I am so scared

[nurse2btracy]

I start NS in September. Math is not my strongest subject. I am so afraid that I will never learn the dosage calculations. I went to a review class at my college and my biggest problem is where to place the decimal point. I can do the math but everytime I think that I know where to place the decimal point I am proven wrong.

I am trying to review math for nurses before I start in September.

Thanks for letting me rant

Tracy

[mel421]

Just remember you have made it this far. I think it is scarey until we can get in there. Fear of the unknown. I'm sure you will do fine. Good luck and hopefully we can all help eachother out.

:balloons:

[ramonmalino]

Sounds like you're over thinking it. Just relax, take a deep breath and you'll be fine. Doasge calc isn't as bad as you think, the formulas are actually pretty easy once you practice them a couple of times, if you want, PM me and I can give you a couple practice problems I have lying around somewhere.

[MikeyJ, RN]

Dosage calculations is the easiest part of nursing school. Before starting nursing school, I think everyone starts over-analyzing everything and begins to worry. Dosage calculations should be the least of your worries. :)

In fact, I highly doubt many schools actually fail someone out because of it. I am sure there are a few here and there, but probably far and few. Our professors had told us that 1 or 2 people in the history of our nursing school (goes back nearly 50 years) have actually failed because of a med math exam.

[sticknurse]

Math was no easy matter for me, I just did as many of the problems as I could, as practice. I also took a (required) math for dummies class when I started college classes. One smart instructor told us "if you write the formula on the top of the test I'm not going to be able to stop you" that was helpful too. It freed up the few brain cells I had that weren't sizzling to do the job. Make friends with math, and say "I can do this." Think positive.

[GottaGetIn]

I'm not terribly great at math either.....actually, I think I'm more afraid of it than anything. I did get A's in college math/algebra, etc....But I still can't shake that thought of "I can't do it" that was ingrained in my head from my childhood.

Our school makes us pass our dosage calculation test w/ a 90 or better. If we fail it, we're out of the program. I think the only saving grace here is that they give us an opportunity for two retakes.

[arciedee]

I don't know what, if any, med calc book they are requiring you to get, but if you can, look for one that shows multiple ways for solving the same problems. We used Calculate with Confidence, and it showed at least three different ways to solve the problems. I think that was really useful since different methods will make better sense to different people and you can find what works for you.

[NBMom1225]

If you're looking for a good book to help you review and strengthen your math skills, look into getting "Math for Meds" by Curren. It not only reviews all the basic math you'll need (including those pesky decimal points), it also takes you right up through dosage calculations, BSA calculations, and IV drip rates. I had this book for an MA class that I took while waiting to be accepted into the nursing program and it's worth it's weight in gold! Try not to fret over the math, it's really not that bad once you get going;).

[Joe NightingMale, MSN, RN]

I'm not terribly great at math either.....actually, I think I'm more afraid of it than anything. I did get A's in college math/algebra, etc....But I still can't shake that thought of "I can't do it" that was ingrained in my head from my childhood.

Our school makes us pass our dosage calculation test w/ a 90 or better. If we fail it, we're out of the program. I think the only saving grace here is that they give us an opportunity for two retakes.

If you can get an A in algebra you shouldn't have a problem with dosage calculations. It's pretty common for people to fear math, so don't let your anxiety shake your confidence.

[MikeyJ, RN]

I forgot to mention in my other post, that if at all possible, try learning dimensional analysis. Dimensional analysis is the type of converting you learned in your chemistry class, and it is extremely helpful with med math. In fact, with dimensional analysis there is no need to remember the numerous dosage forumlas.

Some schools don't allow their students to use dimensional analysis, which I have never understood... but if they do, I would definitely recommend using it. :)

[neyney1979]

I finish NS in October and Math was never my best subject but dosing calculations is different than algebra and statistics. Don't worry too much. I made it. There are some good ways to set up the problems to make the math easier. I am sure that you will find a way that works great for you. Don't worry to much. If this is what you want to do you will find a way to succeed.

[Music in My Heart]

I forgot to mention in my other post, that if at all possible, try learning dimensional analysis. Dimensional analysis is the type of converting you learned in your chemistry class, and it is extremely helpful with med math. In fact, with dimensional analysis there is no need to remember the numerous dosage forumlas.

Dittoes.

I am very good at math and was an outstanding chemistry student. To this day, I still use dimensional analysis for all sorts of problems even though I don't really need to and it takes a bit longer. The reason I do it is because it prevents silly mistakes.

The other thing to practice is estimating the answer so that you can see if you're in the ballpark or off by an order of magnitude. Being able to judge whether the answer looks right or makes sense helps avoid those problems with the powers of ten.