Do I Have What It Takes!!!

Nursing Students General Students

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Hi everyone! Need some advice. I am in an accounting position (for past 13 yrs) but I have always wanted to become a nurse. Problem is I am terrible at Algebra and the only science I have taken was in High School, did ok but I wasn't really trying. The past two yrs this is all I think about I go to work and think how much I WANT to be a nurse. I am just afraid of being a total failure. I also have a very laid back personality, will I be eaten alive if I do make it thru nursing school. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.:uhoh21:

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Specializes in General adult inpatient psychiatry.

Well, most programs have pre-requisites, such as college level algebra, biology, anatomy and physiology, and chemistry to take before you get into nursing school. Maybe you could poke your nose in at a local community college and try a class just to get your feet wet and see if you can handle the course load.

As far as math goes, I think nursing math is pretty practical when you get down to it. It's mainly fractions and proportions.

Good luck!

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I am just afraid of being a total failure.

Me too. I dove in anyway and am in my 8th week. Why not give it a shot?

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I also have a very laid back personality, will I be eaten alive if I do make it thru nursing school. .:uhoh21:

I'm not sure why you think this. I'm pretty laid back also and so far I haven' had any problems.

Do what the other posters suggested, try the pre-reqs and see how they go. Dip your toe in and see how you like it. If it is something you think about all the time then you owe it to yourself to explore the idea.

Good luck!

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Nursing math may have formulas like Algebra, but it is not like Algebra! I stink at it too, but nursing math makes sense to me so I do fine at it, it has a purpose for doing it and I just don't feel that way about Algebra. I never took 1 day of Algebra in HS ( guidance said I didn't need it for college, this was in 1984, my sophomore year) and I struggled to make it through Developmental Studies Algebra in college. I took Prob and & Stats for my college level math and got a B. However, I have passed both my math comp tests with 90% or better, so believe me you can do it!;):twocents:

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

I avoided sciences all my life. I got a "D" in high school algebra in the 70's. I finished a bachelor's in business in '99.

I decided around 2002 to change careers from IT to nursing. I held my breath and started in with the sciences -- ohmigosh!! I got all A's and B's!! It really wasn't "rocket science" after all, lol

As for the math, when I was working on my bachelor's in the late 90's, I had to start from square one -- Basic Math -- and work through College Algebra. I was disappointed when I tested that low in math, but I was given very good advice by a friend's sister who teaches high school math about building a strong foundation before moving on. It helped a LOT!!

Best wishes!! At 52, I will be graduating in mid-May and starting my new career!!!

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Nursing math may have formulas like Algebra, but it is not like Algebra! I stink at it too, but nursing math makes sense to me so I do fine at it, it has a purpose for doing it and I just don't feel that way about Algebra. I never took 1 day of Algebra in HS ( guidance said I didn't need it for college, this was in 1984, my sophomore year) and I struggled to make it through Developmental Studies Algebra in college. I took Prob and & Stats for my college level math and got a B. However, I have passed both my math comp tests with 90% or better, so believe me you can do it!;):twocents:
Exactly!!! I really don't give a poop about "x" or "n"! :p Nursing math does make sense.
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Exactly!!! I really don't give a poop about "x" or "n"! :p Nursing math does make sense.

That is soo true!! To me, X marks the spot for an injection and N=nurse!:bugeyes:

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I do not know if this will be helpful to you or not because I went to school fresh out of high school, but I think I can give some insight. I am a sophomore in Nursing, but I also tutor for a tutoring service where I live. We have a some adults that come there for help with their classes that they are taking in college. They typically do not have problems with anything other than Math, English, and Chemistry. For Math and English and Chemistry, I would suggest to may be take remedials to help refresh your memory. For Biology, there are not usually any problems because it is just a matter of studying. From high school to college, there were only very few things for Biology that I learned in high school. Remedials do put you behind which can cost more money because it will be more semesters. Most colleges offer free tutoring or have special help for Math and English classes, so you might be ok going straight into regular classes. If the college you choose doesn't have free help and you want to avoid going to school longer, look into finding a private tutor or a tutoring service.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I sucked at math and science in high school too, but have made all As and Bs in college. There are a lot of differences in going back to college and majoring in something you really want and paying for it with your own money (or your own loan) from the high school mentality of doing it because you have to, for no reason, or even from early college when for some people their parents foot the bill.

The truth is, if you want it, you will find a way not only to get through it but to make the grades needed to get into nursing school. If you struggle, you will find a way because this is your dream, your choice, your money and your time. You'll get other students to help you. You'll research study skills and improve yours. You'll go to the math lab and get tutoring. Don't be intimidated! The past does not equal the future. I was a horrible student in high school and in my first few years of college straight after high school. I am nearly a 4.0 student now. You can be too!

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Hello,

I went back to school in my late 30's and believe me you are a totally different student as an adult. I was terrible in Math and science in high school, but I started at the community college with Algebra I and then Algebra II and then I tackled Statistics and to my surprise I managed to get all A's. Same with the sciences, I took biology, chemistry, nutrition, o-chem , microbiology, anatomy, and finally physiology. The math in nursing school is basic Algebra, and should not scare you off. The main thing you should really concentrate on in knocking out prereqs is developing good study habits. Those are key to succeeding in nursing school. You can do it!

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