Scientific calculator for Chem?

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 30, 2006

Cheap, basic scientific calculator. Not basic calculator, but scientific is correct. However, the rest of the bells and whistles are completely unnecessary, IMO, for chem course required for nursing.

Also, when it comes time for nursing exams (dosage calcuations tests, etc), it's common to not be allowed your personal device (because of having formulas stored, etc).

Pixiesmom, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2006

I have the top of the line graphing calculator. I'm guessing that this one will be sufficient for any chem class I will encounter. At least I hope so.

casi, ASN, RN · Jul 31, 2006

any scientific calculator you are comfortable with will work.

I used a graphing calculator, but it's a calculator I've had for the last 8 years, not something I bought specifically.

chickapin · Jul 31, 2006

Before I needed a graphing calculator for physics and calculus in high school, I always used a Texas Instruments scientific calculator and loved it. You can find them at Target/Walmart/Office Depot/Staples/Etc. and depending on the model they are between $10-20 and last for years and years.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2006

The only reason you would need a graphing calculator is if you are going to be graphing functions. The only places I know of to do that is in math classes. A $20 cheapie that can do logarithms will probably be fine. However, I'd wait until class starts to purchase one. You can get them in just about every Wal-Mart, Staples and supermarket these days.

labcat01, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2006

I have a TI scientific calculator and it is great. You have to be careful about graphing calculators...none of my professors ever let us use them.

Pixiesmom, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2006

I have a TI scientific calculator and it is great. You have to be careful about graphing calculators...none of my professors ever let us use them.

Good I have the TI 30xa in addition to my graphing calc so I should be set.

AZmom · Jul 31, 2006

I'm thinking I ran across my old graphing calculator from college while sorting through some stuff. But if it's not allowed (because it does have the capacity to store formulas; not that I know HOW to do that anymore), I'll have to purchase a cheap one. No big deal either way.

browneyedgirl71 · Jul 31, 2006

For our Chem class, our calculators had to do Logarithims and Exponents...I got my calculator at Target for under $15 and has served me well. Our Chem prof also had a basket of calculators we could borrow.

karmyk · Aug 1, 2006

Cheap scientific calculator should be sufficient. Might even help to have one that's generally popular in your area/school so that it's easier to get help or follow your instructor.

I always feel bad for people who have to spend all that money on the expensive, powerful graphing calculators but never learn how to use even half the functions.

xiahe · Aug 4, 2006

i have a TI-84 plus (silver ed.) graphing calulator. i only had it because of the math class i was taking during my senior year in highschool (and that same year i also took college chem). it's a nice calculator, but VERY expensive - close to $100. if you're taking other math classes down the road, you might want to look into getting a graphing calculator...otherwise i would just use a standard TI scientific one.

and some chem professors won't allow you to use a graphing calculator, either...there is a function where you can type things into the calculator, and several students in my highschool chem class got busted for that. HTH!