Any tips for making it thru Pharmacology?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Peds, LDRP.

Hello again,

fellow LPN student here :) if u have seen my other posts about clinicals, u will see that I am a little worry wart. This is pitiful we are on Christmas break and the only thing I can think of is school...lol. The next thing on my list thats coming up is pharmacology.

Now, I really SUCK when it comes to math. I was wondering if anyone can offer any tips or resources for brushing up on my math skills I will need for pharmacology. I would hate to make it this far with flying colors only to flunk Pharm and end up recycling (which is not an option because the waiting list is about 2 years long for those reentering the program!). I know we start pharm sometime in January and would like to know what to expect. thanks in advance!

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

"Math for Nurses" is a small inexpensive book that helped me tremendously. You should be able to find it cheaply on half.com Good luck

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Hi! Glad to hear you are doing so well with school!! If you go to a bookstore, they have a ton of books about pharmacology. Boarders seems to have a bigger selection of text books than B and N....One of those books may help. Once you get the jist of the math...you won't believe how easy it is. It will become second nature. I even found out that I knew how to solve problems from high school because its the same formula....last but not least...practice!! if you ask your teacher, they may have some extra worksheets laying around that they could copy for you...mine did! =0) I was terrified too..but it turned out ok!

Goodluck!

Jules

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The above are right. It's fractions and decimal type equations. Remember Chemistry equations and algebra?

Don't sweat it, just stay awake in class!:chuckle

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Have you had to take the math calculations test before? We have to take it at the beginning of the semester and pass (only able to miss 2 at this point). Let me tell you... I failed the test during my first semester (luckily you get two shots) but only because I didn't practice. I thought I was going to be a big ol' bad @ss since I had just completed calculus with an A. Ha! The joke was on me.

Honestly, it is not that hard. If there is someone that you know who has taken the test before and can show you the easier ways to complete the equations.. take them up on it. Otherwise, there are books available to you (hopefully) in your bookstore.

As far as pharm goes... I made the mistake of taking it online. I didn't learn JACK that semester. I still have to look up drugs and make cards to keep everything straight.

You will do fine. Try to enjoy the rest of your winter break!! :)

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When I was in school, I memorized the calculations. I also practiced all the time. I did'nt like our book, so I went to the college bookstore, and found one that could help. It had more examples and extra practice problems. I think I bought it when we did pediatric dosing. Our math teacher was horrible. Instead of complaining I bought the extra book and practiced. I am horrible at math. We were not allowed to use calculators so everything had to be worked out by hand. Keep at it. If I could do it, you can too...Good luck

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Specializes in Postpartum, Antepartum, Psych., SDS, OR.

Hanging In There 2 Where did you go to school? How long was your program, what was the cost and what courses could you take online? Lots of questions, so I hope you have the time to answer.

Thanks, Cay

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Hey Kay, I went to TN Tech in Elizabethton Tn. Highly rated program. Very hard though. we went to class every day 8-4. It was very fast paced. our instructor was very hard, but I'm glad she was. I came out with what I needed to know. I could only work 2 weekend nights while I was in school. Now I am back part time taking core classes to bridge over for rn. There is only one asd program around here and I hear the wait is years. Bsn will be to many core classes and at my age management does not interest me. My best advice is to listen in class, and come home and read over things you don't understand. pal up with a friend on your academic level to help out if you have questions. Don't sweat clinicals. Learn all you can. I've been out of school over a year and I love the med surg floor I am on. Something new everyday. Good Luck, and let me know if you need any help..

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Peds, LDRP.

cjan,

hey neighbor, Im from Johnson City TN! :) I live in FL now though....I considered the Tenn Tech program and probably should have done it bc I could have moved with my LPN already, but I was hardheaded and had that itch to get out of a small town at 22 so I was determined to leave! It took me two years to find a local program with space. but we live and learn! besides I probably didnt have the drive then that I have now to make a life for myself.

I didnt even know any schools around east TN had the ASN....does Northeast State have one? or Walter State? Also, u may want to check into the LPN-BSN at ETSU. It doesnt seem all that long, but then again I have most of the core classes because I used to be a professional student back when I lived in TN from 19-22. I was always "in school" but never really working toward a degree...lol.

Anyway just wanted to say hello, its a small world!

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Hello again,

fellow LPN student here :) if u have seen my other posts about clinicals, u will see that I am a little worry wart. This is pitiful we are on Christmas break and the only thing I can think of is school...lol. The next thing on my list thats coming up is pharmacology.

Now, I really SUCK when it comes to math. I was wondering if anyone can offer any tips or resources for brushing up on my math skills I will need for pharmacology. I would hate to make it this far with flying colors only to flunk Pharm and end up recycling (which is not an option because the waiting list is about 2 years long for those reentering the program!). I know we start pharm sometime in January and would like to know what to expect. thanks in advance!

HI luv4nursing-

The math is actually quite easy once you get through all of the decimals and ratios etc... (high school math). There are only a few ways to calculate and all I can say is practice, practice practice. Also, we had to make flashcards of all of the conversions we had to learn in the very beginning...best thing I was told to do. Carry them with you wherever you go. If you're at a stoplight in your car, bust them out and quiz yourself. Anytime you have a few seconds or more, look at them, they will become so imbedded in your brain you will be very comfortable with them. They are the foundation to calculating the meds. Good luck, you can do it!!! ------------SissyK

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hi, luv4nursing :balloons:

Congrats for coming this far. I just graduated myself, and know its tuff. I too stressed all the way. I have a little help for you w/ the math. A good friend of mine could not get it for anything, until I convinced her to use my method (this after several instructors gave us several versions for figuring dosage.....talk about confusion). If you can just remember : D

---- x V =dose

H

This means: "desired" (whats ordered), over what you "have" available, times "volume" (which is per ? mg, ml, etc)

It was our experience that whatever the problem, this method always worked. I take it you are only in Pharm 1? It gets a little more complicated in Pharm 2 and 3. (we had all 3 where I went) Practice w/ this, I hope you understand better. Please let me know if I helped. If I can help any further, you are welcome :balloons: to email me. Good Luck, I am sure you can do it.

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sorry, the formula was suppose to be:

D

------ X V

H

I hope this one makes more sense

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