I just dont understand!!

Nurses General Nursing

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Why do colleges make you take classes that have NOTHING to do with nursing?? We are in such a dire need for nurses, yet colleges acrost the United States feel as though we need to know how to write a synthesis paper, or give a speech about Cancun. Algebra, in gereral, is not used and medical math is...But in our college math for meds is NOT the requirement, ALGEBRA IS??? What gives?? I just feel if the colleges of today would cut the bull s*%T classes, our immediate need for nurses could, and would be solved. Why do I need to know Boyles law in chemistry?? Shouldnt I be learning things that pertain to my nursing...Its all about the almighty dollar!!! NOT patient care!!! That upsets me!!:angryfire Anyone else feel this way, or am I over-reacting???

Specializes in OR.
We are also professionals, not tradesmen. A professional is educated in more then just the mechanics of tasks, she is taught to think and reason, and has many resources on which to draw conclusions. Algebra teaches logic, the ability to put separate operations together and see what is not obvious, as well as relationships between disparate ideas. Being able to express yourself well, in both your charting and your communication with other professions is a necessity. There are far more aspects to nursing than just the hands on skills we use at the bedside, and a broad education is the foundation to doing more than empty bedpans.

i agree to a point. most nursins conversions with medicine (ok, as far as IVE seen so far, graduate in may... and i mean in bedside nursing on a non specialized unit) use basic math to solve for equations, which dont require algebra.

i mean algebra is more useful, than say stats, but ya. i dont think i'll EVER use stats, because i dont plan on doing research of any type. i dont think im going to be using the f of x anytime soon when i have to determine whether or not to hold a medicine :p

take history... you learn a lot about how society evolved in america, the ways we came on how to be socially, politcally, and economically. its useful to gain insight as to why we are the way we are in america at this time.

i kind of agree with the OP on some of the math though.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

You may have missed my point about algebra :)

It isn't necessarily the f of x, it is the ability to think logically and draw conclusions. Also, spotting falacies in arguments. As for stats, being able to spot a well done piece of research in the nursing magazines as opposed to sloppy work,,, not to mention illogical conclusions.

I didn't go back to school for nearly 20 years after my first degree, never thought I would want to. You just never know:devil:

By the way, those conversions to calculate dosages, etc., are algebraic equations.

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Specializes in OR.

no i didnt miss your point. i know what youre trying to say, im just saying i can understand the OP's point of view.

oh, and i meant to say basic algebra. not basic math. yes thats my mistake, lol. its algebra, but very simplified algebra at best :p

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Your pup is really cute, Jolly!

I just happen to have really enjoyed math in high school, still can't figure out why I couldn't get my kids to love it too, sigh.

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Specializes in CVICU.

I was thinking about this thread again, and I realized that some of the "BS" classes we were forced to take are actually somewhat useful at work. For example, when dealing with people of different socioeconomic status and those of different cultures. It helps having some background information on them to understand their points of view and how I can be culturally sensitive. In addition, I like being well-rounded, and I love learning... just my opinion :)

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Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.

I'll quote my dad (who practiced law for a living) but was also an M.D. and give you the very answer he gave when I had your exact complaint. "It makes you a well rounded person. That's necessary so you will be seen in the future as someone who has an education and not simply someone who attended classes for X number of years and got a degree. Also a broader education will let you look wiser and enable you to make conversation at the cocktail parties in your future.":D He was quite a man!

Kathy:paw::paw:

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Specializes in ED.

Seriously? You don't think that algebra, chemistry or writing have anything to do with nursing? Perhaps you've simply missed the point of all of those classes. "Medical math" is algebra. When we need the drip rate with a set concentration in a specific amount of fluid we need to solve for the missing variable. That's algebra! I took calculus, which doesn't have much to do with nursing. However, calculus requires you to do a ton of algebra. You don't think you need to know chemistry? If you don't know that pv=nrt, then how will you understand the pathophysiology of a patient with decompression sickness? How will you take care of a patient when you don't understand what's going on with them? It's true that you probably won't have to write a term paper as a nurse, but you should be writing articles, reports or basic commentary. You should have decent writing skills, which will help represent the profession. Nurses aren't dolts with bedpans and needles. Even if we were, I'll never understand why so many people, particually in this country, are so resitant when it comes to bettering themself.

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Specializes in Emergency, critical care.

You never know what your future as a nurse holds for you...Boyle's law is intrinsic to safe nursing practice for hyperbaric and flight nurses. Keep an open mind and you will have an amazing career....

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Specializes in A myriad of specialties.
i think that the programs want to turn out well rounded individuals- there is alot more to nursing than just the tasks!

i agree with this. i also believe that the more education one has(as in another health-related degree), the more well-rounded one is.

i recall asking my a&p instructor "why is it that we need to memorize the measurements of such things as mitochondria?????" he responded: "because it contributes to your total body of knowledge!" after 24 years of working as a nurse, i cannot recall those measurements but i sure was in awe of that interesting tidbit of information at the time.

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

1. You will need algebra.

2. They want you to be well rounded.

3. Perhaps they want to test to see how cooperative you are and if you are willing to step outside your comfort zone.

4. You will need to know all that chemistry stuff. I did not do well in chemistry and I lived to regret it after I graduated.

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