A FUMING MAD VENT!

Saysfaa · May 15, 2010

Perhaps taking algebra from the ground up would be worth your while. Rod and Staff has a good, inexpensive *everything you need to know before starting algebra* book in their 8th grade math book. Then work your way through the algebra, either on your own or take classes.

Courtcatt · May 15, 2010

I totally understand your frusturation...DONT GIVE UP... It will come... just keep trying. It sounds like you really want this..and from what I've heard this is such a common thing with people... So eventually your dedication will show... Good luck :)

Sassy Pants · May 15, 2010

keep trying..get the study guides... take classes to help you excel at these tests...yeah, you may have to wait a while, but it'll be worth it.

CuriousMe · May 15, 2010

Have you considered that they haven't judged that you "haven't got what it takes" but have just judged that there were other applicants who had a stronger application than you did?

I agree with the person who suggested taking algebra from the start. You've identified your weaknesses, it seems you can stomp around and get annoyed at the school....or you can take steps to make yourself a stronger candidate. As with everything else in life, you get to choose how you react to disappointing news.

Have yourself a good cry, eat lots of ice cream, or chocolate, or whatever makes you feel better......then make a plan to make yourself a stronger candidate.

Justanotherday · May 15, 2010

I would sign myself up for an Algebra class or two while you are waiting to get in. Or buy a book and teach yourself, then retake that test. A good company to try if you want to self teach is "Teaching Textbooks" (teachingtextbooks.com). I did well in Algebra when I was in school, but that was 20+ years ago and we weren't allowed to use calculators. I took Algebra 2 this semester and I am learning a lot of new things, with the help of an excellent teacher at my community college. My teacher also recommends the website purplemath.com for practice.

Birry · May 15, 2010

Look at the videos at the www.khanacademy.org. It's like having a private tutor at home, for free, whenever you want.

llg, PhD, RN · May 15, 2010

One very positive thing in your favor is that you have been able to identify where your problems lie. You never learned math properly and you perform poorly on standardized tests. OK. Those are problems that can hurt a nursing career as you must be able to do math to be a nurse and you must be able to pass the NCLEX exam to be licensed. (Schools must maintain a respectable NCLEX pass rate to keep their accreditations. So they don't want to accept students who can't pass the test.)

Fortunately, both of those problems can be dealt with. You can take a good algebra course and conquer your math problems. First problem solved. You can take a course, do some workbooks, etc. to improve your test-taking skills. Second problem solved. Once you do those things ... your other strengths should get you the nursing career you seek.

Too many struggling students come here with rants who have no clue as to what their problem areas are. They blame everyone else for their problems and do nothing constructive to improve their chances of success. You're able to identify your weak areas -- now go out and work on them. Fix those problems and you'll be set.

Good luck to you.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · May 15, 2010

More and more nursing programs are turning to screening tests to ensure that the students who are admitted have the wherewithall to succeed throughout the rigorous program. This helps both the potential students and the program. It is tragic and devastating when a student gets admitted into a nursing program, only to find out (after failing a course or two and spending mega $$$), that the academic requirements are way above the student's head. I like llg's advice. To the OP - it sounds like you are really frustrated and desperately want to be a nurse. Put some of that energy into doing what it will take to get into the program: polish those math skills. I know several students who had very poor math skills. They started out taking remedial courses and, although it took many semesters, they eventually equipped themselves with the necessary math skills to get admitted into the nursing program and to succeed! Best wishes to you for your success :)

KristeyK · May 15, 2010

You've been offered some GREAT advice! I was also NOT a whiz at Math. I went and bought myself a couple of Algebra workbooks about six months before I took any kind of test. I made sure I could whiz through those books fairly well before I signed up and I practiced, practiced, and practiced some more. I ended up scoring better in Math than everything else. (I took the HESI exam and scored a 99% in Math, 95 in everything else.)

YOU CAN DO IT!

alyssa* · May 15, 2010

I agree with [some] of the others in that an algebra class would definitely benefit you.

If it is something that ridiculous that is holding you back, I suggest applying other schools, especially to increase your odds.

Good LUck!

naenae1979 · May 16, 2010

For the record, I have taken intermediate algebra and scored an A and I have taken college algebra and scored a B!!!! Its not that I am BOMBING these test, they are (the Teas) brand new to our school, and this is the VERY 1ST year they offered them! I can't re take it until NEXT January! -To everyone else....thanks so very much for your CONSTRUCTIVE critisim! Some of these ideas I had not thought of!