college algebra vs statistics?

caliotter3 · Apr 22, 2011

Neither. Only one or two equations necessary to do drug calculations. Not working with anything where statistics is useful. Basic arithmetic would have been sufficient for the work I do. Now, if I got a different job, that might be a different story. Same as for much of the rest of my education. Beyond my day to day work activities.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 22, 2011

Neither has been useful in my day-to-day practice as a floor nurse. However, many BSN programs require statistics as a prerequisite for the Nursing Research course, and most nursing programs require any college-level math class (such as college algebra). Therefore, taking both courses would be a safe bet toward your future. :)

Saysfaa · Apr 22, 2011

College Algebra. It has nothing to do with which equations are used and everything to do with learning how to think and with learning how to learn. For me, vocabulary is relatively easy and most science concepts are vocabulary. Math is hard. I've learn to stick with it even when I'm totally frustrated, to be much more methodical than I naturally am, to see different kinds of patterns, to build in checks (curbs, margin, whatever your favorite way of refering to that concept), how to find errors. I've learned the value of repitition and the difference between doing homework to get through it or because it was assigned and doing homework to learn from it. I've learned how much difference being tired can make, how to dissipate stress, and how to block distractions and to focus on something that is not easy and that I don't want to do. I've learned how important it is to get to the root of whatever it is I'm not understanding rather than building on a porous foundation.

Statistics seemed to me to be more intuitive and much less mathy somehow.

I don't think this is how it is for everyone.

dudette10, MSN, RN · Apr 22, 2011

I think it depends on your current knowledge level and where you want your career to go.

For med calculations, the algebra is very basic, and I already knew how to do that prior to entering nursing school. College algebra would have been redundant for me.

Statistics helps you understand what the terms mean and will influence your ability to read and understand research studies. If you would like to get into administration or education at some point, statistics would be helpful. When I took research (I'm in a BSN program), a lot of the terms had already been covered in statistics, so I was getting a refresher of sorts for the class.

RKpianoman, APRN · Apr 22, 2011

Statistics has definitely helped me to understand some of the research studies in the research class in my BSN class, and I suppose it will be helpful when I start pursuing graduate degrees. Algebra helped my GPA, but the only math I have use so far in my nursing school has been addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The dosage calculations and such are very simplistic. Bottom line, if you plan to go for a BSN, you should strongly consider both algebra and statistics; if not, just see what the advisors at your chosen school require and follow their advice.

pitaya · Apr 23, 2011

which do you feel has helped you better as a nursing student or actual nurse? some school require one or the other and some require both.

I'm with those who say that neither one helps! Statistics would help if you wanna go into nursing research. But the math you do on the floor and in nursing school is way easier than college algebra and/or statistics!