Lessons Learned - Choose Your School Wisely - Page 8

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  1. Jun 12, '12 by
    Quote from moonchild86
    Even an expert in mathematics may occasionally make a mistake in arithmetic.. I'm not saying it's not dangerous and God knows it's basic calculations- but it should happen in school, with the student having the ability to see where the mistake is made so that it doesn't happen in the real world. To just cut off their head immediately seems harsh. And also a total rip off for someone who has spent so much money and effort to get to that point in their education in the first place.
    It the math expert makes a basic arithmetic mistake, what do you think the cause is? Moving too fast? Not paying attention? Not double checking their work? They are all very dangerous things when lives are at stake.

    I have witnessed someone forget to convert lbs to kg in a weight-dosing calculation because they were distracted and missed a step. The result was unfortunate.

    That being said we all make mistakes. Everyone should do their best to limit them. Perhaps I was too harsh. Two shots at 100 or one at 90.
    Last edit by BostonFNP on Jun 12, '12
    Learnlesson likes this.
  2. Jun 12, '12 by
    Quote from de2013
    It the math expert makes a basic arithmetic mistake, what do you think the cause is? Moving too fast? Not paying attention? Not double checking their work? They are all very dangerous things when lives are at stake.

    I have witnessed someone forget to convert lbs to kg in a weight-dosing calculation because they were distracted and missed a step. The result was unfortunate.

    That being said we all make mistakes. Everyone should do their best to limit them. Perhaps I was too harsh. Two shots at 100 or one at 90.
    Absolutely careless mistakes. Those mistakes should be learning experiences when it comes to the medcal exams- I think. Show them how important it is during the education experience the importance of taking your time and triple checking your work.
    Learnlesson likes this.
  3. Jun 13, '12 by
    Face it, Joe,

    You weren't kicked out because of a lack of an English credit...you were kicked out because you were a pain in the butt. You bucked up against them way too often. I honestly can't say I wouldn't have done the same thing as your Nursing program...and then would have breathed a deep sigh of relief!
    NurseRiv likes this.
  4. Jun 13, '12 by
    Quote from moonchild86
    To just cut off their head immediately seems harsh. .
    I didn't scroll all the way back but it seems as if there was more than a single shot at the test so it wasn't "immediately".

    My program allowed 90 as a passing grade. The first semester we had 3 chances as the math formulas were new to some. Everyone knew going into it that if a passing grade wasn't achieved then they were out of the program. Period. No ifs ands or buts. 2nd semester (mini mester) it was 2 chances. 3rd, 4th, 5th semesters it was a one shot deal. You miss it you're gone.

    It's not a "total ripoff" for people spending the money to get that education. It's a consequence of their actions. If you know going into something that you have no choice but to pass or you're out of the program then you better make damned certain that you pass. You owe it to yourself to know how to work the problems. It's more than just basic math, it's discipline, it's going that extra mile to ensure you're not the one who makes a careless mistake.

    **Edited to add: It's this sense of entitlement that gets me every time. The original poster went and complained/cried/argued her point or issue and was given another chance. She didn't deserve another chance any more than anyone else in her position. Standards are in place for a reason.
    ProfRN4 likes this.
  5. Jun 13, '12 by
    Ok - guys - I found nursing math easy. HOWEVER - they are word problems and sometimes people have difficult comprehending them, read too much into them or simply misread them. Never mind the fact that some people fold under 'test taking' pressure or make ridiculous mistakes that make them want to bang their head against a wall for doing. I absolutely guarantee you all will work with someone who agonized over every exam and will be the cool as a cucumber rock that all lean on in a code. Nursing school is NOT real life and grades will never predict what kind of nurse you'll be. Having a %100 on a med math test on stuff you are just learning and is completely hypothetical to you - aren't you wonderful (pats on head.) The fact of the matter is most of REAL life nursing math is ridiculously easy. And when it's more difficult we often help each other out double checking ourselves. Chances are good that that the nurse who God forbid received an 85 % on math testing what is abstract theory at this point, won't go on to kill someone later when they graduate. That's just silly. No excuse not to study, though. Not what I'm saying. Should the poster have made different choices - probably. Do I have sympathy for her anyway? Yes. I feel for anyone going through a difficult time. Period. But please, stop the drama of comparing patient care to a test. Ugh.
    moonchild86 likes this.
  6. Jun 13, '12 by
    Quote from Learnlesson
    Face it, Joe,

