ever one you struggle more with, I would take this year.

FutureNurseSaga · Mar 7, 2009

That is a hard decision. When I was in high school I took chemistry and biology (which were required to graduate). Because I had took chemistry in high school my college chemistry course was easier but I regret not also taking anatomy because it is really kicking my ass.

If you haven't had any chemistry then you should definitely take it. You can get a head start on anatomy by yourself (ie Barron A&P anatomy flashcards) but chemistry is heard to teach yourself. Take the chemistry course and buy anatomy flashcards. If you start studying the flashcards now you will be a pro by the time you take a college level anatomy course.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 7, 2009

I took chemisty many moons ago as an undergrad and though I did well in it, I have also forgotten most of it...however, having forgotten it didn't stop me from doing well in A&P.

However, I'm also going to suggest you take the Chemistry now and get it over it. At the best, it may satisify the NS's requirement (depending on the school) for Chemistry and you won't even have to take a college version. At the worst, you'll be fully prepared for the college version of Chem.

NewGoalRN · Mar 10, 2009

First, I would tell you to look at the programs of schools that you are interesting in attending. All nursing programs require anatomy and physiology and many do not require Chemistry.

Having no idea of what the schools in your area require, I would strongly urge you to take anatomy as it will be the foundation of anatomy and physiology I and II. There is not much chemistry in anatomy 1 other than 1 to 2 chapters which is basic and I do mean basic chemistry i.e anatomy of cells, neutrons, protrons, charges etc.You don't need to have done chemistry to do well in Ap. I took chemistry years ago and I didn't remember much. However, I took Biology and that class regarding processess helped me alot.

Anatomy is the building block of just about everything in nursing. I would urge you to take Anatomy.

hpygrl01 · Mar 10, 2009

Both are tough courses in college. Still, I would take chem. A&P can be alot easier by understanding chemistry for some areas like bicarb, acidosis, stuff like that.

NewGoalRN · Mar 10, 2009

My point would be for him to research potential nursing schools. If they don't require chemistry, what is the point of taking it. It has less than 15% to do with micro or anatomy. If the schools that he is considering applying to takes Chemsitry, perhaps, there is an argument for taking Chemistry but if they dont, it doesn't make sense to take it over Anatomy.

Taking anatomy would put him in good shape to understand and do well in 2 anatomy classes that are required for ALL nursing programs. Just my 2 cents.