Published
There are plenty of good books that will walk you through the process. There are some websites too. Search for drug calculations, medication administration, drug doses, etc. I even found some tests to play with. All you need is basic algebra. I agree that you do not need to take any non-required course during nursing school, but if it stresses you out more to miss it than to take it, well the first part of nursing school is easier than the last, so do it then.
Here is the website I used, I did not take a seperate class and I have never gotten a math problem wrong (and I am by no means a math guru).
I agree. No need to take a course. Memorize your conversions and set up your problems. There are two ways to do it: ratio and proportion and dimensional analysis. I prefer dimensional analysis. In dimensional analysis you start off with what you want. With ratio and proportion, you start off with what's available. Get a book like Dosage Calculations Made Incredibly Easy and try both ways. Use what works best for you.
studentNY
99 Posts
I am signed up for a Dosage Calculation class this Sept along with the regular 1st semester nursing classes. It is not required. Many people are telling me to drop this and learn it on my own this summer to lighten the load this fall, not to mention save the money. Other student nurses say 'why have extra tests?'. Do I need to know more than basic math. My option is to buy the book and work on it over the summer. Please advise!!!!!!