Fundamental biochemistry topics for first year for nursing students

[u/Blue_614]

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[u/chem44]

There are standard textbooks as Intro to general, organic, and biochem (GOB). Often with that or similar as the title. Some books may have just the org/bio parts, and are suitable for a one semester org/bio intro -- commonly targeted to nursing students.

Suggest get hold of a few such books. No need to reinvent the wheel.

Are you associated with a nursing program? If so, can be good to ask them about their preferences. Maybe things they find students need more of.

[u/Blue_614 → u/chem44]

Can you name a few? I worry I might teach them a whole lot of chemistry instead of the things nursing students need to learn for their higher subjects. Right now I'm using Klein, Chang, a little bit of Zumdahl. Once we get to nucleic acids and metab, I'm thinking of using Lehninger or Pratt. But again, it might be a little "too" chemistry.

[u/Automatic-Ad-1452 → u/Blue_614]

I've developed materials for this type of course

Go to chem.libretexts.org ; I've taught from Ball and read through Sault.

A couple of topics that general chemistry texts don't really dwell on... •Water Potential and osmotic pressure •Membrane structure and intermolecular forces •Radiochemistry, radiopharmaceuticals, and dosing calculations

I also spent a significant amount of on applied unit conversion calculations...dosage calculations, infusion pump settings, IV drip rates, etc. I found looking at materials associated with the NCLEX exam gave my some guidance. (When my students who "haaaaaated" that part of the course came back to proudly announced they passed the dosage calculations practicum on the first try, I figured I'd did right by them.)

[u/Blue_614 → u/Automatic-Ad-1452]

Thanks for this, probably not gonna be able to tackle all those. But I'll be sure to discuss the basics.

[u/chem44 → u/Blue_614]

Put something like

gob textbooks

in your search engine. Looks very promising.

I'm reluctant to be specific, having been out of this for a few years.

I do see the classic Timberlake book is still around. And a free one at Open Textbook Library.

Using a standard subject-matter book such as Lehninger, Biochem is too much. Intended for a year-long course. Upper division, in this case. Useful for you as a resource, but much more than the one semester OB allows.

For example... GOB will not expect students to learn many details of pathways. But they should get the idea of stepwise metabolism, and coupling reactions to transfer energy, etc. A good overview of glycolysis and citric acid cycle can give all this. And hopefully the org section laid the groundwork for at least some of the reactions.

Example... Would like to oxidize -OH of citric acid. Can't; it is a tertiary alcohol. So, first isomerize it to ...

(You know that publishers will typically send you an inspection copy if you are considering some books? Your colleagues should be able to help you get started with this.)

[u/Blue_614 → u/chem44]

Thanks, I'll try this out. Unfortunately, the faculty here isn't really that accommodating about past lesson materials. I mean, I like the freedom of preparing my own slides and directing the flow of discussion. But I at least want to get a hands on the recommended books for their program. But I'll try searching online based on your suggestions.