Nursing - Help With Math

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 15, 2014

I can take it senior year

Senior year of high school? Or senior year of college?

My math skills are extremely weak, yet I have been a nurse for a little more than eight years. I should mention that I started as an LPN/LVN and later earned an ASN, so I have not yet taken and passed a college-level math course. However, I will be starting an online RN-to-BSN course soon, which will require two math courses (survey of college math and statistics), so I am going to have to brush up.

The real working world of nursing requires minimal math skills, perhaps elementary algebra at the 7th or 8th grade level, to figure out the occasional drip rate and dosages per kilogram of body weight. Although my math skills are weak, I was able to pass a dosage calculations test with 100 percent accuracy using dimensional analysis.

Good luck to you!

RunBabyRN · Mar 15, 2014

In CA, if you want a BSN, you have to take statistics in college. When you go to college, you'll take a math placement test, and be placed in the proper math level for where you are. For an ADN, you won't need stats, but you'll need to take some math, I believe, for your associate's (general ed).

HappyWife77, BSN, RN · Mar 15, 2014

Take all the algebra you can. It also develops critical thinking skills.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 15, 2014

I see you are in high school.....Depending on where you live and what program you are interested in and what degree in nursing you are looking to achieve. You will be required to have higher level math. Some programs look for high school Algebra 2 and physics and/or calculus. You need biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology. Honor classes if possible they are weighed heavier and will boost your GPA.

Basic nursing math is advanced algebra. Dimensional analysis.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Mar 16, 2014

We have to take College Algebra before getting into the program. Math is not my strong area. I took Algebra I twice in high school and Algebra II, Geometry, and Trig all in high school. Did not do well in Trig though. Cannot for the life of me understand what the point of logarithms is. I had to take an Accuplacer test before getting back into college and performed poorly in the math. I took Algebra I again last semester and aced it, am taking Algebra II this semester and currently have 110%, and will take College Algebra over the summer. I happened to have an awesome instructor last semester who really made me understand algebra for the first time in my life. Now I kinda like it. So don't worry if you are struggling with it in high school, I did also, and now am doing really well.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 19, 2014

Many programs in our area require completion of Intermediate or College Algebra. In addition, most BSN programs require Statistics.

Sometimes, you can test out of math or CLEP it. However, it depends on the policy of the school you wish to attend.

Actual nursing math is simple dimensional analysis, but understanding how to set up word problems is vital.

I would suggest you narrow down your school choices, talk to the admissions counselor and find out what your math options are.

Good job being proactive about your future :)

NeoNatMom · Mar 20, 2014

Honestly, they teach you how to tackle "nursing" math when you are in your program. I wouldn't worry too much. Most of what you learn in Alg will be useless. You will use the same group of problems lthroughout nursing once you see them. Just don't try to simply memorize a formula. Understand why the numbers go where they belong in it. It will stick much longer. Use the NLN- pre-entrance exam guide for math. It will help some. Best of luck!!!

Pink Magnolia, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2014

I took every math and science course my school offered at my high school because I didn't have to pay for it ...you may just see the material again in college.