Embarrassed to even post this.

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

Published

I'm still on the fence about enrolling in the lpn program and the main thing that is holding me back is the math. From my research my program is 1yr long at a Vo Tech type school and you don't need pre required classes to start. This is something ill need to take a loan out for so I need to make sure I can do this. Now for the embarrassing part.....

When I was in high school I had a lot of trouble with math and they put me in the "slower math classes" I'm not sure the correct term for it but needless to say I learned nothing there because my teacher would hand me her grade book and class work and I would grade papers for her and she would give me a grade that way. She did this with a lot of students...she never got up and taught class. Here is what I do know.. Addition..subtraction...multiplication and division. Long division is tricky for me but I'm working on that.

I'm willing to learn but I want to make sure that it is something I will be able to learn and not fail at because these loans aren't cheap. I was reading about lab values and I was completely lost!

I guess I'm just looking for advice if you all that have been through it think i can get through the program or if I'm just too dumb and should try. Feel free to let me know if I'm not smart enough...I need honest feedback. Thanks :)

Specializes in Emergency Department.

So far, I've been exposed to both Dimensional analysis and the Ratio-Proportion methods. Although I can do both, I find that I much prefer the Ratio-Proportion method. It may mean that I have to do a couple more conversions or steps, but I'm very accurate with this method. It basically just forces me to double check my math to ensure that I've got the correct values plugged in and that I've arrived at the correct result.

Med Math is really just very basic algebra operations and conversions from one unit to another. As already stated, the math required for the prerequisite courses is usually a bit more difficult than what's actually required for Nursing Programs.

Take a look at Khan Academy and some other resources that make math easy. You don't have to like math, just understand it enough to get things done.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When I entered nursing school I thought everyone should be able to do basic calculations and have somewhat good math reasoning capabilities for patient safety purposes. However, some of the best students were not great at math by any means. But what did make them great is that they knew their limitations, worked on their weaknesses and knew when to ask for help. I am a believer that you can make it through and succeed with these qualities.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It's not that bad. I too had (have) math phobia. Did terrible at it in HS, avoided it like the plague in college. Now, at 36, I just completed my first trimester of an LPN program. The math in my drug calc *was* hard for me. But it wasn't actually that hard in reality. It was my mind-set that made it difficult. You just need to fight it out with your book, be prepare to work harder than others to get by, and use extra resources. For example, I had to get a book on GED math. It really helped. I got through the class and feel stronger for it. It was the class that scared me the most, but it was my fear that impaired me more than the actual material. I say go for it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I also did not consider math a strong subject for me. I ordered Davis's Basic Math Review for Nurses, and it is a great book! It begins very basic and will take you through basic math skills to conversions. This book has the step-by-step solutions. If this program is really something you want, do not let math stop you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have always been weak in math and had pretty much the same experience with it in HS as OP. The thought that I couldn't do it kept me from a lot of things, including thinking about Nursing, which I really wanted to do. Fast forward many many years and I have taken the 090 beginning and intermediate algebra classes many times over the years, trying to work up to College Algebra. Unfortunately, when it comes to algebra it is a use it or lose it proposition for most of us. I got As in the dummy algebra classes through a of hard work and a few tears, but life would interfere with moving on to college algebra, and then I would have to start from scratch the next time I got the yankering to go for it again. So there I am in retirement years, ready to tackle it again and find out all my school! All my school requires is the Beginning Algebra 090 class within the last 5 years for a prereq and then the Pharmacy Calculations class. So I take the Algebra class (for the third time!!!), and my professor was amazing! And what a blessing, he is teaching the Pharmacy calculations class at another school (more than one hour away across the city) the very next semester. Oh H Yes, I drove over there to take the class from him - I knew I was getting into Nursing school in the following semester. He showed us the ratio method, and we were allowed to use any method we wanted to on the test, but he only TAUGHT dimensional analysis. I was so happy it made sense, I learned it and felt secure with it. Passed every math test in nursing school with no trouble. I would say to OP just get someone to explain the metric system to you and do many many conversions. That will pay of big time. Make sure you understand it too. OP you can do this!! Get tutoring if you need to, do all of your homework and then some (there are pharm practice sites on line - some better than others - school should have access to one of them). The math in nursing is not too difficult at all and you will do fine. NO ONE flunked because of the math and many were terrified of it.

Oh yeah, I am working on my BSN now and have even passed Statistics!!! Was terrified of that one too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Start with Barron's reference books Math the Easy Way and Algebra the Easy Way. Are quick and easy review books. Check out the free math tutorials available on you-tube. Once you've reviewed then you can see where you place for school. Try to sign up for a good teacher, one that you can understand. A lot of universities use foreign TA's who have heavy accents and are hard to understand. Buy the supplemental "solutions" manual of the math book on amazon or Barnes & Noble. This gives you the step by step process of how one reaches the right answer so you don't waste hours only coming up with the wrong answer. Lastly you have to practice, you have to do the homework, it is the repetition of practice that helps you pass the tests. Without this you most people won't do well in math. IT is not a subject where you can just wing it at least not for most people!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I feel so much better reading everyone story! It has gave me much needed confidence that I needed to follow through with my hope to get into nursing.

Thank you everyone!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'd like to put in a plug for dimensional analysis. I had to learn it from scratch and did using youtube videos, but once you get the hang of it, there are no formulas and no ratios. It is all simple multiplication then division. I had not had a math class since high school in 1983 and got an A on all of my nurse math tests. You can do this!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I second oangi's recommendation. I just saw a segment on 60 Minutes last night featuring Kahn Academy and it looks great!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I also did not consider math a strong subject for me. I ordered Davis's Basic Math Review for Nurses, and it is a great book! It begins very basic and will take you through basic math skills to conversions. This book has the step-by-step solutions. If this program is really something you want, do not let math stop you!

^ This sounds like a good strategy. I was going to say get a GED math review book, and learn the factor-label (dimensional analysis) method, and also the basic english-metric and metric-english units conversions. That nursing math book might be one-stop shopping for you, though.

The thing to remember about math is that it is a system. It always works the same way. Just learn the rules of it and it all works the same way, forever. Spend the time to pick through it and do lots of problems. Most people that I know who had probs with high school math just didn't put the time in and didn't do the homework. Remember, once you figure it out, it never changes. That should make it less scary. lol

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I second oangi's recommendation. I just saw a segment on 60 Minutes last night featuring Kahn Academy and it looks great!

Kahn Academy is simply amazing. It should give you the skills and confidence you are looking for. Best wishes!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am so glad you had enough courage to post the truth! Don't be embarrassed! Everyone learns at different levels! I was so behind in math that all during high-school I had to keep re-taking pre-algebra. I couldn't stand math and was horrible at it! It made me so self-conscious when people would talk to me about school because I was afraid they would ask me about math and would find out how behind I was! After I started college and taking my pre-reqs for nursing, I signed up for an Algebra 1 class at my community college. I had an amazing teacher and she was so understanding about my being behind. She helped me with everything and I passed the class with an A! Then the next semester I took Algebra 2 and also got an A! This semester I am taking college algebra (my last math class before nursing school). All I can say is, it is honestly okay if you are not as smart as everyone else. You WILL get there eventually! All you need is hard work and a good attitude! I still have trouble with some things, like long division and I still struggle with my times tables, but we can't let something as small as math keep us from achieving our dream to become a nurse! All it takes is a little effort and time! You can do it!:yes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment