Nursing Students Pre-Nursing
Published May 31, 2007
has anyone ever took college algebra?how hard is it? and would it be helpful towards the lpn pre-entrance exam?
txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN
4,373 Posts
which lpn entrance exam are you talking about ... cause there are several. to tell you the truth i have been a lvn for many years and have survived just fine off of the math i learned in pharm. there is so much in college algebra that does not apply to nursing, as a matter of fact probably about 99% of it has no relevance. but it is a degree requirement many places so you just have to get it over with...
vjhappy
65 Posts
I've taken both the NET and the TEAS. If you get the study guides, you don't need to take College Algebra. Also, you can get self teaching algebra books, if you need extra help (helped me a great deal). I took the course, thinking that it would better prepare me for Statistics, then I found out Statistics is a much easier course.
The only reason to take it is if the program you're applying for requires it. Luckily, a program I didn't expect to apply for required it and I got in!
CritterLover, BSN, RN
929 Posts
the basics of college algebra arn't all that hard, or that different than algebra i or ii, it just expands on them.
[color=#483d8b]
[color=#483d8b]however, there are certain aspects of college algebra that i found difficult.
[color=#483d8b]unlike a previous poster, i found college algebra harder than calculus. in fact, i found the aspects of calculus that required detailed knowledge of college algebra to be harder than the general concepts of calculus.
[color=#483d8b]so i guess it just depends on how you learn, and what kind of background you have :) .
[color=#483d8b]i agree with what others have said: practice, practice, practice. don't fear it, or you will be too nervous to grasp the concepts. if you find you are having a difficult time with it, get help. most colleges/universities have free math tutors.
[color=#483d8b]i honestly can't think of much in nursing that require college algebra, with the possible exception of learning to work with exponents and logs, which are very helpful in understanding chemistry (and some lab values). but you can certainly get by without it.
[color=#483d8b]as for entrence tests, i didn't have to take one to get into nursing school, so i'm not much help there. however, from what i've heard, i think that a solid grasp of algebra i and/or ii would be enough. it wouldn't hurt, though. your best bet would be to get the prep guides/practice tests and see how well you do on them.
Iwannabeababynurse
144 Posts
it is the net pre-entrance exam for lpn. the study guide that i've got is called the net nurse entrance test, the hobet health occupations basic entrance test, the help higher education learning profile study guide.i don't know if that makes a difference or if it helps.
sweetiez
68 Posts
oh boy this makes me nervous!
rnmomtobe2010
1,051 Posts
Never had to take college algebra. My best friend did and she failed it twice. The math I have taken is math for meds. Thankfully the state I am currently in takes and offers that course.
MvbRn, ASN, BSN
348 Posts
At the school I am attending I am currently taking Intermediate Algebra and my teacher said that this class is harder then College Algebra. I guess we will see in the fall when I take the class. Either way good luck.
CuriousMe
2,642 Posts
It's hard to compare names of classes from different schools. College Algebra in your school might not be the same class as College Algebra in mine.
As an example, Intermediate Algebra is the prerequisite for College Algebra (also called pre-calculus) in my school.
So comparing is like comparing Apples and Oranges.
Peace,
Cathie
Darkpk55
164 Posts
I'm doing Algebra 1 and it's confusing if you don't know Pre-Algebra.
If you understand chapter 1 then you can go onto the next chapter. If you don't understand chapter 1 then you won't understand chapter 2.