Setting self up for failure?

kiku1209 · Jun 4, 2016

Chemistry can be very challenging. I would take advantage of any tutor programs that your college has if you feel you are struggling. Another big thing with CHEM is to make sure you are setting up the problems the right way. Reread word problems and underline key points. If you struggle with math it is also a good idea to write the formula out before you actually start a problem. When doing dimensional analysis make sure you are crossing units out. I would also make school your top priority, both anatomy and chemistry can be tough classes.

I would also try to get Sundays off unless you only work a few hours, especially if it is night shift. It is always best to refresh the day before an exam, it really helps with retention. I used to work Sundays, but no longer will due to school. If you can afford to I would highly recommend having off at least Sunday afternoon/evenings and review in the morning before you actually go to the school.

Livetoride · Jun 4, 2016

I highly recommend getting a tutor for chemistry. Chemistry is a very challenging subject for a lot of folks. I was lucky to scrape by with a C. I would have done better had I gotten help earlier in the semester. My advice is to make a plan out for both the courses. A&P is not incredibly hard from experience, it's just more time consuming and memorization. To be successful in chemistry, you really need to grasp the concepts and do practice problems. Also, look up Khan Academy for chemistry; it helps.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2016

Chemistry being difficult has nothing to do with the professor. Also it makes no difference how difficult it is anyway if you want to be a nurse. If you want to be a nurse then you must successfully navigate the obstacle.

Chemistry for many (including myself) was successfully navigated with nothing other than blunt force non stop studying. College isn't designed around your work schedule. If you are unable to successfully navigate the course then you must adjust yourself. This may mean working less hours or taking less classes. If you fail blaming the instructor will get you nowhere. Same as if you are a nurse and make a med error and blame the pharmacy. You as the RN are responsible for the work you do.

I would give it a shot but if you are not able to keep up then I would seriously consider backing off on work. The long term gains from a nursing career may be worth the short term loss of cash. I make a really good living and have for 10 years. I was flat broke in college and if I had just worked some job I would be same place today as I was then. The juice was worth the squeeze for sure.

good luck!

emmjayy, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2016

Just for a different perspective from what you've gotten so far... I didn't find chem to be that hard to get through, just make sure you always write out the formulas, always include your units, show all your work, and do all the practice problems you can get your hands on. Before you know it, a lot of it will be second nature. I liked chemistry because it's problem-solving and everything built on everything else, so even if I didn't tie stuff together at first, it all came together eventually and I enjoyed that. Chem was a very easy A for me. A&P was harder because that's just straight memorization and my brain doesn't like just memorizing stuff. I could get away with studying chem for an hour or so per day but A&P took 2-3 hours.

How hard a course is really depends on your own strengths.