    You weren't kicked out because of a lack of an English credit...you were kicked out because you were a pain in the butt. You bucked up against them way too often. I honestly can't say I wouldn't have done the same thing as your Nursing program...and then would have breathed a deep sigh of relief!
    I don't think the OP was kicked out..I think she walked away in a huff, sort of like "I'll show you!" kind of way.
    brillohead likes this.
  7. Jun 13, '12 by
    Quote from withasmilelpn
    Ok - guys - I found nursing math easy. HOWEVER - they are word problems and sometimes people have difficult comprehending them, read too much into them or simply misread them. Never mind the fact that some people fold under 'test taking' pressure or make ridiculous mistakes that make them want to bang their head against a wall for doing. I absolutely guarantee you all will work with someone who agonized over every exam and will be the cool as a cucumber rock that all lean on in a code. Nursing school is NOT real life and grades will never predict what kind of nurse you'll be. Having a %100 on a med math test on stuff you are just learning and is completely hypothetical to you - aren't you wonderful (pats on head.) The fact of the matter is most of REAL life nursing math is ridiculously easy. And when it's more difficult we often help each other out double checking ourselves. Chances are good that that the nurse who God forbid received an 85 % on math testing what is abstract theory at this point, won't go on to kill someone later when they graduate. That's just silly. No excuse not to study, though. Not what I'm saying. Should the poster have made different choices - probably. Do I have sympathy for her anyway? Yes. I feel for anyone going through a difficult time. Period. But please, stop the drama of comparing patient care to a test. Ugh.
    The OP did not fail out her program due to the math policies. She QUIT because they wouldn't take her English class from another program.
  8. Jun 13, '12 by
    I know - it's the multiple comments about how students should only get 100 or that will a patient be ok with 3 tries... that I find silly. So - I guess I'm guilty of not replying about the OP's post for the most part - except where I mentioned she should've probably made different choices and that I had sympathy for her. I did read the whole thing.
  9. Jun 14, '12 by
    Quote from withasmilelpn
    Ok - guys - I found nursing math easy. HOWEVER - they are word problems and sometimes people have difficult comprehending them, read too much into them or simply misread them. Never mind the fact that some people fold under 'test taking' pressure or make ridiculous mistakes that make them want to bang their head against a wall for doing. I absolutely guarantee you all will work with someone who agonized over every exam and will be the cool as a cucumber rock that all lean on in a code. Nursing school is NOT real life and grades will never predict what kind of nurse you'll be. Having a %100 on a med math test on stuff you are just learning and is completely hypothetical to you - aren't you wonderful (pats on head.) The fact of the matter is most of REAL life nursing math is ridiculously easy. And when it's more difficult we often help each other out double checking ourselves. Chances are good that that the nurse who God forbid received an 85 % on math testing what is abstract theory at this point, won't go on to kill someone later when they graduate. That's just silly. No excuse not to study, though. Not what I'm saying. Should the poster have made different choices - probably. Do I have sympathy for her anyway? Yes. I feel for anyone going through a difficult time. Period. But please, stop the drama of comparing patient care to a test. Ugh.
    Thank you. This is exactly how I feel about the whole medcal thing. You stated it much more eloquently than I could.
  10. Jun 15, '12 by
    I'm another one who has never had a problem with "story problems" in math, but I think this is the way they look to people who have problems reading them and breaking them down:

    Jennybrie and moonchild86 like this.