What was your chemistry base when accepted?

Specialties CRNA

Published

Hi there, wow I haven't posted here in a long, long time.

As of now my chemistry base consists of the nursing chemistry I needed to get into nursing school. I am considering taking regular chemisty 1 so I will have a better foundation and be able to understand the o-chem material in CRNA school. Last summer I tried taking O-chem and was totally lost on the first day/ that was review day. I had to drop.

Do you all think it's neccesary to go back to square one with this didatic or trust in a program. I see on this board a lot that "CRNA programs will teach you what you need to know."

What sort of foundation did you or do you have?

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TWU required entering students to have a chemistry class within 3 years of starting the program. I will be taking chemistry for nurse anesthetists offered online from the TWU chemistry professor next month. I also picked up the complete idiot's guide to chemistry, Barron's Organic Chemistry review book and a laminated organic chemistry chart for easy reference. I had biochem and basic chem almost ten years ago, so I know I'm rusty, but it will be a different structure.

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Can someone please tell me about this online Chemistry class that TWU offers? Do you have to be a student or admitted into the program in order to take it? How many semesters is it? Does it cover both inorganic and organic? Are there pre-req's? So many questions! Thanks!

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I'm not sure if anyone can take it or only TWU students. I will start the program this fall. The class is four weeks, with four exams every Friday. Go to www.twu.edu then to the anesthesia program. T. Kates is the secretary, you could e-mail her and ask her if you could take it.

Jennie

Can someone please tell me about this online Chemistry class that TWU offers? Do you have to be a student or admitted into the program in order to take it? How many semesters is it? Does it cover both inorganic and organic? Are there pre-req's? So many questions! Thanks!
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I am considering taking regular chemisty 1 so I will have a better foundation and be able to understand the o-chem material in CRNA school. Last summer I tried taking O-chem and was totally lost on the first day/ that was review day. I had to drop.

Well, personally, I had a prior degree in chemistry...not that it helped me in CRNA school. I don't really think that organic chem. is really necessary for CRNA school. My program, and I think most others, implement a class in biochemistry (correct me if I am wrong). And it is true, they teach you what you need to know in CRNA school.

Good luck,

Sprout :nurse:

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The school that I'm going to (UNCC) does not even really specify O-chem, and I'm not sure if my transcript with Chem II and O-chem even got there in time.

"3.0 GPA on all undergraduate anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, chemistry and/or biochemistry courses that the student has taken."

They use The Chemistry of Drugs for Nurse Anesthetists written by the good folks at VCU and available from the AANA website. It's fairly focused and doesn't get too far out in the weeds. I think it would be a hard read without some background though.

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Specializes in DNAP Student.

The on line Chem class in TWU offered this summer is only for those who are admitted into the program and will start this Fall. It started last year and it helped us greatly.

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After having researched many schools and their requirements as well as asking current students I think each school is different in what it expects in this aspect. Some schools want biochemistry or orgo, others don't. After having spoken to some CRNA's amd SRNA's what you need to know will be taught to you while in the program. If your current grades in chemistry are not that great then maybe you might want to retake these courses in order to show you can do better. I myself have taken chemistry I and II. That's it.

This didn't seem to be a problem where I applied since they don't require anything higher than this.

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Took Organic/Biochem for non-science majors in undergrad '98. Knew that CRNA school was what i've always wanted to do, so I repeated an Organic/Biochem for non-science majors at a local community college in the spring semester 04. Accepted to TWU and TCU, both required a recent chem course and CCRN.

Look at the schools you are interested in, find out what the requirements are and go from there. Don't rely on this board to do the work for you, and don't base your life dicisions on "this is what I heard.....".

Generally speaking, of the 6 programs I looked at all required or recommended three things besides GPA/GRE: 1) Minimum 1yr of real ICU experience, 2) CCRN certification and 3) a recent Organic/Biochem course. I would fully support all programs to require these items.

Best of luck

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Thanks to all who responded!

Medic14: Thank you for your thoughtful input but I am highly put off by your response implying laziness on my part and letting this board "do the work for me." Trust me honey no way and no how did I get where I am today by letting others "do the work for me." Please be a little more thoughtful in your responses as we are all here to support, not to ridicule.

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