Insight about the math and RN skills

Nurses General Nursing

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I am always been pretty weak in Math. In all aspects of school, I would struggle but eventually get it. I am just worried if this is for me. If I struggle with math in general, will I make a good nurse? Is it a deal breaker? Can I learn it? Are there others out there that overcame the math? I took Algebra twice in college years ago to pass. I know I will need to really study and prepare myself for the math involved in being an RN. I just don't want to kid myself and invest the time if I am not suited for this. I know I can get help and dedicate myself timewise to what it takes. Anyone out there who overcame the math part of this and is a successful nurse? Thanks!

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I am always been pretty weak in Math. In all aspects of school, I would struggle but eventually get it. I am just worried if this is for me. If I struggle with math in general, will I make a good nurse? Is it a deal breaker? Can I learn it? Are there others out there that overcame the math? I took Algebra twice in college years ago to pass. I know I will need to really study and prepare myself for the math involved in being an RN. I just don't want to kid myself and invest the time if I am not suited for this. I know I can get help and dedicate myself timewise to what it takes. Anyone out there who overcame the math part of this and is a successful nurse? Thanks!

You're making too much of it. You passed Algebra (never mind how many times you had to take it, the point is that you passed it!) so you've got the skill for the mathematics of nursing. It's all just arithmetic - addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. There's really nothing to it so don't let math anxiety undermine you.

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Yes, you can definitely overcome this and become a successful nurse. Here's a recent thread that may give you some ideas:

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/math-my-weakness-443423.html

There will be a way you can understand things, you just have to find out what it is. Personally, dimensional analysis makes my head spin, so I use ratio & proportion every time. You'll find what works!

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if you can pass algebra, you can do the math...seriously...it's not too bad.

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Specializes in General adult inpatient psychiatry.

I had a 2nd grade teacher tell me that I had a math phobia and that I'd never be good at math. I had to re-take college algebra.

I did fine on all my dosage calculation tests in nursing school when I took the time to study and know the formulas. I don't use too much math in my practice, aside from knowing that if someone is ordered 150 mg of Effexor and it comes in 75 mg pills, they get 2 pills and that sort of thing.

Don't let your fear of math get in the way of your dreams. I just buckled down and told myself that I could do it and surrounded myself with the necessary resources when the time came. :)

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Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

Here is a very important tip - you will very rarely give less than half of a dose or more than 2 of something, like half of a pill, or 2 pills. Example : Pt needs Lasix, 20mg. You have on hand 40 mg tablets. Or, pt needs Lasix 40 mg, you have 20 mg tablets. Then there are the drip calculations for IVs. You will be taught the formulas. The math is not difficult, and it is all very logical.

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I had a huge math phobia...and I did fine in my math during school. I see one posted said ratio and proportion was what was best for them...but dimensional analysis is what I do and I cannot imagine doing ratio and proportion...so it really is what you learn and what you are comfortable with. You can do this. Don't be intimidated by the math...just focus and practice and you will be fine.

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