When smart people become dumb

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

I had to get a 92% on this math test in nursing to pass and I only got a 90%. Not only am I sick because I studied so hard but because I missed it by 2%! So I have to study more. I have a test on Wednesday that I have to start studying for. Now then this re-take math test on the 30th or something.A test the following Monday given by a teacher that pulls answers out of the a$$ ...of the book! I mean, you really have to think, and when you think it is right, you are not. Anyone that thinks chemistry is hard, start digging your grave. I was a A student in all subjects from chem (with help) to physio to drawing to English (notice I did not sat math) and "B"s can be hard to swallow some times. Its not that I can not think this way. I have worked in the medical field. I am doing great in the clinical stuff , all "As" there. I got to stop complaining, I want to be here. I just did not know I was really going to have to work for it. When I did not get accepted to the ADN I said it was a good thing because I wanted to have smart people in my study groups.(they put names in hats) Now, people in my study groups are probably thinking, how did she slip in? OK maybe I am exaggerating, but it feels like that.

Specializes in Critical Care, Cardiothoracics, VADs.
I want to be here. I just did not know I was really going to have to work for it.

Well... firstly I think 90% is pretty good - I can't believe you need a 92% to pass! As to the statement above, anything worth having is worth working for.

Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice, Home Health.

I had a professor that would say "don't SHOULD all over yourself."

OK, so you got a 90%, do what you need to do to get that 92%.

You are not stupid because you got a 90.

peale books>>> Believe and you will receive. STUDY. Learn this stuff

backwards and forwards. Eat, sleep, and breathe the math....When you take the test work out the problem on a scrap piece of paper more than one way, check yourself...

YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!!

And when you have been in nursing 12 yrs, you can read a forum and encourage someone ELSE who went though the same thing (I've been where you are at.....)

YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

atlantarn

Look at it this way, Your 90% there. In my school, every med math exam has to be passed 100%. They give you one second chance but I've never had to use it. The reason is that all the major hospitals in this region require you to pass their med math or med administration exam with a 100% as a condition of employment. In clinical, we are expected to know the math and explain the pharmacology of any med to our instructor and then to the patient in terms they can understand in relation to their level of comprehension. Just hunker down with the book for a while and always ask yourself....What are they asking for? I allways see kids plugging in numbers they don't need to!

We have a similar requirement here in class. Every clinical rotation (8 weeks) you get a math test. You have to get a 90% to pass. I am not good at math AT ALL! I was so nervous and got very worked up about it. But, when I got in there and took the test, I got 100%! I cleared my mind and told myself I WANT this. So, encourage yourself!!! KNOW YOU CAN!

Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.
I had a professor that would say "don't SHOULD all over yourself."

OK, so you got a 90%, do what you need to do to get that 92%.

You are not stupid because you got a 90.

peale books>>> Believe and you will receive. STUDY. Learn this stuff

backwards and forwards. Eat, sleep, and breathe the math....When you take the test work out the problem on a scrap piece of paper more than one way, check yourself...

YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!!

And when you have been in nursing 12 yrs, you can read a forum and encourage someone ELSE who went though the same thing (I've been where you are at.....)

YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

atlantarn

Thanks for the encouragement. We get three tries to get it by the end of the semester or we are out. I asked my teacher if anyone did not pass it by the third time, she said every one has passed by the third time. I just hope I am not that one that sets the "first time for everything" saying. I am proud that I got the 90% (I have been tested for a learning disability in math) its just hard when your "best" is not good enough. But, I can do better!!!

As to speak to this topic.

I work a full-time managerial job that pays very well and I need to support my 2 kids. The job is pretty demanding. I also attending nursing school every night. In addition I suffer from Crohn's disease.

Prior to my entry to the nursing program I maintained a 4.0 gpa over 60 hours and a 3.5 at DePaul and a 3.3 over 120 hours (misc).

Anyways, my point is when you get stressed, behind, run down, sleep deprived, etc even those whom believed themselves to be magnificent managers of their knowledge and skills can falter and fail.

Now I get straight Cs and am having a hard time but I'm still passing and surviving. My point is do your best and respect yourself utmost.

Environmental factors and circumstance can turn the tide on even the most intelligent of us.

Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

It's too bad when you don't get the required score. ESPECIALLY when it's 2 % points off. Our math test was part of our first test, then during 2nd and 4th semester we have to get 100% on dosage test in order to continue in the program. We get 3 chances, but have no say in when the test is given. STUDY, STUDY, STUDY more than you have to. Even when you think you have it down, there's always 1 more thing that you can pick up. I consistantly think of the dosage equivlents so I won't have a problem calculating meds. Came in handy when demoing my oral meds. I used another's MAR sheet after they did, so the instructor upped the dosage of my liquid bigtime(like 4x amt on MAR). Had to show calc and say 7 rights. Was great to have that down. Good luck on the next one and hang in there!!

Specializes in OB.
Well... firstly I think 90% is pretty good - I can't believe you need a 92% to pass! As to the statement above, anything worth having is worth working for.

lol.. are you kidding? my math tests have to be passed with 100%, you get 2 attempts, then you are outta the park.

as far as the other tests.. Good luck with the next one! breathe! you know this stuff. look at it this way, you can read an book and tell me what its about, right? Ok. same thing here, read it, then tell me what its about. Apply what you read to critically think about what they are asking, and if its multiple choice, the answer IS staring you in the face.

It's 100% at my school.

I'm amazed at the schools that are actually having math tests as part of a requirement :bow:. At my school it isn't required at the beginning of term we had a quiz in which not many people did well on :redlight: and got basically told you need to get this. I look at every math question having potential med error concequences so I double and triple check it. I love med math and this is coming from someone who used to HATE math :monkeydance:

Not sure what kind of med math your school is using but we were taught dimensional analysis... :nurse:

Specializes in OB.

not only is ours a requirement with 100%, it is required EVERY semester

you could seriously be in week 10 of 17 in your 4th semester and fail out because of the math!!!!!!!!:stone

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