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.
I was required to take chemistry. You do not really utilize most of the information in it. But I truly believe that it helps the mind think critically and will help to involve all areas of the brain when creating your POC's. This was my feeling about advanced algebra which was also required. Geez, on a med-surg floor you rarely have to ever even calculate drop rates anymore...but all that kind of thinking with numbers and concepts has truly helped me see all angles of a patient's issue as well as communicate with physicians in a fashion which they respect more. A person may be highly intelligent, but without having the education to use the terminologies to explain an idea, one will rarely be respected by the higher educated people. I have found this to be true even when just hanging out with friends who are professors and physicians....before I became a nurse...I understood exactly what they were talking about but couldn't communicate that I did or that I had even further ideas pertaining to the subject simply because I could not quote, compare, or validate my ideas with facts....I hated chemistry at first because of the mols and math stuff....but came to love and put it on a pedestal as a universal language beyond words....as is all mathematics....Gosh...I'm realizing what a nerd I am laughter...
I looove anatomy and bio. For me, although chemistry does provide some very useful concepts, I still despised most of the course, and I am happy to never take it again. But anatomy or pharmacology even, I can take that any day!
Specializes in Family Practice, Urgent Care, Cardiac Ca.
When I was working on my prereqs, I managed to get into physiology and microbiology without chem, and both classes were extraordinarily hard. When I got my 2nd degree BSN, pathophys. and pharm. were a breeze...I didn't feel the lack of chem at ALL...once I got to nursing school.
I'm not sure how relevant it is to a working nurse, as I'm just finishing up my pre-reqs, but I've REALLY enjoyed the second semester. The first semester of general chemistry was a drain on my soul. The organic and bio chem portion have been fascinating. I only wish I had taken this class before A&P I. I took micro and although I managed an A+, I would have been much more comfortable had I taken organic/bio chem first.
It is not required for the ADN here, but it is for the BSN and certainly if you ever want to get a Masters degree.
If you do not plan to continue your education/or it is not required for some reason to do so, I would save your brain. Unless, of course, you're like me and end up loving the second semester.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
It must be required for a BSN everywhere. No?
No.
My RN (ADN) program didn't require it, and an RN-BSN program generally doesn't have any science/lab classes (other than pathophys or advanced assessment).
Every one needs a good basic chemistry course to appreciate and understand that scientists/doctors are not just guessing, making up things, "pushing" drugs. The big bad drug companies are not poisoning us, selling us worthless dangerous drugs just to make a profit.
President Obama just issued a challenge for students in the united states to take more science and math courses.
I can't say I give better nursing care because I know the atomic number of an element or what the elemental table means. (Actually have forgotten most of it!!!!) I does give me the confidence and knowledge that I am not just pushing snake oil. When I am giving my patients medicine I am standing on the shoulders of thousand of dedicated scientists, some of who have given their lives, so we have the modern effective drugs and treatments we do.
PS I couldn't think of the word periodic table to save my life!!!! That was what I meant to say, not the elemental table. I told you I had forgotten most of it!!!!!
Chemistry was required in my program; in fact, high school chemistry is a pre-req to enter the program now. I'm not really sure why. Chemistry taught me a great deal about life and the world, not just medical science as it relates to nursing. I know that A&P, Micro and Nutrition classes taught me what I needed to know there, but it was all made easier with a good understanding of those principles I learned in Chemistry. I loved that class.
To the OP, I would say this: if Chemistry is not required, then I'm not sure I would go to the expense and time of taking a course. Someone earlier mentioned a Cliff's notes or "For Dummies" book. You'd probably do well with those, and the information in them would help you elsewhere. But I loved my course; extra knowledge isn't a bad thing!
I wish you much luck and success in your education and career.
Chemistry and now much of it has varied historically within nursing programs. Going back years many hospital diploma programs either required one to complete a certain level of high school chemistry and or required post graduate (college level general and organic) classes. Then again some ADN/AAS programs did or did not have similar requirements but often offered what some pre-med students call "chemistry for weenies" which were classes that taught just enough of the subject deemed necessary for nursing students and thus nurses to know.
Being as all this may some states require most if not all BofS students to complete one or two levels of college chemistry as part of the distribution in order to graduate and be awarded the degree. IIRC New York State mandates organic chemistry for such graduates which by extension means one has to have completed enough high school level classes and or take college level general chemistry as a pre-req.
IIRC, the ANA has been pushing for some awhile now for all nursing programs to mandate full chemistry (general or organic, cannot remember which atm) classes for all students. However many smaller programs especially those in community colleges without full time chem departments and or without resources are balking at the cost of hiring (if they can find them) chemistry professors and the assocated costs of building and staffing labs.
I didn't take chemistry at the college level (I took honors chemistry in high school back in 1995) and I did just fine in nursing school and working as a nurse. If you want to take it because you think it would be an interesting class, then do so. If not, don't waste your time and money if it is not required (it is required for many RN-BSN programs, and if you didn't take it you will have to shop around for an RN-BSN that does not require it).
nightengalegoddess
292 Posts
I was required to take chemistry. You do not really utilize most of the information in it. But I truly believe that it helps the mind think critically and will help to involve all areas of the brain when creating your POC's. This was my feeling about advanced algebra which was also required. Geez, on a med-surg floor you rarely have to ever even calculate drop rates anymore...but all that kind of thinking with numbers and concepts has truly helped me see all angles of a patient's issue as well as communicate with physicians in a fashion which they respect more. A person may be highly intelligent, but without having the education to use the terminologies to explain an idea, one will rarely be respected by the higher educated people. I have found this to be true even when just hanging out with friends who are professors and physicians....before I became a nurse...I understood exactly what they were talking about but couldn't communicate that I did or that I had even further ideas pertaining to the subject simply because I could not quote, compare, or validate my ideas with facts....I hated chemistry at first because of the mols and math stuff....but came to love and put it on a pedestal as a universal language beyond words....as is all mathematics....Gosh...I'm realizing what a nerd I am laughter...