Caring MA in need of guidance

hearts895, RN BSN · Apr 5, 2010

I have been in the clinical field for 8 years now. I started off as a surgical tech and later finished with my MA. I have worked for several doc practices and really never felt like I was working to my full potential. So, I decided to go back to college in pursuit of getting my RN. The only problem is, is that I placed in remedial math according to the placement exam. Therefore, it puts me taking two learning support math classes before I am able to take my needed College Algebra course. You guys...these classes are hard and I consider myself to be above average intelligence. I'm just getting really discouraged. I see all these young girls fresh out of high school being accepted into the nursing program left and right while I'm struggling with my tudor trying to pass (for the second time I might add) this Elementary Alegebra.
I am lucky right now to have an excellent job with a leading EMR Co. responsible for training and implementation, but I miss my patients.... I miss being in the action so much and have wanted to be a "real nurse" for so long. I want nothing more than to be able to pass these classes and obtain my degree, but the more I try the harder it gets.
Any advice??? I know that nothing worth having is easy to obtain, I just don't want to spend 5 more years trying to work at something that will never come to fruition. I worry that even though I bust my hump getting through the classes that I might not ever get accepted into the nursing program....
What should I do???

My heart goes out to you :redpinkhe In a way, I have been there for awhile myself. For a variety of reasons (beyond my control) it has taken me awhile to get accepted to nursing school. Just like you, I watched as people younger than me got in before I did. I worked hard and it finally paid off, but there were times when the light at the end of tunnel seem too far away. As a math & sciences tutor, I often tutored people like you - bright, caring people who were held back from the nursing program by stupid math classes. Its frustrating!

Some things to think about:

1st, is this the only nursing school you can apply to? There is more than likely a way you can find a school that doesn't have these stupid math requirements. Could you try a round-about way to an RN like doing a LPN program, then doing an LPN-RN program, and if you wanted, later doing an RN-BSN. LPN programs usually have less of the non-essential pre-reqs that can get in the way of getting in as fast as possible.

At the very least, look into all the schools in your area. Even if they have more pre-reqs, maybe try for those programs that have different pre-reqs instead of having math as a pre-req, since that seems to be a tough subject for you. For instance, the N.S that accepted me didn't require math at all - but it did require a specific Nutrition course. Its not an easy course, but since I'm better at science than any other subject I'm ok with it as a pre-req and it didn't keep me from being accepted.

2nd: If this is your only option for a N.S., try to have faith. With hard work you can make it. I know how it feels to feel so far from the goal, but trust me, you will get there. Does this N.S. give extra points for having experience in the medical field? If they do, you may have a very good chance of getting into the program. Another thing is that if you do well in your science pre-reqs you will have a strong chance of getting in despite the math grades. Most N.S. look more critically at science pre-req grades than they do with other classes like math.

Above all, try to have faith! Good luck - I'm pulling for you!!! :hug:

firstaiddave908 · Apr 6, 2010

I hear ya Aprilma2rn I am a current medical assistant and I have the same passion (hope passion is spelled right) as you do to become an RN. Good luck I'm a current nursing student took a semster off but I'll be back soon.

DMSEVO8 · Apr 6, 2010

Usually, college algebra was not required for the school I'll be attending, but at least intermediate algebra was required. I know most school focuses on the main science course but, I think having a good math background should give you better understanding of certain aspects of measurements and some sort of metric reading.

I think you should stick to it. Go to the tutoring lab and make sure you fully understand the things you learned and keep on practicing. Math is just about practice, it isn't like other subject like Microbio, AP one, AP two etc..

I know you have mentioned you are above average intelligence. I don't want to be rude but, any person with above average intelligence should to fine in any college level math. College math as you mentioned (College algebra, Trig, Calc, Stats etc..) Sometimes you shouldn't hurry too much to be where you want to be. I think the most important thing is to know the reality of your situation.

But, if you really want to pursue a career as RN you have to realize it isn't easy. Take me for example, it took be almost 1.5 yrs to even apply for clinical for my school. These prereqs wasn't easy for me either. I came back to college after 10 yrs and I couldn't get the hang of studying.

Well, I hope you get to where you want to be. Good luck and don't give up.

allnurses Guide · Apr 6, 2010

April, I can so relate to what you are saying, and I feel for you too. After being in nursing since I was 19 (I'm 53 now you do the math-oops I kid you :)) I have seen people come in from every prior career imaginable, every age, every talent level, every personality.

