Feeling the Pressure

Trauma Columnist · May 24, 2007

Hi and welcome! My palms get sweaty just talking about math! When I went for the BSN I had to take two algebra classes and I think the instructor couldn't really believe that I was a nurse because I was soooo stupid! lol

I gather you are a military spouse? My husband is retired Air Force and believe me it wasn't easy to get thru school moving every two years and repeating classes. I'm gathering you are in GA for some time? At any rate good luck and thanks for your service. (Believe me, I know the sacrifices we make).

navyspouse · May 24, 2007

My hubby is still active but will be retiring in October 2008, so we're here in GA until then. We have talked about moving to another town here in GA, but will probably wait until I'm done with nursing school, September 2009, but will wait on that probably. Our youngest will be a junior in high school by then and although she said lets move, we really don't want to do that to her in her HS years and that close to graduating. Thank you for your service also. We as spouses do make alot of sacrafices but in the end it pays off.

Now Math, ugh, I guess the good thing about it is that I'm taking it now. I would also like to go on and get my BSN, so maybe taking it now is for the best rather than later. I've looked at alot nursing programs at alot of colleges, and it seems I had to pick the only one that requires this much math! My hubby has been wonderful, cause I lean on him to help me out, but I know he gets frustrated with me....lol...He's hoping that very soon the light will turn on and I'll finally see it...lol

Ashalee705 · May 24, 2007

I took statistics online and I had to drop it and take it over in class. I hate math as well and it was really hard for me to try and understand everything without examples, someone explaining it to me, or someone answering my questions when I needed them. It was not for me. Good luck to you and don't give up!

navyspouse · May 24, 2007

Thanks Ashalee for your comments. If I wasn't already 3 weeks into the class I would drop and see if I could get it in class, but I don't think that will work. I agree with you, I have to have examples, someone who can walk me through areas when needed. I've had a previous math-algebra class online and it was nothing like this one. I understand the Alegebra but when they start talking, linear inequalities and problem solving, etc, I get it, but I don't. Oh well I won't give up, Failure is not an option for me!

stpauligirl · May 24, 2007

Hi everyone-
Just wanted to relieve some stress on here since we all seem to be in the same boat, so to speak
I'm currently a pre-nursing student, trying to finish 7 pre-req courses before I apply to the actual nursing program. Currently taking A & P I, no problem, Algebra, hate it, and will start Chemistry and Human Growth and Development in July. These are all my summer classes by the way. In the fall semester, August start time, I will have Micro, A & P II and another Math course, hate it.
The math is killing me. Although most of the solving is coming back to me, been out of HS for 26 years, I still worry that I'm not going to pass the tests. Oh I should say that I 'm doing this Math class online, probably not my wisest choice, should of taken it in class I'm thinking now.
Anyways looking forward to talking with you all.

Math has always been my weakest subject and I outright hated it, too.

My school has this fantastic tutorial program which will prepare you for about any entrance exam in the world, and I used it as a refresher. Check with your Student Services if something similar is availabe to you. Get all the help you can get and then plunge in head first into your math classes/chem classes. You can do it. I did it, got accepted to start nursing school this fall. I had been out of school for many years myself. I am 47. BTW, my husband is active duty Army.

navyspouse · May 25, 2007

First off thanks for your service! Second thanks for your suggestions. My hubby got me the book,"Algebra for dummies" started reading that last night and some things make sense to me the way it's explained in the book. I'm also going to contact the school and get the tutor information and go from there.

My husband even though he's Navy, spent just got back from being deployed to Afghanistan for 15 months (got home in February). He was deployed with the 405th CMA unit out of Utah. Not being familiar with the Army, well lets just say that I'm happy we're Navy now. Thanks again and I wish you the best as you start nursing school this fall. It's so exciting!

stpauligirl · May 25, 2007

First off thanks for your service! Second thanks for your suggestions. My hubby got me the book,"Algebra for dummies" started reading that last night and some things make sense to me the way it's explained in the book. I'm also going to contact the school and get the tutor information and go from there.
My husband even though he's Navy, spent just got back from being deployed to Afghanistan for 15 months (got home in February). He was deployed with the 405th CMA unit out of Utah. Not being familiar with the Army, well lets just say that I'm happy we're Navy now. Thanks again and I wish you the best as you start nursing school this fall. It's so exciting!

Glad your husband came home safe, my husband will be stationed in Little Rock AK until December, he's been gone alot all over the place! So I am basically a single parent. He is able to spend this weekend with us and leaves next week. Two more years to retirement.

Good luck with everything

navyspouse · May 26, 2007

I know what your saying about being a single parent, same here. Hubby's deployment to Afghanistan was his last, he will retire in October of 2008 with 30 in. Not sure how we'll both feel after that, kinda lost I'm sure.

Well I think the light finally went off about math. I now seem to have a better handle on it and all it took was to read and reread a couple of things to help me make sense of it all.

stpauligirl · May 26, 2007

I know what your saying about being a single parent, same here. Hubby's deployment to Afghanistan was his last, he will retire in October of 2008 with 30 in. Not sure how we'll both feel after that, kinda lost I'm sure.
Well I think the light finally went off about math. I now seem to have a better handle on it and all it took was to read and reread a couple of things to help me make sense of it all.

It will be a change to have him around more. It will take adjustment for sure. I have to be very independent without him. I get annoyed if he tries to help too much. Does he have a plan what he wants to do professionally after retirement? My husband is working on getting a teaching degree.

We will probably reverse roles a bit, I will work more and he will spend more time at home. He is a pretty good vacuum operator and has more patience when it comes to house cleaning. I will be glad to turn it over to him I am glad that you feel better about math. You will do better and better the more you do it!

Never hesitate to get help if you need it. Good luck

justme1972 · May 26, 2007

I'm all for online classes, but couldn't imagine taking one that is heavy in Math online. All you have is the book...and for some reason books are giving fewer and fewer examples in them and then the homework assignments and test-bank questions are not the same format.

navyspouse · May 28, 2007

I understand what your saying, I quickly went in and changed my Math in the fall to the classroom versus online. I will say though that the material they are using for this Math class is most helpful, it's just the user, me who has been having the problem getting the light to turn on.