Hi everyone! I had been out of school for a while, so I ended up taking a pre-algebra class, as well as an algebra I & II sequence. I got stuck on geometry in the latter of the two, and ended up withdrawing and taking it in a later semester.
Upon hearing this, an overly opinionated relative of mine took it upon herself to insinuate that perhaps I should look into another major because of how much of nursing involves math.
I have a "dosages and calculations" book and I see almost all of the math in there is proportions, conversions, ratios, fractions and decimals... All of which were covered in my pre-algebra class, and I got an A- for my final grade in that class.
Just wondering, for the sake of my own confidence, if there are any other pre-nursing majors who aren't exactly mathematicians.
I have always had a problem with math, but I think that problem originates with me. I didn't understand math easily, but like anything else, if you study it you'll get it. It's just not as fun as say, chemistry or A&P. I know that math is a big part of nursing, and I want to be a great nurse. I never want mediocrity to play a role in what I do. So I study and practice the math equations and problems every single day. Sometimes I'll just do a few questions to reinforce what I've learned, and some days I'll get through an entire new chapter in my math book (The Nurse, The Math, The Meds).
It's not that I can't do it, it just takes longer for me to learn to do it right. And that's okay. I will take as much time on math as I need. I would venture to guess that you are the same way. So know your weakness, strive to be the best nursing student (and nurse) that you can, and work on it!
I'm horrible at Math- specifically Algebra and the like. I think a lot of my negativity stems from the bad experiences I had during high school, which carried into my college work. When it comes to "real world Math," I'm not bad. It's the Algebra that gets me confused and it takes a minute for me to learn it and actually be able to calculate what needs to be calculated. However, when I've come across nursing problems in Chemistry (I had an amazing Chemistry professor who used real nursing problems to get her calculations across), it wasn't difficult for me, so I'm hoping that will help me as I begin my first semester of nursing school later this month.
If you can mulitiply, divide and move a decimal point, you are capable of succeeding with nursing math ;-) When learning nursing math, seek to understand, not memorize and it will all come together just fine.
Ha, I got a C in stats (which is required for my school) and was one of the first persons accepted for my graduating class. I did exceptionally well in my math classes in high school, which were all honors and advanced. Just something about statistics....it rubbed me the wrong way, I guess. In a nutshell, I don't think you have to be a mathematical genius, just be able to do your dosages, conversions, etc. I think once you're in nursing school, it starts to sink in a lot more because you're actually using what you're being taught.
I was bad at math. Your pre-algebra, knowing dosage and conversions is fine for nursing. Chemistry also uses a lot of math, but I got all A's in chemistry. Chemistry is a lot of conversions but any decent chemistry teacher can teach the most "I hate math" student how to balance equations.
Excellent resource and explained in extremely simple terms: "Math for Meds" By Anna Curren
I used to teach pre - middle school and love when concepts are friendly and explained in simple terms for everyone to comprehend. my classmate and I actually enjoyed completing the entire book twice. Best wishes.
Me too. I struggle with math, but for some reason I love algebra (not geometry)! Took me two semesters to pass stats, but I got an A second time! You may have to work harder and be a little slower than others, but you will get it! It gets easier.
No one hates math more then me!!! It's what kept me from getting into nursing until now. I had to transfer from the community college cuz I took it for the final 3rd time that the school allows.
Last class I needed to move on to chem, stats, micro ughh very frustrating. But I did it!! I passed with an A. I had a great patient teacher & a very nice study group. I took stats the next semester. I was afraid I was going to forget it all lol nope got a B.
I was not letting anything stand in the way!! I start my nursing program next week with pharm & I'm ready!!!!
I know Dr who hate math!! Tell ur relative whatever!!! lol
Specializes in Maternal Child, Home Health, Med/Surg.
I have a love hate relationship with math. I'm good at it, most times(especially equations - that's where I'd get all my points in chem), but I hate doing it lol. At least it's not too terribly difficult.
Just practice practice practice. That's really all any kind of math is
I'm not good at math. I'm 52 and had been out of school for just a little while. :) I started at pre-algebra and worked my way up. I still suck at math.
Math for nursing is not particularly complex. It's basically the same formula's over and over again. My advice is to practice, practice, practice. Before every exam and periodically in between I would get my math stuff out and practice. I kept a "math folder" with all the math packets they would provide us in the program.
A few books that helped were "Kaplains Math for Nurses" and "Dosage Calculations Made Easy."
Our program went over math... but in the end you do it whatever way gets you the right anwer each time whether it be fractional equation, demensional analysis or ratio/proportion. For children it's a little different as you mostly use the "Body Surface Area" method.. Don't even go there right now though. It sounds scary but is very simple and is a matter of memorizing 2 forumulas. All very early algebra. I use the fractional equation method. Must know how to convert to metric and within metric... again very easy. And also several equivalents. (like 1 tsp = 5 mL) Just some memorization.
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my classmate and I actually enjoyed completing the entire book twice. Best wishes.
missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN
869 Posts
I have always had a problem with math, but I think that problem originates with me. I didn't understand math easily, but like anything else, if you study it you'll get it. It's just not as fun as say, chemistry or A&P. I know that math is a big part of nursing, and I want to be a great nurse. I never want mediocrity to play a role in what I do. So I study and practice the math equations and problems every single day. Sometimes I'll just do a few questions to reinforce what I've learned, and some days I'll get through an entire new chapter in my math book (The Nurse, The Math, The Meds).
It's not that I can't do it, it just takes longer for me to learn to do it right. And that's okay. I will take as much time on math as I need. I would venture to guess that you are the same way. So know your weakness, strive to be the best nursing student (and nurse) that you can, and work on it!