Could I learn to like chemistry, and pursue a career in healthcare?

[Anita2967]

I dislike high school chemistry, and find it difficult to comprehend. It isn't the teacher. When the concepts are practical and closely linked to real-life, it is easier to understand for me. However, things like intermolecular forces and calculating concentrations drive me nuts. Does anyone have experience with a similar situation? Please share the outcomes with me. :-)I love learning about health-related issues, and I love biology. My goal is to become a primary care physician or an anesthiologist, but I'm not sure I could handle the chemistry classes in college.

[thomasp]

You must build a "relationship" with chemistry. I think you could seek a chemistry tutor from a college near your location if possible. It helps to find someone who has a similar problem with the topic. Maybe an honest conversation with a positive chemistry teacher who you have not met would be worth your time. I would be inclined to talk to a chemical engineer or a pharmacist. Sounds like you need someone to build your confidence and give you a new insight into how to understand chemistry. But, you really will have to have organic chemistry as precondition to applying to medical school. Summer is here. Find a mentor. Good luck.

[FurryGuy]

don't worry. chemistry has absolutely no real life clinical applications. in other words, you can become anything you like (medical doctor, occupational therapist, physical therapist. etc. etc. etc.) even if you are not nuts about chemistry.BUT......like the other poster said, you are going to have to try your best to at least get average or slightly above average grades in chemistry. i know that medical schools like people with 3.8 GPA's, so a couple of C's will not kill you.

[boomergal4800]

Chemistry wasn't my strong suit, but I struggled through 3 semesters of it in college to get my BSN. I suspect that would be harder to do for pre-med though. There are lots of careers in the health care field. If you can't handle the chemistry for pre-med, there are many other satisfying things you could pursue.

[DianeA6276]

For pre-med you will need more than general chemistry; you will need organic, inorganic, quant analysis, physical chem and physics with calculus. So that chem problem is only going to get worse. And anesthesiology actually uses a lot of chemistry (lots of drugs involved). You might want to consider physician assistant or nurse practitioner, as less chemistry (although still required) involved.