The simple truth is that if you have a burning desire to do something, it isn't likely to go away because discouraging thoughts plague you when you start to take some concrete steps in that direction. If you take some time to read some of the stories here, you'll find brilliant young 18 year olds zipping through school to be not the norm. Some of the stories about the road behind, written by recently licensed nurses will make you cry, to be sure. You'll need to focus your energy on your journey, and realize that what a younger person has in recent familiarity with classroom math, you may make up for in depth, life experience, and familiarity with patients and the medical setting. We all have something to offer.

It sounds like you are getting the help you need at this point in terms of a tutor. Do not feel bad about that! Just do your best and put the next foot forward, then the next and the next.

Try to remember that though this remedial math issue is looming very large at the moment, it's part of learning to be a nurse, and you can be a great nurse even if you are not a whiz at math! If you choose to, I think you'll find allnurses.com to be a great source to go to for questions, fears you may have, even concrete advice and direction when you are stumped somewhere along the way in your classwork.

We don't usually give people the answers to their homework dilemmas, but many people know the right questions to ask you, or the right resources to guide you to find your own solutions. You can make friends and have an online support group and cheering section. I wish it had been around when I was new. Best of luck to you as you pursue your dream of becoming a nurse. :nurse:

aprilma2rn · Apr 6, 2010

Maria,

I know what you mean about it being difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel sometimes. There are really only 2 nursing schools in the area that offer the ASN program...and they are both still 30 plus miles from me. They both require you either take College Algebra or Math Modeling. I wish I could find a school near me like yours that only required you to take a nutrition course. Was that at an online school?

I'm not sure if either of the school near me offer credits for prior medical expierence. However, that I will definetly check into since you mentioned it?

Thank you so much for the encouragement and sharing your personal story....it gives me renewed hope.

:yeah:

aprilma2rn · Apr 6, 2010

Nursel56,

You are correct about my burning desire for this job. I have a great job now and the money is better than I've ever made as an MA, CST or an RN for that matter. But, it's not about the money. I still just feel like I'm missing out. When I hear my nurse friends talk about the gunshot victim they treated today and how gruesome surgery was...I'm so jelous of them. I know it's the only career for me.

I am glad that I came across this site the other day while searching for other school alternatives. I've already gotten a lot of support and great feedback that I appreciate very much.

:lol2:

Junebugfairy · Apr 6, 2010

i don't want to be rude but, any person with above average intelligence should to fine in any college level math. college math as you mentioned (college algebra, trig, calc, stats etc..)

i thought general and developmental psychology were required for nursing school?

i am of above average iq, mensa level, but i also happen to have a math related learning disability.

i cannot do algebra to save my life, but i can do nursing math and conversions, geometry, as well as trig and calculus.

in psychology we learned that people with above average intelligence have their strengths and weaknesses, much like anyone else, but an 'above average' iq may cause an assumption that i/we cannot have a weakness.

i have a 4.0 in nursing school, but darnit i cannot do alegebra. go figure. i passed my nursing med calculations test 100% on the first try, but i will be darned if i can figure out lines.

keep trying aprilma3rn!

i ended up with b's in algebra, but i did have disability services, and i went to tutoring constantly. i practiced mountains of problems.

aprilma2rn · Apr 6, 2010

DMSEV08,

Thank you... you are very right about having realistic expectations toward the situation. Equally as important and as you mentioned you can't rush where you're supposed to be. I think now that I've switched jobs and I'm working from home that I might be able to tackle it with a different, clearer approach. Who knows, that might make all the difference in the world in how I'm able to retain those tricky mathmatical equations.

Thanks again!

aprilma2rn · Apr 6, 2010

Maria,

I know what you mean about it being difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel sometimes. There are really only 2 nursing schools in the area that offer the ASN program...and they are both still 30 plus miles from me. They both require you either take College Algebra or Math Modeling. I wish I could find a school near me like yours that only required you to take a nutrition course. Was that at an online school?

I'm not sure if either of the school near me offer credits for prior medical expierence. However, that I will definetly check into since you mentioned it?

Thank you so much for the encouragement and sharing your personal story....it gives me renewed hope.

aprilma2rn · Apr 6, 2010

I know exactly what you mean! I score far above average in all of my other courses, except for math. I have no problem doing my conversions or any other math that relates to my daily job functions, but try and teach me to do algebraic equations and forget it. It's like my brain turns off when I'm trying to learn that stuff.

You go girl!!! You sound like you put in tons of extra work to battle through your learning difficulties....but you deserve it and earned it! Congrats!