Can't get into school because of statistics :(

mirandaaa · May 28, 2015

Have you looked into different nursing programs?

They don't all require statistics.

My school only requires one math course (MATH123 or above) as a pre-requisite and we aren't required to take any more math.

haedis · May 28, 2015

I have looked into other schools, but I'm somewhat limited as my fiance doesn't want to move away. It may be best for me to stay in school taking general courses and applying somewhere else.

Seattlemamalama · May 29, 2015

You might hate this idea but if your desperate it works. This will work only if your applying to a different school than where you took your stats class twice. Get a few copies of your transcript BEFORE the second stats grade is posted to your transcript. Whatever program you apply to won't have the second stats class on record since they would have your old transcript. Take the class again there (other school than the one you started out with). Pray you don't fail a 3rd time.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · May 29, 2015

You either earn the grade required to get in or you don't go to nursing school. That is your "option".

Nursing school is not all that different than med school. You simply have to have minimums on who you allow in. If you cannot understand mathmatics does your future patient have to have their life in the hand of someone who is unable to do a drug calculation? I have SEEN meds come from the pharmacy with jacked up dosages that I caught because I am know that is a HUGE part of the job. If you cannot meet the minimums then you cannot be an RN. It isn't personal.

Sizzline · May 29, 2015

You either earn the grade required to get in or you don't go to nursing school. That is your "option".
Nursing school is not all that different than med school. You simply have to have minimums on who you allow in. If you cannot understand mathmatics does your future patient have to have their life in the hand of someone who is unable to do a drug calculation? I have SEEN meds come from the pharmacy with jacked up dosages that I caught because I am know that is a HUGE part of the job. If you cannot meet the minimums then you cannot be an RN. It isn't personal.

If it was a basic math class, then I would agree with this, but statistics is totally different than taking something like, say, college algebra. I breezed through all the algebras, but statistics was incredibly difficult for me.

I did, ultimately, wind up with an A, but it took a TON of work from me. I was working on it for hours every day, in response to the OP. I watched YouTube videos to help me understand why things were done certain ways, etc. Do you do the homework with the tutor? I would, if you're not, that way they can help you understand how, and more importantly, WHY you do certain things a certain way. I also made flashcards of the formulas and brought them with me everywhere to review them over and over again.

WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 29, 2015

I honestly could not tell you one thing I remember from my statistics class, but I can tell you a lot more about what I learned in college algebra, calculus, etc because I use it almost every day. I was lucky, though, as I got into my nursing program with a C- in statistics.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · May 29, 2015

It might be a good idea to begin exploring a 'Plan B'. Nursing is not for everyone. There are lots of options out there.

jaycam, RN · May 29, 2015

I'm a statistics tutor in my free time, what little I have. It's there a concept in piticular that you are having trouble with? I may be able to point some resources. No one is inherently bad at math. Some people just don't learn it the way it's taught and it's really easy to get fustrated and believe we are bad at it. Once you get it though, it's very rewarding.

WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 29, 2015

No one is inherently bad at math. Some people just don't learn it the way it's taught and it's really easy to get fustrated and believe we are bad at it. Once you get it though, it's very rewarding.

100% agree. I was god-awful at math in high school. If I remember correctly, I failed pre-calculus my senior year. If I told myself in high school that I was a whiz at math in my late 20s I probably wouldn't have believed it. I just found a way to teach myself the concepts, because once I understand the concept there is no problem. Now I pull high As in pretty much every math class I take (except my stats class over 8 years ago) because I find a way to teach it to myself and it generally works.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · May 29, 2015

If you're a self admitted poor student in math, you might want to reconsider nursing. Most programs have rigorous standards for passing med math. You typically have to get 90-100% on your med math or you fail the entire program, regardless of your performance in class or clinicals.

A knowledge of statistics is important for a nurse. How can you evaluate studies and be sure their results are accurate? Do you understand deviation? Probability? This is particularly helpful when you've got to do a paper and support your research.

If you're getting a 68% in Stats and aren't strong in math, I'd be hesitant to tell you to keep going. Especially if you've already utilized tutoring.

I'm not trying to be negative. Just trying to be realistic.

dream'n, BSN, RN · May 30, 2015

Oh statistics was the bane of my existence. HATED it. Only way I survived was with a very smart and patient study group