Rn's, are you able to do job well without chemistry class?

[northmississippi]

summer is coming up and i thought about taking chemistry, even though its not required in the RN/ADN or the BSN program here. Should i take it anyway? or just save my money? Does chemistry class help you understand medications better or help you take care of patients better? thanks.

edit: really, my schools here dont require it, i checked. its only listed on the pre-nursing course at the community college, but the bsn college nor the college that has the prenursing course dont require it either for adn/rn...so,,im thinking i'll just read a cliffs notes book on my own and let it rest there.

and use my summer to take sociology and nutrition which is required.

good idea?

[NiciNurse, LVN]

I was sure that Chem is a pre-req for Micro & Physio?? At least it was for me!!!

[GadgetRN71, ASN, RN]

Chemistry isn't a prerequisite at all schools..it wasn't required at all for my ADN, and it's not for my BSN either. I may take it anyway though, in case I decide to pursue a Masters later.

[silentRN]

I didn't learn a dang thing in chemistry! Just about the majority of pre-reqs you take isn't applicable in the real world..

[Anne36, LPN]

I think it was helpful when taking Microbiology and A&P. If I were you I would invest in a Chemistry for Dummies book and study it on your own. It will help you with Micro and A&P, you want to know certain things, but you shouldnt pay for an extra class if you dont have to.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

We were required to take Chem prior to entering my BSN program. I hate Chem, but found the pH concepts useful to understand acids and bases. Other than that, you don't need it. And no, I never use Chem now as a nurse.

[Cloudi]

yall are lucky

its required for BSN here in Mississippi but not for ADN

im not good at it and i hate it but i eventually want my master's sooo....

plus i've passed my human anatomy, biology, and am doing well in my nutrition without it

not a good class for me, chemistry....

[DarkBluePhoenix]

I think its useful, but that's me and I want to get my masters so Id take it, (plus it was a pre-reqs, along with o-chem)

[SnowStar4]

I have a masters in chemistry and I would say chemistry was not helpful whatsoever. Well, except for being able to pronouce generic drug names correctly. If you think you'll go on with your education then it doesn't hurt to take it now that you have free time and motivation. Otherwise I wouldn't waste your time or money.

[nursej22, MSN, RN]

i actually enjoyed my chemistry classes, but then I had an amazing professor. It was required for both my nursing programs.

I agree with other posters have said, I find it useful for acid-base balance, and for understanding cardiac function and medications.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Wow, never knew there were any programs that did not require it. How strange.

[NurseInTexas12]

Eh, I think we all probably use chemistry to some degree in nursing, but I don't necessarily think the chemistry we use is exclusively from chemistry class. It provided a nice foundation, but you'll really learn the basic chem concepts you need from your other coursework like A&P, microbio, pathophysiology, and pharmacology. I'd only do it if you love science!

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Chemistry was required in my BSN program. I was terrified every time we had an exam, but I managed to do just fine. I"m glad I took it if for no other reason than to prove to myself that I could do it.