Math question

Mona Mona, BSN, RN · Nov 18, 2005

Hi, welcome to Allnurses.com. :)

I am only required to take one math course for my ADN program, it's called Math for the Nursing Profession. It's basically all about ratios, drug dosage calculations, and how to find the right syringes, etc.

I would go to amazon.com and look up "Drug Dosage Calculations" for books. I still have over 1 year on the waitlist, and I will be done with my math class in December. I will be buying some of those books to keep my skills sharp.

I have a friend in the program already, and she says you only have 2 tries to take the test, each semester, and you must get a 90% or above.

Good Luck! Each program is different in their requirements.........Look up what the courses are for your college, and see if you can buy the books now, and just keep reviewing a bit each week, so at least you'll be somewhat familiar with the text before you actually take the class.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Nov 18, 2005

If you know how to solve for "x" you're pretty much there. You also need to understand how ratios work and this is covered in pre-algebra classes. Basic high school elementary algebra will serve you quite well. Algebra for Dummies is a very easy presentation of elementary algebra, but doesn't go into depth on all the subjects covered in an elementary algebra course. I like using the Schaum Lecture series of books and there are many of them on various math subjects including elementary and intermediate algebra. They run about $20 and you can get them from a college bookstore or Barnes and Noble very easily. They present all the major subject areas covered in the particular subject they are about along with plenty of examples that are worked out in step by step presentations.

Here are a couple of web sites you might like to investigate for help with doing math.

http://www.purplemath.com/modules/index.htm

http://www.math.com/students/homeworkhelp.html

poetryeclipse · Nov 18, 2005

Thank you for your help I looked at the websites you recommended and I'm going to barnes and noble today to see what i can find. As for "Math for the nursing profession." I think the school I will attending for my Bachelors degree in nursing provides something along those lines but I just want to make sure I'm prepared for anything. I can get past the basic algebra, algebra one with okay grades I'm sure but I had heard you had to take a calculus class in your junior or senior year of college? I hope not I'm more of an english, science kind of girl!

~Amber~

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2005

Really, elementary algebra will suffice for drug calculations. I've taken Calculus before and am getting prepared to take it again, but it is in order to take some College Physics. I was a Chemistry major at one time which is why I needed the Calculus. Even the equations we did in College Chemistry were just basic algebra and manipulation of ratios until we got to solving solubility problems which you are not likely to get in Chemistry for the Health Sciences.