Should I take chemistry?

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Chemistry is not required for the ASN program I am applying for, however if I (and I plan to) go further and get my BSN I will need to take Chemistry or a Biology series.

My question: would it be beneficial to take chemistry? Helpful for my upcoming A&P classes, my micorbiolgy classes? Helpful for my TEAS exam? Helpful for nursing in general?

I didn't take Chemistry in highschool, and I'm not excited about taking it. I do want to do what is best, and if it would be beneficial for my future coursework, testing, and nursing school then I'll take it.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks!

You are right...I don't want to label myself bad at math/science I really don't think I'm bad at math...just a little insecure because its been so long! I'll feel much better about science once I actually get in there and start taking the classes. I'm kind of scared of the unknown...but looking forward to the challenge!

I SOOOO want to be a nurse, and will study my butt off!!!

Well geesh, show me someone who isn't scared about the unknown. I think that fear keeps you focussed.

The other thing to keep in mind is that you're not the same person who went to school so long ago. Likely you've matured and learned all sorts of helpful things, like discipline, work ethic, etc. I think you'll really surprise yourself once you get into class and see what you can do now.

Have fun as you start your adventure!!

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I would recommend that you take chemistry because it doesn't require a lot of memorizing like your A&P and Micro class. Its more about understanding the information. It does have conversions which helps you on the math section.

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

Generally a chemistry course is required for a BSN program. I had to take 2 semesters (+ labs) of "general, organic & biochemistry" (GOBC). I honestly do not think chemistry was very beneficial to me, other than giving me the ability to abbreviate my notes (Na, K, Mg, Ca...:D). Learning about acid-base balance is very important to nursing and you will learn about it chemistry, but you will also learn it from other classes too - such as A&P and med-surg courses.

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OK, well I had decided on taking Chemistry prior to A&P and Med Microbiology as it seems that would be best. Today, I started looking at the pre-req's for the school's I want to attend and neither require Chemistry. I mentioned that earlier, but the reason I'm discussing it again is that if I hold off on Chemistry and go ahead with the other science courses I'll finish a semester sooner, can apply to get my ASN and get in an entire year sooner...the programs only accept students once a yr, and if I skip Chemistry I'll be ready to start.

With our circumstances it would be best for me to get my degree sooner than later, ASN then do the BSN down the road. Neither of these schools offer straight to BSN anyway. One is ADN only then the other is ASN-BSN.

So, I'm being redundant here I know...but my circumstances have changed a bit....do you think I can get by without Chemistry at least for now? Is it absolutely necessary for nursing school? Or A&P?

Is there anything else I can do to prepare myself outside of taking a chemistry class, a book, or anything that would be helpful?

Sorry for all this brainstorming! I hope you all don't mind. Ideally I'd love to take Chemistry first, I really would I'm just not 100% sure how my schedule is going to work out yet.

Thanks for listening everyone!

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Oh and when I say "I'll be ready to start" I don't mean now, I mean ready to start a year sooner.

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When I take A&P I plan to take 1&2 in a split semester...if it would be doable I could also take Chemistry. As it is now, I'm not planning to take any other courses along side A&P. They seem hard enough, but from everything I read hear it is do-able or you are all super human! :)

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When I take A&P I plan to take 1&2 in a split semester...if it would be doable I could also take Chemistry. As it is now, I'm not planning to take any other courses along side A&P. They seem hard enough, but from everything I read hear it is do-able or you are all super human! :)

If you're not taking anything besides A&P, I'd definitely take Chem with A&P1. I know it's not required, but the knowledge will only help you in the future.

A&P1 is mostly memorization, whereas chemistry is mostly understanding. It will be work, but I think it's very doable. Especially if you're talking about a 100 level (ie not General Chemistry for science majors) Chemistry.

