Go for a nursing degree?

Nurses General Nursing

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Ok,

Well I am a postgrad student taking my last few prereqs before nursing school. I have taken both Chem I & II, both courses were for science majors.

I would agree that you should have algebra under your belt before taking chemistry. Chemistry is very quantitative in nature and a LOT of the work we did was solving problems, problems, and more problems.

Here is the thing though, in TX, the nursing programs usually allow you take chemistry courses geared towards non-science majors or for people who are going into allied health careers. I guess you could say that compared to chemistry courses for science majors or for those going into medical school, it is supposed to be easier.

You REALLY need to go speak, in person, to your future chem professors and get their opinion on it. If they really stress algebra as important, then you want to be comfortable in it before class starts. You do not want to have to learn chem and math at the same time! Good luck and study hard, don't let a fear of numbers erase your dreams. smile.gif

Regards,

Monika

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"Obstacles are those frightening things you see when you take your eyes off the goal."-Hannah Moore

I,m scared to death to go on to my RN in fear that I am not very good at Math, also are there any nurses out there that are over 38 and went back to school after your children have grown? I am taking bio and almost over but someone told me not to take chem unless I have taken algrebra? I was a crisis intervention counsler for 8 yrs liked it but my dream was to be a nurse is ther any hope for this math major wanna be Thanks you all are so GREAT I can only dream of being a RN you all should be so proud!!!!!!!!

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I certainly appreciate anyone's math or science anxiety. In my ADN program a number of years ago, I barely passed microbiology, mostly because I didn't know how to study for it, and wasn't very interested in it. I looked into several BSN completion programs over the years but kept delaying getting into one because of the chemistry, math and science requirements. However, being a procrastinator finally came in handy; I found a BSN program that did not require chemistry or more math (such as algebra)! I took the required statistics course first (got the worst over with) and was able to successfully complete the rest of the program. In fact, we got the same statistics instructor to teach us Graduate Statistics (Data Analysis) when I kept going for my MSN.

I guess what I am saying is, chemistry and algebra are not always part of the requirements to get a BSN. If you have to take one or the other, taking the least class that will meet the requirement is OK as well. You can still be an excellent nurse and not be good in chemistry or math.

All nursing programs are NOT alike and by searching, you will find one that will suit your needs as well as your study style. I was deathly afraid of microbiology and chemistry (these were mandatory for my ADN) but I struggled and made it through thinking that was the end of chemistry. Surprise! The RN-MSN-FNP program I chose to enroll in had MORE chemistry requirements plus the statistics etc. The bottom line is...YOU choose what type of program YOU want. And I wholeheartedly (sp) agree with Kathiej...you can still be a great nurse and not be proficient in all of your courses. I attended Purdue University which has several campuses in Indiana. The campus I attended required Pathophysiology for the ADN but the other campus did not! See what I mean! I chose the campus with Patho because I felt that this was an important course and I enjoy as well as feel it is necessary to understand disease processes in the course of my dealings with patients. But this may not be true for other nurses/nursing students. Don't give up what you have your heart set on. Obstacles are made to be overcome and the gratification at the end of the struggle is sweet...Pursue your goals and make every day special on the way biggrin.gif

i went back to college to pursue nursing at age 33,had two school age children and then became pregnant with my third. i was taking my 2nd semester of a&p when he was born. difficult? yes but with good family support and my own determination i made it through the nursing program and graduated with honors. you will be surprised to see the number of "mature" members in your nursing classes.i think it is great that at 38 you are pursuing your dream. keep your goal in sight and go for it!best of luck!

I am a new grad LPN. I am looking at my 49th birthday in 3 months. I am continuing on for my RN through an ADN progrm and will turn that into a BSN in time.

I am no math wiz. I have taken the prerequisits for RN, including the statistics needed for BSN.

The thing that helped me most with math is I used the resources available at the school to get tutoring. It seems now days taht aevery school offers free tutoring in most subjects and always in math. This is usually done by other students but many instructors volunteer time too.

Besids this your math teacher is Rquired to have office hours. Amazingly students do not take advantage of this. This is when he is supose to be free to meet with students. This is a time to get help.

I got tutoring and managed to go from being a former D student in math to an A.

Math takes practice the more you do it the better you get. It is a skill, so practice do lots of problems. Get help, even when you believe you know what you are doing, it pays off. Check out your school's resource or learning center (they go by diffrent names) this is where you need to be.

You must understand basic algerbra to do general chemistry. Don't skip the chemistry if it is optional you will need this understanding in nursing.

Good luck, you really can do this.

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