Can I become a nurse if I'm not great at math?

[dolphincatch]

In the future, I hope to be a nurse but right now I'm finishing a nine month medical assistant program. The math is fairly easy because there's no algebra. One of my instructors is a doctor and he said I better become great at math otherwise there's no chance of me ever becoming a nurse. I'm great at anatomy/physiology, science, and anything not involving math. Whenver I'm being taught math, I just can't understand it no matter how many times people teach me. This makes me feel very sad because all my life, all I've ever wanted was to become a nurse but the reality is that if I don't become proficient then it will never happen. Does anyone have any advice for me?

[nekozuki, LPN]

Oh, man. I stayed out of school for a decade because of a crippling fear of math, OP. I feel your pain.

Thankfully, you really don't need "math" beyond basic arithmetic until you transition from ASN to BSN. I have dyscalculia (which affects more than math), and managed to get through the math portions of LPN school relatively easy. For my ASN, I only needed to complete a developmental math course to get me to college level. Math difficulty is a widespread problem, so don't worry; many colleges have adapted to the variety of ways in which people learn.

When the time comes for you to have to tackle the scary stuff, just take some classes at your local community college. I was able to take mine in a lab where I could work at my own pace, wear noise-canceling headphones and have one of the circulating professors stop by and assist me if need be. I get extra time and a calculator (although I choose not to use the calculator, some do). They even offered different ways of completing the course: I could technically fail the final and still pass so long as I had successfully performed a series of tests and assignments to measure my comprehension of the subject chapter by chapter throughout the semester.

There are a lot of really amazing techniques that can help you adjust to higher level math, so don't count yourself out! Heck, I had an incredible professor teach me how to build narratives around my math problems, and another taught me to turn formulas into songs so I could remember them (memorization without understanding, alas).

[Kuriin, BSN, RN]

Honestly, the math that's "med math" is kind of different than what you would expect. It's easy once you get it down. You just need to know math for when you take statistics (not really, but you kind of do).

[KendraZab-Pina]

Nice to know this because i am 47 and going for nursing. I just got into a program but found out i had to take college math after app my pre-req's were already done and i am struggling with Order of Operations and Rules of Exponents. I have to pass this class and the Hesi to get into the program. I am so stressed.

[jtboy29]

Med Math requires Dosage Calculations, IV Flow Rates and IV Drip Rate calculations are examples of it. I was never good in math however; getting the hang of med math with dosage calculations, IV flow rates and IV drip rates and knowing the formulas and by practice my math skills have become better. Conversions are a must too in dosage calculations. If you would like to get some practice in with med math I suggest purchasing a Dosage Calculations book and start practicing questions. Practice really does get your better.

[jwilson722]

If you get a cognitive therapist they can make the impossible things in your mind (like I can't possibly be a nurse) and make them possible. I have one now and I haven't started therapy but I really suggest if you have doubts whether or not you can overcome adhd even and go to school get one of these types of therapists. Good luck!

[Neo Soldier, BSN, RN]

If you took chemistry, then you have all the math you need. It's really just dimensional analysis. I am terrible at math and I graduated from nursing school.