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Discussion

Anyone having trouble with math?

Hi! One of the prereqs is college algebra. I am starting to pursue

an LPN program and I have not been in school since college. I am 38.

My point is when I was in highschool and college I stunk at math. In fact

I was in basic math 3 years in H.S. and struggled with it.

How in the world to I place into college level algebra when adding fractions

is a new thing for me? I am a long way from college level algebra. Any

suggestions? Should I self teach myself enough to place in a higher level

math or should I take refresher courses (which there would be many) so

I can take the test and get in to the required program. Any advice? Are

there any websites geared toward this that anyone knows about.

Thanks Everyone :idea: nsnina

Featured Replies

Nina, if you are already in college there are math tutors galore. You will have to take a placement exam most likely and if you aren't up to math snuff you will be placed in a remedial math course.

Personally, I couldn't teach myself math. I don't shine at it but I do eventually get it - after someone shows me the steps. I never look at a problem and say "AHA!" I need a human to guide me.

Oh my, college algebra. I was in elementary algebra and couldnt do it so I dropped out. Dont matter because after reviewing my transcripts they said I had all the math I needed. Algebra is like A&P a foreign language to me, never could get it, not to mention when you will ever use it but thats another story.

How long before you plan to apply? If you struggle with math and have time to take the refresher courses, I suggest doing that. If you are going to apply right away and need the math, then I'd sign up, get a study guide and spend A LOT of time with a tutor!

Good luck!!

I am HORRIBLE at math, I MEAN HORRIBLE. For years and years I just thought I was an idiot. Flunked math in high school, and college. Years later, when I decided to go to nursing school, I was scared to death. I went to the academic advisor right off the bat, and said, 'I really want to get into nursing school, but I have a looooong history of failing math."

So there I was, 30 years old, and those wonderful people in the advisor's office said 'Well, hey, let's test you.'

So they did. And it turned out that I have dyscalculia. Like dyslexia but with numbers. A math processing learning disability. I was so relieved that there was a real name for my math problem. So after that, I got heaps of help. Registered with the Disabled Students office and got accomodations and waivers for some classes.

Maybe you also have a math processing disability. Maybe get tested!

One more word...

Now that I am an RN, I ALWAYS check my orders with a another nurse to make sure that my little peanut brain is processing numbers correctly. Plus, after time, you get to be familiar with doses and come to know what meds should be in what doses. But I'm always vigilant about having someone check new orders with me.

Hope this helps! Good Luck!

  • Experts

unless your school is teaching something different than other schools you need to have a knowledge of what is taught in basic and intermediate algebra and geometry to get into college algebra. college algebra along with trigonometry is usually a pre-requisite course for calculus.

i suggest that if you think you can't handle fractions that you start with either a basic remedial math class or pre-algebra and start working your way up the sequence. pre-algebra-->beginning algebra-->intermediate algebra-->geometry. that way you'll have a good foundation going into college algebra. math is all about doing the homework problems. working problems is how you learn this stuff. intermediate algebra is the same as beginning algebra just kicked up a notch with bigger terms (more x's and y's). i don't understand your school's reason for requiring college algebra for an lpn program. basic algebra is all that is needed to perform medication calculations. so, i'm guessing it is something they use to weed out the less intelligent. if i were you and i wanted the lpn badly enough i'd take the math very seriously and work very hard at conquering it.

if you want to see what you can do, check out www.math.com and link into basic math first and see if you can get through some of the sample problems. you can also link into basic algebra and other maths there as well. there are instructions here https://allnurses.com/forums/f205/relevant-math-review-150921.html#post1585715 on how to use the interact math site. you can go in and actually work on math problems there. the program gives you the correct answers and will show you how to work a problem if you ask it. you have to chose a math textbook, however, to get into banks of math problems. the site is free.

NsNina, we are in the same boat. I am 37 and am preparing to write a preadmission exam in June for a part-time LPN program. The test is four hours and consists of math, english essay, chemistry and biology. Like yourself, math is a subject I have not taken since grade 10 and even then did not excel in it.

So what I have been doing for the past month is studying basic math from two amazing books I ordered from amazon:

- math smart by Marcia Lerner

- barron's math the easy way

both these books cover basic math right from addition and subtraction all the way to algebra and geometry. For the first time in my life I feel like I am becoming a Math Geek and it feels great *grins*.

Best of luck,

kidsndog

  • Experts

Here is the link to the "math" thread:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f198/math-help-links-120539.html

I agree w/Daytonite--College Algebra is a little much for nursing school. I should think, @ most, Intermediate Algebra would suffice. What I use most is ratios and plugging #s into a formula.

An example: I have a baby that weighs 3475gms (3.475Kg). I need to give a medication where the recommended dose is 100mg/kg. 3.475 is to "x" = 100 is to 1.

What you do on the job is not that hard, and you do it over and over again. You'll be able to do it in your sleep.

I also think Meerkat has a good idea. Go to the counseling office and check that out!

  • Author

:bowingpur :bowingpur THANK YOU EVERYONE! I think I'll take everyone's advice. I'll

brush up a little, take the placement test see what happens. I will take

remedial courses if need be. I bought Algebra for Dummies:confused: a few other

books too. I'll do whatever it takes. My LPN program doesn't start until

next Feb. 07 Hopefully I should be good by then. I am so happy I have found this web site. Everyone is awsome and helpful. Thanks again!:1luvu:

Dont pysch yourself out too much. I also was horrible at math in high school, and hadn't taken any math in 17 years (I'm 34). My first class back last semester was Intro to Algebra. I was really really dreading it and was hoping to pull at least a C. To my HUGE surprise - I was good at it, and even ended up really enjoying the class! My instructor said that Algebra is one of those subjects that can be easier for an adult mind to grasp, and that since you tend to look at things more logically as an adult it can be easier than in high school.

I finished the class with 105% - I had done some extra credit in case I did poorly on the final. My "C" ended up being a solid "A"! :-)

The adults in my class that did not do well had the following things in common: did not attend all classes, did not do all homework or tried to do it right before class time, and did not review before coming to class (we had a quiz every week). I was at every class session, did my homework right away, and then did extra problems and went over my homework the day of the next class to be sure I remembered it. I know that's why I did so well in the class.

Good luck,

Kathi

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