Calling all NURSES!

[xCourxCorex]

I'm a junior in HS, planning for my last year of classes as a senior. I'm really interested in a career in nursing, but I don't know what would be more beneficial ... physics or organic/bio chemistry??

As far as science goes, I have taken Physical Science (9th grade), Biology (10th grade), Chemistry (this year) and Astronomy & Geology (this year).
Next year I plan on taking Anatomy & Physiology Honors. I have room for another science class, and would love to take one, but I can't decide which would be better for a prospective nursing student.

Nurses/Parents of nursing students: Did you take physics? Was it helpful in your field/at college? Is two years of chemistry a waste? Any advice or help will be appreciated

 

[sugarpie]

I'm a nurse & to be completely honest what I took in high school didn't really matter when it came to college. Take that back, I took all the courses required to get me into college & I took some Advanced Placement classes for credit, but once I was in college & applying to the nursing program the high school classes didn't really matter.

That said, I'd go with the chemistry. You'll be taking chemistry in college for a nursing degree.

 

[xCourxCorex]

I'm a nurse & to be completely honest what I took in high school didn't really matter when it came to college. Take that back, I took all the courses required to get me into college & I took some Advanced Placement classes for credit, but once I was in college & applying to the nursing program the high school classes didn't really matter.

That said, I'd go with the chemistry. You'll be taking chemistry in college for a nursing degree.

Thanks sugarpie! I was leaning towards the organic/bio chem, but today a girl in my class who is also interested in nursing said she was taking physics, because it was supposedly helpful as a nursing major confused .. didn't know if that was true or not! Thank you!

 

["Got Disney"]

I agree with Chemistry.... Have you called the college that you wanted to attend to ask what the pre- requisits are? Also are you going for your LVN/LPN or RN...I have a BA in Nursing and was a Labor and Delivery nurse for 22 years...retired know but keep my licence Active....I am 49.

Check out all your pre classes....that will help you. One thing we need is more Nurses soooo I wish you the best of luck and...also be sure that you are going into Nursing for all the right reasons and talk to others that have been nursing for years for the pros and cons so you have no surprises....the average nurse stays at there job for 2-5 years than leaves....

It is a rewarding Job filled with politics....the politics is what drove me out....but I love nursing and has always been my passion.

I am not telling you this to discourage you just want to be sure that you go in with your eyes wide open. Dedication is important...helping people, well that goes without saying...and a fantastic career with financial benifits that will come as you pay your dues in years....

So kudos to your decision....

 

[wld]

I've worked as a nurse for 13 years and still love it. So many different things you can do, so many options.
Anyway I took Physics in college years before I became a nurse and never used it, wasn't even accepted as part of my degree credits. You will however need organic chemistry so if that is what is offered I would go with that. Give you a leg up when you take it in college.

 

[MALE*RN*777]

It depends on your schools (college) requirements for graduation. Chemistry is usually need for a 4 year but which one depends on your school. Some require organic and others don't. I would go with the chemistry or a microbiology if you haven't already taken it. Good luck.

 

[Disney Doll]

I'd go with the organic/bio chemistry.

You're not going to be splitting the atom, so you don't need physics as a nurse.

 

[xCourxCorex]

[quote="Got Disney";17333236]I agree with Chemistry.... Have you called the college that you wanted to attend to ask what the pre- requisits are? Also are you going for your LVN/LPN or RN...I have a BA in Nursing and was a Labor and Delivery nurse for 22 years...retired know but keep my licence Active....I am 49.

Check out all your pre classes....that will help you. One thing we need is more Nurses soooo I wish you the best of luck and...also be sure that you are going into Nursing for all the right reasons and talk to others that have been nursing for years for the pros and cons so you have no surprises....the average nurse stays at there job for 2-5 years than leaves....

It is a rewarding Job filled with politics....the politics is what drove me out....but I love nursing and has always been my passion.

I am not telling you this to discourage you just want to be sure that you go in with your eyes wide open. Dedication is important...helping people, well that goes without saying...and a fantastic career with financial benifits that will come as you pay your dues in years....

