I'm currently re-taking statistics. It's only 6 weeks and I am not working so that I can focus on it. However, I'm still only getting 68%. I go to tutoring at the school, do all the homework and see my teacher twice a week. I just ... don't get it. And I hate it. And unless I get a B+, I won't be able to get into nursing school.
I almost want to just give up because math isn't for me, although all my other courses are strong, the statistics is really awful. I don't know if I have a math learning disability, but I usually get to the test and panic and can't do anything. I even had a two page cheat sheet for the mid-term and still only got 60%.
I feel depressed because I failed last intake and now I'm thinking I should choose another vocation. Because my school only looks at five courses, I would have to re-take two other courses to raise my gpa enough, and it's embarrassing enough for me that it's taken me three semesters to finish 17 credits!! (Though I have been working as well.)
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.
While there is a rigorous requirement to pass the drug calculation tests in nursing school, and to be able to calculate drug doses correctly, in my experience the calculations didn't involve more than very basic algebra, i.e., ratio and proportion. During clinical prep, when it was necessary to calculate drug dosages, the math required was very basic algebra.
Does your statistics instructor permit students to record the lectures? I found listening to the lectures again at my own pace, while referring to my class notes, extremely helpful.
Ultimately it does not matter if you "use" statistics in your nursing profession. It is REQUIRED to become a nurse. If basket weaving was REQUIRED then it wouldn't matter if you used it. Arguing as to its importance is a totally separate argument. It is required thus the OP must achieve the required grade. If the OP cannot then the OP will not be allowed to complete nursing school and will not have the opportunity to take the NCLEX. Simple.
Ultimately it does not matter if you "use" statistics in your nursing profession. It is REQUIRED to become a nurse. If basket weaving was REQUIRED then it wouldn't matter if you used it. Arguing as to its importance is a totally separate argument. It is required thus the OP must achieve the required grade. If the OP cannot then the OP will not be allowed to complete nursing school and will not have the opportunity to take the NCLEX. Simple.
To my knowledge, not all ADN programs require statistics. Mine didn't. I took statistics for my BSN program, which I bridged to after graduating from my ADN program and passing the NCLEX. My ADN program in particular, had, and still has today, a reputation for turning out very good nurses, who are sought after by area health care facilities.
My program required biostatistics, but then it also required organic and bio chem (which I really struggled with at the time). In retrospect, though, the amount of time, effort, and dedication required to pull the grade that I needed in those classes was comparable to the study habits and dedication required to get through the BSN program. So, in a sense, prepare yourself for the same amount of work/challenge. Also, dosage calc exams occurred every semester throughout the program.
That said, have you tried utilizing khan academy (free, a really good place to start) or you tube? It could just be that your learning style clashes with how it's being taught to you.
I feel your pain. I am currently taking Statistics and I am not doing well at all. I am not good in math and this subject is killing me. I have 1 week left in this quarter and its do or die! I absolutely have to get a A on the final. I am going to do everything in my power to get a A. Its a challenge that I have to meet. I am cheering for you too! I hope you the best and that you pass Statistics with flying colors. I have 84% of exams, 5%attendance,100%homework, 84% on quizzes. I need 80% to pass. I need a A on this coming final!
I deff don't recommend you giving up. I didn't pass my statistics course either and still got into the nursing program of my choice. I deff suggest you look into other nursing programs that don't require it! Good luck
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Don't give up. I know there are a bunch of ADN programs that don't require stats. I'm not great at math but I made it through med dosage. I never had a proper math teacher in high school, they were all coaches. So they would show us the problem & that problem would be on the test or just help us on the test. Now I struggle with math. Stats is the enemy. I tried it once then dropped it.
Not all nursing programs require stats. I only took it recently so that I could achieve my BSN (RN-BSN) and get into grad school. I cannot believe people are advising you to rethink your dream of becoming a nurse! During the program yes you do have to know dosage calculations to move on through each course, but on the job anything beyond basic algebra is pretty much not relevant for nurses. Yes you need to be able to calculate dose rates and things but that does not require statistics. I recommend you keep trying and do what it takes to get a decent grade, if nursing is what you are truly passionate about. Good luck to you!
Don't let ANYONE tell you what you can't do, especially a bunch of strangers. It's in your hands, as most have said not all programs require stats. Keep searching for one that doesn't and/or pull that grade up. Good luck
Stat course doesn't even serve any point in nursing. Only reason BSN and further degrees want you to take it is for your research methodology class it's the truth.
It's the same for every bachelor program. I probably will have to retake it again when i go back for nursing, but feel more confident can do it. Funny thing is so many people couldn't pass statistics in my program that they changed the math to focus more on data collection with number's.
It's a lot of formulas and just have to memorize them the best you can. The derrivitives of the square root was a kick in the pants for me.
Stat course doesn't even serve any point in nursing. Only reason BSN and further degrees want you to take it is for your research methodology class it's the truth.
It's the same for every bachelor program. I probably will have to retake it again when i go back for nursing, but feel more confident can do it. Funny thing is so many people couldn't pass statistics in my program that they changed the math to focus more on data collection with number's.
It's a lot of formulas and just have to memorize them the best you can. The derrivitives of the square root was a kick in the pants for me.
It is not true that a college statistics course doesn't serve any point in nursing, although it is true that one does not use statistics in calculating dosages, as people have pointed out. A good statistics course, apart from being necessary to evaluate nursing/medical research studies, for graduate school, and, with more advanced statistics knowledge, design of research studies, provides one with more knowledge to evaluate the validity of data in general. For example, your boss tells the staff that they are now going to perform xyz procedure in a specified new way, because of such and such data which shows the new way is better because of such and such reasons. With knowledge of an introductory statistics course, one can systematically review existing studies and critique them for their validity, and can refute false claims. When people try to claim that certain "facts" are true, one can look at and question the methodology used to establish those "facts", following basic statistical procedures. One can investigate information told to one, and presented on the internet/media, in a much more informed way.
Basic knowledge of statistics is very useful in everyday life, not just in nursing. Statistics is much more than just memorizing formulas. I can honestly say that the four unit introductory statistics course I took was the most interesting and useful course that I took in all of my years in college. I find it disappointing that your program watered down the more rigorous statistics course because students were finding it hard to pass the class; I think this does students a great disservice. Statistics is a difficult class for many people, requiring a great deal of application, but it is a very valuable class for nurses and other health care professionals. However, one can practice as a bedside nurse without having taken a statistics course, as statistics is not used in computing drug dosages, and, as other people have mentioned, not all nursing programs require statistics.
Susie2310
2,121 Posts
While there is a rigorous requirement to pass the drug calculation tests in nursing school, and to be able to calculate drug doses correctly, in my experience the calculations didn't involve more than very basic algebra, i.e., ratio and proportion. During clinical prep, when it was necessary to calculate drug dosages, the math required was very basic algebra.
Does your statistics instructor permit students to record the lectures? I found listening to the lectures again at my own pace, while referring to my class notes, extremely helpful.