I am afraid I will fail : (

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi,

I am new here and very afraid.

Some time this week or next I will be taking a test to see if I will be able to go to school as a nurse. Right now i'm in college to become a Mechanical Engineer...may people have told me to drop out but oddly am still in but only my 3rd term. My mom has been a nurse for many years and I thought since I am good with people and I do care alot nursing sounds good! I want to drop out of college to become a nurse but return to college as a working nurse so I can pay for my own schooling and not depend on aid. If I get in I have a feeling am going to aim to become a RN next.

Problem is .....you can tell by my spelling and form of words...my skills are still low. And guess what it was worse then this!!! But my English writing skills have greatly improved and like I said before it was worse. My math skills are like 3rd grade and I never tried to learn it since 5th grade after failing so much. And I read someone on yahoo said you need strong English writing skills and loads math skills....something I both lack.

Should I try to find another career?

I feel so lost.:(

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

I have a degree in mechanical engineering. Believe me, math to a nursing student and math to an engineering student are completely different animals. The fact that you're even in engineering school tells me that your math skills are far more than adequate for nursing.

Your language skills, while not excellent, are not horrible either.

If you want to become a nurse, start taking the prerequisites (micro, anatomy, and physiology) and do very well. You've probably already taken freshman chemistry but you should check to be sure it'll be accepted by nursing programs. My 1st-year chemistry in engineering school wouldn't count for nursing because it was straight general chemistry for the chem majors and didn't touch much organic or biochemistry.

Just curious... why have people been suggesting you drop out? That's a pretty rash move. I know why I've chosen to leave ME behind but nursing is moving in a completely different direction. Why do you want to forego engineering and become a nurse? What's changed? Those are questions you should answer for yourself before making such a big change.

Oh yeah... what test is this that you're going to take?

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I have a degree in mechanical engineering. Believe me, math to a nursing student and math to an engineering student are completely different animals. The fact that you're even in engineering school tells me that your math skills are far more than adequate for nursing.

Your language skills, while not excellent, are not horrible either.

If you want to become a nurse, start taking the prerequisites (micro, anatomy, and physiology) and do very well. You've probably already taken freshman chemistry but you should check to be sure it'll be accepted by nursing programs. My 1st-year chemistry in engineering school wouldn't count for nursing because it was straight general chemistry for the chem majors and didn't touch much organic or biochemistry.

Just curious... why have people been suggesting you drop out? That's a pretty rash move. I know why I've chosen to leave ME behind but nursing is moving in a completely different direction. Why do you want to forego engineering and become a nurse? What's changed? Those are questions you should answer for yourself before making such a big change.

Oh yeah... what test is this that you're going to take?

wow you do??? Nice! But I am going for my AA meaning I didn't reach the math part yet, but my skills are so low my 14 year old sister can beat me.

But thanks my English is trying to get better. And chem. well.....I was then homeschooled and didn't have to. But I want to become a nurse because the idea of helpping others sounds like me but am going to work as a nurse and return back to college. But they said I will have to take a interest test. If I pass I can sign up for nursing.

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Specializes in Adult Acute Care Medicine.

If you really want to be a nurse don't give up!

Worst case scenario: you fail the test.

If you don't pass, can you receive feedback on where you are lacking, and then study and retake it at a later time?

If not, you can always get your education elsewhere.

Yes, math is crucial in nursing. It is fairly basic though - and just requires lots of practice. (Does your college have a "math lab" where you could practice and recieve assistance if needed?)

Best of luck to you and I hope you pass. :heartbeat

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If you really want to be a nurse don't give up!

Worst case scenario: you fail the test.

If you don't pass, can you receive feedback on where you are lacking, and then study and retake it at a later time?

If not, you can always get your education elsewhere.

Yes, math is crucial in nursing. It is fairly basic though - and just requires lots of practice. (Does your college have a "math lab" where you could practice and recieve assistance if needed?)

Best of luck to you and I hope you pass. :heartbeat

Thanks I wonder do they charge you per re test? But I will go for it

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Specializes in LTC.

I say jump in and do it! I had a lot of people who believed I would be a cashier for the rest of my life and laughed at my persute of college. I thankfully proved them wrong and just finished my first semester of a nursing program.

My advice to you is get use to the fear of failure. You won't fail, but there will always be a little voice in the back of your head that is questioning you. Hit up the library for some basic mathbooks and study your butt off and retake your placement tests. Take your time with your prereqs. It's okay not to take a full load so you can take the time to learn the material you are studying.

My final peice of advice is to not give up!

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The math required of nurses is simple basic math. Nothing too complex. I see it as very simple, at least from what I have seen as a student. You will not have to graph quadratic functions or apply the CAST rule when you are putting a cast on the patient. ;) Hehe...little joke there...

That said, although generally the math you need to do the job is basic, some universities and colleges require advanced math (I.e. Calculus) in order to APPLY to nursing. That said, most entrance exams for Practical Nursing and the RN Diploma (Associates in the U.S.) don't require advanced math.