So kudos to your decision....[/quote]

Haven't called the colleges yet (I have about 4 in mind). I do have courses that the nursing majors take, and I didn't see physics anywhere. All I've heard is "very selective programs are looking for strong science grades".. but not specifically WHAT science.
Also, has anyone heard good (or bad) things about accelerated programs? One of the schools I'm looking at, Mass College of Pharmacy & Health Science offers a 33 month accelerated program. (3 fall, 3 spring, 2 summer semesters). Good, bad, stupid??
Thanks again

 

[Cool-Beans]

Organic/Biochem is your best bet. Any history of A&P will be a big help, too.

You'll be taking Chemistry and A&P in college, so having any background will be a help.

Organic Chem and Microbiology were the hardest classes I had in college. Seriously, harder than the nursing classes. I hated Organic Chem and can't think of a single reason I had to take it. At least some of the Microbiology stuff was applicable later on. I got As in almost everything I ever took, but got a B in Microbiology and a C in Organic Chem.

I'm going to have nightmares tonight, just remembering Organic Chem.

Good luck!!!!

 

[bluesaturn]

I'm not a nursing major, but a bunch of my friends are. They all had to take general chemistry, general biology, organic chem, and micro biology. So I would definetly take the organic chem/micro bio. Those are supposed to be really hard classes, and having experience with them will help so much when you get to college (because professors move FAST). None of them had to take physics. I think physics is usually only required for pre-med students. Good luck!

 

[Missy Mouse]

I'm a junior in HS, planning for my last year of classes as a senior. I'm really interested in a career in nursing, but I don't know what would be more beneficial ... physics or organic/bio chemistry??

As far as science goes, I have taken Physical Science (9th grade), Biology (10th grade), Chemistry (this year) and Astronomy & Geology (this year).
Next year I plan on taking Anatomy & Physiology Honors. I have room for another science class, and would love to take one, but I can't decide which would be better for a prospective nursing student.

Nurses/Parents of nursing students: Did you take physics? Was it helpful in your field/at college? Is two years of chemistry a waste? Any advice or help will be appreciated

I would DEFINITELY go for the Chemistry. Physics isn't really sought after by nursing majors, it's more for the premedical track. I'm doing the premed track and nursing right now. You will have to take organic and inorganic chem as well as at least two bio classes, so I'd get as good of a handle on the concepts as you can now. I took physics my senior year of high school and it has not helped me a single bit in nursing.

 

["Got Disney"]

Haven't called the colleges yet (I have about 4 in mind). I do have courses that the nursing majors take, and I didn't see physics anywhere. All I've heard is "very selective programs are looking for strong science grades".. but not specifically WHAT science.
Also, has anyone heard good (or bad) things about accelerated programs? One of the schools I'm looking at, Mass College of Pharmacy & Health Science offers a 33 month accelerated program. (3 fall, 3 spring, 2 summer semesters). Good, bad, stupid??
Thanks again

Accelerated programs are okay if you can handle all the work and can remember well....lots of gramming. I myself needed all the time I could get.
I must say though that I did pass my nursing program with honors...no grade les than a 96%...

 

[Pea-n-Me]

One of the brightest nurses I've ever worked with had studied physics in either hs or college. She put us all to shame one night when a bunch of us who hadn't studied it were racking our brains trying to figure something out. She came over, scribbled for a few seconds and gave us the answer, no problem. And she was a new grad at the time, LOL.

Yes, you will need chem for nsg school. But you can't go wrong taking physics, either. You will be very capable in your conversations with physicians about various things which other nurses may not fully understand. I say go for it if you are honors and know you'll do well in other sciences down the road.

Mass College of Pharmacy is a good school. There are tons of programs in the area. Feel free to PM me if you ever want to brainstorm.

 

[barkley]

i'de say chem because our local colleges won't take an application for the actual nursing program until that college level class is completed (you can get into the college, but not into the nursing program without it).

don't know what your excellerated program offers, but have you checked your community colleges? i know ours do an rn with an associate degree in 4 semesters. those students that want to pursue a batchelors often do so after they enter the field so they can get their employers to foot a good chunk of the bill (my bil and mil both got almost 100% funding from their employers to pursue theirs plus paid time off).