Should I take chemistry?

Nursing Students Student Assist

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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!

Specializes in IMCU.

I have to say that having done chemistry I find all the acid-base stuff incredibly easy. Thank goodness.

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Yeah, if I had never seen chemistry before, I'd have struggled even harder with A&P. But there is much material in freshman chem that you'd never really need as a nurse (or as a chemical engineer, for that matter), so if some school has a "selected topics" version geared to nursing, that would be possibly better than the whole enchilada, if you're short on time to study.

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STREAMLINE2010 - that is a great idea, I had not thought of, to check schools in other states for BSN requirements. We have discussed moving to TN or FL, but I had never considered the possibility of getting my BSN there. Thinking ahead, that might be an option. So I will look into that.

I am also an older student, well 35, and I have 5 children. I study as much as possible, but I do need time to 'digest' the information. I think A&P will be difficult for me as well, I fully believe I can make an A but I don't think it will be an easy A. :) Streamline2010, did you take Chemistry before attempting A&P? If not, do you think it would've helped make it easier?

Thanks!!!

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Specializes in TCU, Post-surgical, Infection Prevention.
Great advice everyone! I am really leaning towards working towards my BSN while I can...so I should just go ahead and take the Chemistry. I'm afraid if I get my ASN, start working, and with 5 children...I just can't imagine having the time to go back to school.

It sounds like Chemistry will be useful.

I am frightened of it, but will definitely put in the work to understand it and make a good grade.

Thanks!!!

Traci

Don't let it scare you - although it terrified me, lol... But I did manage to squeeze a C out of it, in spite of the fact that I didn't have the math that I need prior to taking it.

I just took Anatomy, and while not a large part of the subject - chemistry was mentioned on more than one occasion.

Good luck in your studies!:yeah:

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Chemistry is a Pre Req for the Nursing program in my area. Last semester my "adviser" stated that I could do AP without Chemistry. I stayed in AP for 2 weeks before having to withdrawal. Everything my AP teacher was teaching he was referring back to Chemistry. We also were having to take a Chemistry exam before moving on. I felt that I was confused and frustrated because I didn't understand anything. Now that I've taken Chemistry I believe that it will help me so much!

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Specializes in PCU, Post surgical, Telemetry.

Hi, I'm in my med-surg rotation in nursing school. I took chemistry only because I initially applied to a BSN program that required it, but I don't feel as though it applied or gave me an understanding in my other classes. Definitely good to get it out of the way though if you're going to need it. Do it BEFORE NS! :)

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Hi, I just wanted to drop in and share something that might inspire those who are holding back on taking Chemistry before nursing school. As of 3:00 today I finished my second and final semester of college chemistry. Chemistry 1 was 14 weeks in length and Chem ll was CRAMMED into 7 weeks! We learned everything from the basics (periodic table, nonmenclature, the mol, etc) to stoichiometry, organic chemistry, bio chemistry, redox, acids and bases, pH, [H+], [OH-], pKa....and more. When I first started the course it seemed impossible. I thought there was no way I would be able to get my head around so much information and not only pass, but do well enough to get accepted into nursing school. I should mention that in highschool I got 15% in my grade 10 science class!!! Now fastforward to right now (24 years old) and not only did I finish the two semesters but I destroyed them. My first semester I finished with an 84% (I could have done much better than this), and this semester I did even better...even though my professor told us that our grades would dramatically decrease from semester 1 (and it did for everyone else). On my first test I got 95%, the second 92% and I had my exam today and would ballpark it at a 95-98% (crossing fingers). My point to all this is, sure....chemistry is intimidating, but if you cant do really well in chemistry, you probably wont do amazing in nursing school. I may be wrong on this, but the way I see it is that taking chemistry is just another challenge...another test to see not only how dedicated you are to learning, but how dedicated you are to improving yourself and testing your limitations. Although I start nursing school in September, I already know that it will be full of moments that will test me to the core. Taking any course that challenges the way/what you learn/feel/believe is only going to make you a STRONGER student and person in the end. Goodluck and take the chemistry....but dont just take it to pass. GIVE IT YOUR ALL and you will be amazed at what you can accomplish. This attitude is contagious and will follow you into nursing school. Goodluck :)

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Thanks cinnybun, I love that! I too would love the challenge chemistry would offer, even though I'm scared to death of it. :) My biggest issue right now is being ready to apply to nursing school in 2012 as opposed to 2013 or 2014. I really need to get in sooner than later.

My son is taking a chemistry course at home this year, all on DVD. It is only highschool chemistry, but I am hoping it will help give me a good foundation to build on.

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Specializes in Nursing Education.

Congrat cinnybun! And thanks so much for sharing your positive experience. That sounds awesome, and you are exactly right...it's a lot about your attitude, and you can choose to approach a class like Chemistry with a negative attitude and struggle miserably through, or you can approach with a positive attitude and conquer it! Good for you, you're going to make a great nurse someday!

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