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It's a survey of chemistry course, a 2 part course, but I'm just planning to start with the 1st one and do the 2nd one down the road). When I take A&P1, it'll be a split session...a semester is about 16 weeks, the first 8 weeks will be A&P1, then the 2nd 8 weeks will be A&P2. I could take Chem for the entire 16 weeks. I'm worried about A&P though, I keep hearing on here how hard it is but then I keep telling myself to take the challenge since I'm certain it'll be nothing compared to nursing school...I need to get use to it NOW! :)

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It's a survey of chemistry course, a 2 part course, but I'm just planning to start with the 1st one and do the 2nd one down the road). When I take A&P1, it'll be a split session...a semester is about 16 weeks, the first 8 weeks will be A&P1, then the 2nd 8 weeks will be A&P2. I could take Chem for the entire 16 weeks. I'm worried about A&P though, I keep hearing on here how hard it is but then I keep telling myself to take the challenge since I'm certain it'll be nothing compared to nursing school...I need to get use to it NOW! :)

From my experience, (others likely had different experiences) A&P isn't that hard, it certainly isn't hard compared to nursing school.

A&P definitely takes work, and it's not something that can be skated through, but if you do your work, it's really not horrible. I'm not a great memorizer (I can understand anything, and can remember things connected to what I understand....but just rote memorization, I kinda suck at). And I still didn't find A&P that hard. Like I said, you need to study, but it's very doable.

I suspect if you're proactive enough to make all these inquires, you'll be just fine in A&P.

Think of it this way, all these students applying to nursing school have good grades in A&P right? :-)

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Chemistry was the first course I took when I first started thinking about going back to school for nursing. I didn't have chemistry in college or even in high school, and I had previously labeled myself as "bad in science" before considering a science-related career. So for me, chemistry was sort of my test to see if I could get into it...and I was scared to death.

Luckily I had a great instructor and I'm really glad I took it--of course it was a prereq for my program, but I actually found that I enjoyed it. I just took a 3 hour online class, no lab. I don't know that I've used a ton of chemistry so far, but I'm really thankful I have the basic understanding so when it's reviewed in other courses like A&P, I already know it.

Good luck and have fun!

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Thanks for the vote of confidence everyone! So nice to talk to others who have been right where I'm at! :)

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For which chemistry to take, I'd look at the BSN programs for many schools and see what degree of depth most of them want. Look at the online catalogs of the major universities. If the survey 2-semester seems like what's built into most BSNs, I'd say do that series. But if most of them want the general freshman 2-semester chem followed by at least a one-semester organic class with lab, then do that. The reason I say look at a cross section of BS programs is because you might get your ADRN then be relocating for a job, then doing your BSRN there. So, don't just look at your local school or two. You want the chemistry that will transfer-in anyplace.

Maybe I'm just odd, but I found A&P I extremely difficult. I had NO background in biology or life sciences. All the Latin was tedious. All of the memorizing bones was a breeze compared to memorizing muscles: Name, origin, insertion, activation, prime mover, synergist, antagonist, fixator, and what muscle acts as what and when. The vast quantity of rote memorization at that grueling pace was both very difficult and very annoying to me. My A&P I class moved into physiology turf: acid-base, the muscles, endocrine system, reproductive systems. I'd have enjoyed that class at half that pace.

Maybe because I am an older student and I consequently have a lot of adult responsibilities on my mind, I felt like I was constantly cramming instead of learning.

A&P II, people said would be easier than A&P I. Maybe in some universe, but not in mine, hehe. We got a new instructor fresh from Europe (he said) who glossed over 50%, ignored 50%, and kept telling us that's how it's taught in Europe. He'd have a 4-chapter exam with only 30 questions on it, too, and you never knew whether it would be what he covered in class or something not covered. I had a LOT of self-teaching to do in that class, and I stayed stressed out all the time. On his evaluation, I suggested that the school get him a boat ticket and send him back across The Pond. >;-) I'm sure he'll know what student wrote that. I got a B, though. I am an excellent driver. And teacher. hehe.

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