TEACHING BIOCHEMISTRY TO NURSING STUDENTS

Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes within and relating to living organisms. This field of knowledge is considered one of the most difficult disciplines for students in the Higher Education Area. Most of the Degrees and Bachelors programs related to Biology, Chemistry, Medicine, Biotechnology, and Chemical Engineering contain at least one course focused on Biochemistry. During the last few years, new Degree programmes focused on Nursing or Human Nutrition have been designed and implemented in Spain and in most cases, those programs have been improved with the addition of courses related to Biochemistry, mainly applied Biochemistry. In general, professors have really appreciated this change, because Biochemistry offers the required knowledge to properly understand important processes such as metabolic disorders, the theoretical principle under some health care techniques, the assimilation of the nutrients, etc. However, Nursing students have a negative perception about Biochemistry and most of them consider that this subject is not necessary to become a qualified Nursing professional. This article explores these issues and examines the role of Biochemistry teachers in changing the Nursing students' negative perception and helping them to develop a more positive attitude towards studying and learning Clinical Biochemistry.