undecided about nursing career...

avaloncar, BSN, RN · May 25, 2013

Listen to me, if math was a determining factor for me, I would have not gone into nursing either. I mean, I have been bad in math since I started kindergarten! When I was in high school I failed out of the LPN program because of math, I failed nearly every pharmacology test. Did I give up? Nope! 9 years later, I am now a RN with a math problem lol. But you have to say to yourself do you really want to become a nurse and it seems by your post, you do. Because if math is the only determining factor, you may just want to stay a CNA. And there is nothing wrong with being a CNA, I was one for 10 years. But if you really want to go on, find resources to help you with math and repetition is key with math. And you are scared to "apply yourself"? I am not sure what you mean by that but its either you apply yourself or you don't. Just apply yourself and go for it! Not everyone who goes into nursing is great in math, we all have our weaknesses and we all have to work on them to achieve our goals.

Truthfully math scares the crap out of me and with my history, it should have made me quit but I didn't. I made it through and you can too.

Good luck and keep us updated on your decision!

<3 Kimmii86 <3 · May 26, 2013

all my life i have been struggling to learn math.. it has always been a rough subject for myself. but i do study hard on basic math to keep my skills up. i took a cna course in nov. 2010 and passed with an 89%. state req. was 70%. i would love to obtain my lpn or rn but im scared to apply myself cause i know my math isnt great, but i love the CNA field but would love to continue further. i was wondering if its still possible to become a LPN with this problem? please help i am so confused and i have no support from family or friends,. they are all saying i should give up my cna license. i feel like i worked so hard to become a cna! help!! what would you do?

thank you for sharing that with me.....it really helped me say okay this is what you want then kick butt and go for it. right now i am a cna in senior living community and i enjoy it alot, but i want more. here in CT we have lpn courses but they all have a teas exam or accuplacer to take as a requirement before hand and i'm afraid i will bomb those. my family have also been putting me down since day one of me becoming a cna.... i passed the class with an 89% and failed the clinical twice because i allowed them to put negative thoughts in my head before walking throught the door of the testing sit. then march.17.2010 (st.patricks day) i passed with flying colors!! i am going to get information on a few schools to attend! thank you for showing me that math shouldnt be a reason to give up my dream career!!

avaloncar, BSN, RN · May 26, 2013

You are very welcome! I am happy you are going to go forward. You may have to try to surround yourself with positive people. And being a CNA is a wonderful career and no one should put you down about it. It shows your perseverance of still working hard to get your CNA license and that will help you to be a wonderful nurse.

Oh and I took the TEAS too. I seriously just crossed my fingers and prayed because even though I studied the TEAS review book I was still so lost on the math section. Thankfully english and science are my stronger areas so it bumped up my grade. But get a tutor or someone to help you review.

Good luck and keep me updated!

<3 Kimmii86 <3 · May 27, 2013

thank you for your words of encouragement and a bit of inspiration!!

megank5183 · May 28, 2013

Hi Kimmi,

Why does your family want you to give up your CNA license? Because your not good at math? Can you elaborate a little bit on that? It seems like maybe something else is bothering you.....Why would your family be so unsupportive? I would recommend taking a remedial algebra course through CC to see where your math skills really lie. Math is not really a huge part of nursing education anyway....Feel better:)

<3 Kimmii86 <3 · Jun 11, 2013

my family were unsupportive from the start...my parents always dreamed of me becoming a poetry writer. That is a skill i have but i didnt want that as a career. i really enjoyed caring for the sick and elderly. since my last post i have continued my work as a cna but i am still looking forward to becoming a nurse. My family have always told me that "I don't have the"nack" to become a nurse or CNA." That is what is truly bothering me to this day. But, recently I was at work today and almost went to tears because a resident said "I appreciate you as My NA and you have the heart and drive for it." That made me feel a lot better because i dont hear positive words often. " I have enrolled in Community college for basic courses in math and still working as CNA. I am doing okay with myself so far, i will keep everyone posted!

silverbat · Jun 17, 2013

Don't pay attention to those wanting you to fail! You have already proved you can succeed! Keep on reaching for your goal of being a nurse. The best way to hush up the ones putting you down is to succeed. Don't let them win by listening to them! Hang in there. BTW... I am not good at math, either and still did great in PN and ASN!!!

Cobweb · Jul 6, 2013

Nursing Poetry

Nursing needs more poets--it's a vastly underpopulated field!