[TFAM]

Hi.

I was just wondering if you guys thought I should do this.

My ADN program does not require College Algebra so I am wondering if I should go ahead and take it, do you think it would increase my chances of getting into the program?

I don't think it will help my GPA because I am not very good at algebra so my odds of getting an A are slim to none...

Advice?

[JBRN2B]

Hello, overall Algebra is good to know for nursing school entry tests and drug dosage calculations, but if this grade is going to effect your GPA negatively I would advise against taking it. Better to get a text book on your own and go through it. You can find out at the campus bookstore what textbook the Algebra classes are using. When I applied to BSN programs it was all about GPA. There was a TEAS test requirement at one of the schools and it was handy to have taken Algebra, but I took Algebra I and II online, which means that I pretty much self taught Algebra by going through the textbooks on my own.

Best regards,
Jean

[locolorenzo22]

I second the above poster....algebra is good for ratios/calculations....and for my program you got one of your 20 points from taking a math within 5 years...points which were used when determining who got the x number of spots...how does admission work? That's a question you should ask an advisor at your school.....
Personally, I did ok in it, but I had a tough time with the B, when I hsould have gotten a A.....figure out what matters for admission.....

[ZooMommyRN]

I would go ahead and take it, if you plan to go on for BSN or MSN you'll need it, if your receiving pell grant or other scholarships, use them now to get other classes out of the way, I've managed to get enough done that I only need to complete 4 more classes after I graduate towards the RN-MSN programs around me which cuts alot of out of pocket expense down, and while I didn't get an A, it didn't figure into my admission as the only classes that count towards admission GPA were general psych, A&P I, Eng I & Math for Health, but the extra classes told them I was working towards more in the future, Good luck with whatever you decide!

[TFAM]

Thanks very much for all the comments. I am just a little nervous because I am taking a & p I & II in the same semester that I am trying to take College Algebra so....I am thinking I just need to stick with the classes that are required first and then take the extra.... maybe...

Jean-- How was the algebra online, harder than going to class do you think, I am considering taking it online, too.

[Jules A]

I'd also check and see if they only count nursing pre-reqs as part of your gpa before taking it. It is needed for your BSN anyway so it would be good to have it. My advice would be that if your math is a little shaky no way would I take it online, but thats just me.

[anurse2be09]

If it isn't required, why take it? I would never take that class alongside A&P if you struggle with math. I wouldn't waste your time or money taking the class. I don't think it will help you that much with clinical calculations. I have been digging into my math book for nursing class and I am doing fine figuring out the calculations with just the refresher math in the first chapter. I struggled with algebra in high school. But that's just my opinion . It does take algebra to figure some of the math out, but it is the most basic of algebra, nothing like you will be required to do in an actual algebra course.

[JBRN2B]

TFAM the online Algebra was great for me, but I was the type that could on my own go through the textbook. Online means you have to do all the homework if not more to really learn. There is no lecture so you have to be able to pick up information through reading and homework. I got A's in both I and II. For me Algebra was not a requirement. It did not count towards my prerequisite GPA. I just took it because Statistics was a prerequisite and I knew that having Algebra first would make taking Statistics easier. I also took Statistics online and got an A. I applied to two BSN programs and got into both. So it is not necessarily true that you need Algebra to get a BSN, at least in my area (Northern California). As for the applications, the two schools took the GPA of the prereqs primarily, but they also looked at overall GPA as well. If I thought that I would not have done well in Algebra I would have opted to teach myself and not risked lowering my GPA. Concentrate on your prerequisites and if you feel you have enough time and energy to also take Algebra (and get an A in it) then go ahead, but A & P I and II are pretty heavy classes to take together let alone with any other course. Good luck with whatever you decide.