Did you ever think "Can I really do this"

Music in My Heart · Jun 12, 2009

To your question - no, I've never thought that. I have a lot of self-confidence and certainty that I can do whatever it is that I set my mind to -- if I work hard enough and long enough. I believe that's true for the vast majority of people.

I think it's highly likely that you can do it but you're going to have to catch up on the things that you missed early on. I had to. Now I'm 45 and about to graduate from nursing school. I'm a bit late into the game but so be it.

I want to tell you about a physician that I met recently. She's a resident at a highly touted family practice residency. She's quite good and well respected. I happened across her biography and was amazed to see that she was a high school drop out who took many years to get her life on track. I don't know the details of her story but from HS drop out to MD is pretty inspiring to me. I'm certain that she had to work very hard to make up for the deficits from her primary education but she did.

I'm sure that if you are sufficiently motivated to pursue your ambitions then you can do as this lady did and overcome a lousy start.

Every time you find yourself thinking, "Can I do this?" respond immediately with a resounding, "Yes, I can."

Busia · Jun 12, 2009

Another suggestion- if your college offers any kind of free tutoring (and I believe most do, I know mine does) USE it! Not only will the extra studying time with the tutor be beneficial, but often having it explained in different ways by different people (teacher and tutor for example) can really help things click. Good l uck to you! I struggle with math too.

Tonyapate · Jun 12, 2009

I want to thank each of you for the great advice and encouragment. I am so thankful to have found this site. I will keep a positive mind set. I can and will do this! through prayer, determintaion, preservation and dedication. Thanks again for the honesty and great advice!:lvan:

Tonyapate · Jun 12, 2009

I am 27 - almost 28 and graduated high school and I am having a terrible time with fractions right now. I took algebra and geometry in high school and looking at it now, its like I slept all thru class so a I am learning it all over again. I feel for you, cause I am in the same boat. I was a wild one back in the day and most of high school is a blur.....so I don't know how I graduated. I would study those things heavily and take a Math class in CC, I think I am going to do the same thing.

I am learning that it is not that hard. It is just memorizing what steps go with what problem. There are just a lot of steps to each type of mathmatical problem. If I could just learn, memorize and retain these steps I think I'd be fine. Since where in the same boat lets start paddling and get the Heck outta here! ...lol.... I was checking diffirent post today to find out one of the best study books that really broke it down. I found one called "Algebra Demystified" Its got plenty of fractions in it as well as algebra and its the best book I have found. I bought it at hastings but see if you can't find one of these books. I have tried painless algebra, cliff study solver, etc.. but this one is by far the best book I have found that really breaks it down for you. God bless!

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Jun 12, 2009

You remind me a bit of myself. I was pretty terrified when I started pre-nursing classes. I was just as terrified my first semester of nursing school. If not for allnurses, I would have dropped out because I just didn't believe I could do this. Stick around, allnurses is a good place.

Looking back, I was (so-called) home-schooled for much of my school age years and never learned core school subjects like multiplication and grammar. It left me with a shaky feeling like I was an impostor and had no business enrolling in college. Now I'm graduating from nursing school in one semester. I have a 4.0 GPA in nursing school. I was terrified of math (like you), yet I have never missed a single math problem during nursing school. I share all of this so you can hear how others have felt like you do now and have gone on to be successful.

Here's a quote I like that seems relevant to this situation:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do.
http://thinkexist.com/quotes/marianne_williamson/

It's a bit ethereal and new-agey, but I like this quote. Good luck!

boggle, ASN, RN · Jun 12, 2009

Most colleges, especially community colleges, have resource/ tutoring in math and english departments. At my school, this extra help was free. One tutor told me the college couldn't succeed unless it's students did, so help was always available.

Regarding math, most of the calculations you do in nursing are the same calculations you do every day as you go about your life. Just think of the calculating you do when dividing or multiplying a recipe, or deciding which size package of paper towels is the best bargain. In nursing, you just are using scary medication names and different units of measure. You can do it! You'll find you do the same type of calculations over and over.

A pocket speller is a great idea for common english words. You can get an electronic one for less than $20 at the stationery supply stores. If you are high tech, you can use a pda or an i-phone or the like, and can down load a medical speller onto it.

Good luck to you.

karenrussell_rn · Jun 12, 2009

Tonya,

I applaud you for the accomplishments you've made thus far. I am sure you have been an inspiration to a lot of other women!

When I was in nursing school, I often felt like I couldn't or wouldn't be successful. One day, I had an "aha moment" where I realized that EVERY NURSE in the world had walked on the very path that I'm on now!! Once I had that realization, I would pull on that thought for strength. You have overcome some tremendous obstacles and I am confident that you will tackle this one as well! Good luck to you!!

oslogirl · Jun 12, 2009

Hi. I will try to encourage you with my story. I did not attend high school. At all. 7th grade education. That's all. Was homeless; abandoned by both parents. Became a single mom to a beautiful little girl at 19. I obtained my GED at the age of 22. Then went on to community college to take my nsg prereqs. I was also terrified of math, so I worked like hell till I understood it. The college algebra teacher told me I was a "smart cookie". Boy, did that feel good! Went on to graduate Magna from a prestigious university. I don't consider myself super smart, or even gifted,. I just worked harder than most and kept focused on my goals. Good luck to you!

Tonyapate · Jun 12, 2009

You remind me a bit of myself. I was pretty terrified when I started pre-nursing classes. I was just as terrified my first semester of nursing school. If not for allnurses, I would have dropped out because I just didn't believe I could do this. Stick around, allnurses is a good place.
Looking back, I was (so-called) home-schooled for much of my school age years and never learned core school subjects like multiplication and grammar. It left me with a shaky feeling like I was an impostor and had no business enrolling in college. Now I'm graduating from nursing school in one semester. I have a 4.0 GPA in nursing school. I was terrified of math (like you), yet I have never missed a single math problem during nursing school. I share all of this so you can hear how others have felt like you do now and have gone on to be successful.
Here's a quote I like that seems relevant to this situation:
It's a bit ethereal and new-agey, but I like this quote. Good luck!

Very, Very beautiful quote. I copied and pasted it onto my computer:nuke:. Thanks for sharing.

Tonyapate · Jun 12, 2009

Most colleges, especially community colleges, have resource/ tutoring in math and english departments. At my school, this extra help was free. One tutor told me the college couldn't succeed unless it's students did, so help was always available.
Regarding math, most of the calculations you do in nursing are the same calculations you do every day as you go about your life. Just think of the calculating you do when dividing or multiplying a recipe, or deciding which size package of paper towels is the best bargain. In nursing, you just are using scary medication names and different units of measure. You can do it! You'll find you do the same type of calculations over and over.
A pocket speller is a great idea for common english words. You can get an electronic one for less than $20 at the stationery supply stores. If you are high tech, you can use a pda or an i-phone or the like, and can down load a medical speller onto it.
Good luck to you.

I had no idea a portable spell checker was even invented...lol.. I'll check into this. Thanks for the tip.

Tonyapate · Jun 12, 2009

Thank you Guys so much!!!!! Very kind people on here.

letarn2b · Jun 12, 2009

I know how you feel. I never thought I would make it through my pre reqs let alone the math.I always had in my head that i could not master math and it was too dificult for me.I had to to put in extra extra time to come out with b's.I have it in my head that im I will conquer this ,I have made it this far.