College Algebra

RHill9919 · Dec 21, 2012

I would suggest taking it. I've been researching different programs in the medical field for a long time and many of them require college algebra. It sounds like you are still in your undergrad?? Many prereq courses require college algebra as the prereq for that course. For example, you need algebra to take physics.

professionalgirl80 · Dec 21, 2012

I would suggest taking it. I've been researching different programs in the medical field for a long time and many of them require college algebra. It sounds like you are still in your undergrad?? Many prereq courses require college algebra as the prereq for that course. For example you need algebra to take physics.[/quote']
I am still on the undergraduate level.

zoe92 · Dec 21, 2012

I took that and stats because my program required it. I say it should help you

rubato, ASN, RN · Dec 21, 2012

Take what is required for your program, then, if you have extra time, yes, college algebra will be helpful. But, more for the next degree than dosage calc. Dosage calc is basic multiplication of fractions, something my son did in 6th grade.

Devon Rex, ADN, BSN · Dec 22, 2012

I agree with rubato... if it's required, yes, take it. However, dosage calculations are very basic compared to college algebra.

This website gives you everything you need to know about dosage calculations.... DosageHelp.com - Helping Nursing Students Learn Dosage Calculations

queserasera, RN · Dec 22, 2012

I skipped college Alg and went right to pre calc. The math is much the same and this way if I want to I can take Calc later on.

Shorty11, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2012

I just finished my second semester in (BSN) nursing program. Honestly, I thought college algebra was harder than learning dosage calculations has been. I personally don't think it is necessary to have taken college algebra to do well on dosage calc. Of course, taking college algebra because it is part of your required circulum or just for your own benefit has its definite advantages, I really don't feel like I have utilized much of what I learned in college algebra in solving dosage calculation problems. I am pretty good at math though and have always taken advanced math classes in college and in high school. Dosage calculation is something you absolutely must master though...it is so important because a mistake in calculation could honestly be the line between helping and causing someone to expire. If you aren't a strong math student, maybe you should take college algebra for the practice alone. If you are decent at math and have had experience taking algebra before, I don't think it is completely necessary. If you have mastered ratio and proportions, simple one or two term algebraic equations, and dimensional analysis, you should be fine with just a review. Dosage calc is more like Introductory Algebra or high school algebra in my opinion. On the other hand, college algebra will help with stats. Stats was not difficult, but having taken college algebra did make stats easier compared to those that had taken only an introductory algebra class. They seemed to struggle more than I did.

Shorty11, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2012

Also you could start learning some basics of dosage calc now. I used "Calculate with Confidence". It isn't probably the greatest textbook out there for learning dosage calc, but it does start from the 'beginning'. It has lots of reviews and practice tests. If you check out some dosage calc books now, you can see what you are in for. Best of luck!

chorkle · Dec 22, 2012

pg80--

College algebra could be helpful, but it depends on where you are coming from--i.e., where you've been.

Algebra will expose you to several modes of conceptual abstract thinking, which could be broadly, but not necessarily specifically, useful.

As someone here has said, Will I need to know the quadratic equation for dosage calculations? Um, no.

Disclaimer--I have not yet been exposed to NS dosage calculations. But I do have some familiarity with dosage calculations, in one's head, on the ambulance. (No time to look at the protocols, and you're supposed to know this, off the top of your head, anyway.)

As Shorty said, ratio & proportions, 1- or 2-term algebraic equations, and dimensional analysis. DA is a fancy term for (originally) chemical equations; its essence is that if you account for all of the units (pints, quarts, liters, grams, mL, etc., & etc.) (yeah, pints & quarts was just to get into the subject--unlikely your pt. will be prescribed a pint of Old Pale Lager) . . OK--if you account for all of these units, canceling out where appropr., you cannot but help to come out with the correct answer. But, it is a subject requiring most of your attn. to understand (for some of us, of course, ALL of ourt attn.).

HTH