You'll need to call your prospective school and find out. Some will allow you to take a placement test if you don't have the course credit. Is this the "test" you are referring to? If you are able to get through engineering, I can't see how you'd have a problem with the level of math required for nursing.

The worst that can happen is that you fail...and I highly doubt you will. If your program does require advanced math credit for entrance, a year's worth of intensive courses should be all you need to bring you up to par considering that you are already in an engineering program.

Good luck!

P.S. What's wrong with mechanical engineering?! That's a great field!

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I say jump in and do it! I had a lot of people who believed I would be a cashier for the rest of my life and laughed at my persute of college. I thankfully proved them wrong and just finished my first semester of a nursing program.

My advice to you is get use to the fear of failure. You won't fail, but there will always be a little voice in the back of your head that is questioning you. Hit up the library for some basic mathbooks and study your butt off and retake your placement tests. Take your time with your prereqs. It's okay not to take a full load so you can take the time to learn the material you are studying.

My final peice of advice is to not give up!

Thanks and its sad people would think that of you but you proved them wrong! Thanks for telling me this : )

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The math required of nurses is simple basic math. Nothing too complex. I see it as very simple, at least from what I have seen as a student. You will not have to graph quadratic functions or apply the CAST rule when you are putting a cast on the patient. ;) Hehe...little joke there...

That said, although generally the math you need to do the job is basic, some universities and colleges require advanced math (I.e. Calculus) in order to APPLY to nursing. That said, most entrance exams for Practical Nursing and the RN Diploma (Associates in the U.S.) don't require advanced math.

You'll need to call your prospective school and find out. Some will allow you to take a placement test if you don't have the course credit. Is this the "test" you are referring to? If you are able to get through engineering, I can't see how you'd have a problem with the level of math required for nursing.

The worst that can happen is that you fail...and I highly doubt you will. If your program does require advanced math credit for entrance, a year's worth of intensive courses should be all you need to bring you up to par considering that you are already in an engineering program.

Good luck!

P.S. What's wrong with mechanical engineering?! That's a great field!

Thanks and I want to do both nursing and engineering. I am great with people and even at work don't mind hearing someones problem all day, I have come across people who say people who complain or have problems going on in life is a waste of time.....yes that friendship is over! But I picked nursing because of the shortage and my mom is a LPN and seems to enjoy itand I needed a career to pay for schooling so I don't mind doing both.

Also whats considered basic math?

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Fractions, can you solve for an unknown, very basic conversions

metric system, apothecary system.

Get a copy of Calculate with confidence by Morris. After you work through the chapters you will do just fine in nursing math. (Calculate with confidence is essentially a nursing math textbook.)

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Specializes in MICU.

If you put your mind to it, you can do it! I barely passed college algebra my senior year of high school and almost went into shock when I got a B in stats. Nursing math is doable! And to this day I can spell many common words, but cholecystectomy and serosanguineous come so natural. Ohhh, only a nurse! Good luck!

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Thanks and I want to do both nursing and engineering. I am great with people and even at work don't mind hearing someones problem all day, I have come across people who say people who complain or have problems going on in life is a waste of time.....yes that friendship is over! But I picked nursing because of the shortage and my mom is a LPN and seems to enjoy itand I needed a career to pay for schooling so I don't mind doing both.

Also whats considered basic math?

I consider "Basic Math" to be early years algebra, fractions, multiplying, dividing, adding, etc. You really only need to be able to do basic calculations for figuring out drug doses and drip rates for IV bags (assuming the MD hasn't already done this). I am only a student, and haven't done any clinicals yet, so I'm not sure exactly how much theory you actually get to apply. I have heard it's good to double check Dr.'s calculations/orders, they're NOT always right. ;)

I'm in Canada, and even here each province is different for admission requirements to nursing programs. Here are the requirements for admission to the following (using my home provinces requirements unless otherwise indicated, I'm now going to school somewhere else):

LPN: Consumer Math 40S (Grade 12). This is general math for those not planning on attending university or taking math beyond high school. The cover taxes, probability, etc.

RN Diploma (2 years/24 months): Consumer, Applied, or Pre-Calculus Math 40S.

B.N./BScN: Applied or Pre-Calculus 40S Math (Pre-Calculus only accepted in the province I now live in). You will usually need a higher level math to be accepted into the Stats course that most programs require.

Applied Math deals with probability, matrix problems, algebra, drafting, etc. There is a focus on using technology to solve problems. Pre-Calculus is exactly that...a precursor to calculus. You will deal with mostly theoretical math (higher concept math) and do a lot of graphing, functions, etc.

Again, I think you will do fine and make an awesome nurse (you seem to really want it). You will be fine. So what if you have to take an extra course or two (you may not even have to)? Think about how happy you will be when you accomplish your goal! :yeah:

Get out there and take your test. Life is too short to hesitate!

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

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