[Lachrymologist]

I hate the M word. So I need to know...How much math will be taught/used in PN school? How often do LPNs find themselves using it in the work place?

[FutureNurse35]

It is depends on the job you will be doing. I know someone who is an LPN, she does not do much math at her current job. She works at a Jail.

[Bala Shark]

At our school..It was kind of tuff..First semester, we can get 75% on an exam to pass to next semester..Second semester we had to get 80% on an exam to pass to next semester..And the last semester, we had to get 90% on an exam to pass..

Luckily, the instructor gave the students extra credit in the math exam so many people barely pulled through with a 92%..But the instructor made things difficult for us because he put some new material in the day before the test.

It really depends on your school but you have to learn how to calculate drug dosages in order for safe medication administration..What if you dont know how to do that? What would you do in the workplace? You can actully kill a patient by giving too much of the drug..Think about that..

[Lachrymologist]

Bala Shark, believe me, I know how scary that is. I'm assuming they allow calculators at the work place??? *sigh* The reason why I'm asking all of this now is because math could be the only thing standing in the way of me passing (if I even get in). I'm H-O-R-R-I-B-L-E at math. In highschool I failed one year of algebra and one semester of geometry. As for the other semester of geometry, I barely made it. Then, when I attended college I failed the elementary algebra course. I KNOW that I'm a very intelligent girl. But when it comes to math I just flat out can't seem to comprehend it most of the time. Anyone have any advice? Should I just not even try to attend PN school? Thanks guys.

[kizzysmom]

I suggest that you get a good math for nurses/dosage calculation book. The one I liked best was Anna Curren's DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS FOR MEDS. Start at Chapter 1, work your way thru all of the exercises and you will be fine come the beginning of LPN school. I was also somewhat math phobic before I took chemistry and my professor turned me on to this book. It worked for me. Good luck, you can do it.

[Bala Shark]

Yes, I also recommend reading a good dosage nursing calculations book...In any case, I know my friend who went to a different LPN school...To pass school, she did not have to go through what I went through..It was much easier for her because she needed to pass with 75% to graduate..It depends on the school..I guess you can do it..If you can pass the theory lecture portion of LPN school, you would have enough intelligence to pass the math part..

[pagandeva2000]

Originally Posted by Lachrymologist

Bala Shark, believe me, I know how scary that is. I'm assuming they allow calculators at the work place??? *sigh* The reason why I'm asking all of this now is because math could be the only thing standing in the way of me passing (if I even get in). I'm H-O-R-R-I-B-L-E at math. In highschool I failed one year of algebra and one semester of geometry. As for the other semester of geometry, I barely made it. Then, when I attended college I failed the elementary algebra course. I KNOW that I'm a very intelligent girl. But when it comes to math I just flat out can't seem to comprehend it most of the time. Anyone have any advice? Should I just not even try to attend PN school? Thanks guys.

I agree, get a good book that focuses on dimensional analysis math. I say that because my math sucks, too. At work, I do get to carry a calculator, and I had one during clinicals. ALso, my nursing math instructor allowed us to use a calculator for the class. I am finding that math was not really that necessary at the work place, to be honest. The medication is usually pre-packaged. Now, I am a new orientee at my job (two weeks), but, I have not really seen them do calculations. I would still try PN school. I surprized myself...math sucks for me and I got an A in math dosages for nurses. Only had one math question on the state boards, and it was easy as sin.