I'm having second thought about being a nurse.

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Ouch, this is a bummer. I worked hard over the past couple of years to complete A&P and Microbiolgy thinking that I wanted to be a nurse. I've attempted Algebra three times, failed twice and barely passed the third time with a C. Needless to say, I suck bigtime at math and always have. I did really good in all the pre-reqs. I have been accepted into the ADN Program at Glendale Community College and I start Pharmacology and Fundamentals of Nursing June 20, tomorrow to be exact. I will still be working my Paralegal job to which my boss will let me go to class.

I've been having so much anxiety and second thoughts about this. I don't think I should be having this and maybe it's a sign that I should not do this. I've been going over the first 8 chapters in the Calculations Made Easy book for the Phamacology class and I'm so much trouble with the conversions and calculations. Some, I have no clue. I always have and still make mistakes when it comes to math and especially the calculations. Even when I believe I did it correctly, I did it wrong. I spent all weekend doing the problems and studying the material and it boggles my mind.

Bottom line is that I don't feel strong enough or confident enough in doing the calculations (and I may fail this class as a result) to do it if I become a nurse. I don't want to harm anyone, much less kill them with a mis-calculation. I guess my whole heart is not into being a nurse anymore. :confused:

I think you're just nervous about tomorrow. :) I have an MS in math. What I have learned through all that study, tutoring, and teaching in grad school is that no one is 'bad' at math. It just hasn't 'clicked' yet for them (whatever the math topic). We all learn different ways, and I'm guessing they haven't been presented in a way that makes it click for you. Or else you just haven't studied enough; some of us need to study more than others to 'get' something. Is it your arithmetic that suffers? A calculator and working slowly (to be sure you're not making a mistake) would help. I always write down (almost) EVERY step. I always found my students made little mistakes (like a sign or arithmetic) when they didn't write every single step (and also when they worked to quickly). I don't think you should quit nursing because you're not feeling confident about your math skills! Keep plugging away with practice problems.

hi,

i would encourage you to stay in school and look for other options. such as, are there any tutors or a math lab or form a study group to help you. math is repetition, the more you practice the better you'll get. you worked hard so far, why not keep going to the end.:specs:

I appreciate the replies and advice. The bad thing is that this semester is the summer interssession (6 week classes) and there is not much time. They are cramming a whole semester class into 6 weeks (half of the Fundamentals of nursing into 6 weeks) and our first calculations exam is next week. Calculation exams are pass/fail and a 90 is required to pass. I'm going to give it my best effort and if I fail, I fail. I feel you need to be fairly strong in knowing how to accurately know the calculations and formulas to be a nurse. I feel pretty unconfident in this area.

Specializes in ICU.

You can do it! Seriously, if you DO want to be a nurse, then you'll be able to overcome this and look back on it and think, hey I did it! Start from the beginning, if it doesn't make sense, go the library or bookstore and search for a new book that explains it in a way you can grasp. Look online also and perhaps go to school and see if they have a math tutor.

I recently had to redo this standardized math exam that I failed. I spent 2 hours everyday for like a month going through and doing all of these math problems. I thought I would fail, but I kept studying--I went to the library and I found way better books too.

I took lots of practice tests and I never passed. I took the exam last wed. and I passed with a good score too!

I now agree with the above poster--no one is "bad" at math--sometimes it just takes a little while to grasp a concept because we may have started out with a bad foundation in math.

Just try to do everything you can to pass. Try not say, "if I fail, I fail." That might set you up for failure mentally. Instead, study like hell until you KNOW it, take the quiz with confidence and pass!:D

You can do it! Seriously, if you DO want to be a nurse, then you'll be able to overcome this and look back on it and think, hey I did it! Start from the beginning, if it doesn't make sense, go the library or bookstore and search for a new book that explains it in a way you can grasp. Look online also and perhaps go to school and see if they have a math tutor.

I recently had to redo this standardized math exam that I failed. I spent 2 hours everyday for like a month going through and doing all of these math problems. I thought I would fail, but I kept studying--I went to the library and I found way better books too.

I took lots of practice tests and I never passed. I took the exam last wed. and I passed with a good score too!

I now agree with the above poster--no one is "bad" at math--sometimes it just takes a little while to grasp a concept because we may have started out with a bad foundation in math.

Just try to do everything you can to pass. Try not say, "if I fail, I fail." That might set you up for failure mentally. Instead, study like hell until you KNOW it, take the quiz with confidence and pass!:D

Thanks.

I also believe that I am setting myself up for failure because of another reason which I'm trying to shake, but is very strong. The math is a major problem but there is another. I know this may sound strange and ridiculous, and is setting myself up for failure. As a new RN I know I will have to work nights and weekends and I just don't want to work nights and weekends. Ridiculous I know. My wife has a career where she only works weekdays and weekends off as I do now. We have only been married 2 years and I really love our weekends together and our weekend getaways. Selfish I know and because I feel this way my heart is not 100% into the program which will cause problems. I bet I am the first on here to feel this way. I'm pretty confused right now and am not sure this is the right decision to make.

I'd just hate to spend a huge amount of time and energy on a career that I may not be happy with. That's my fear.

Okay, now I see why you are nervous!! Find out where your school's math tutoring center is (most have them). Don't walk, RUN there! ;) Seriously, go for help immediately. Do your homework there if you can. Maybe it will finally 'click' for you. Don't hesitate to ask classmates and teachers for help, too. Good luck and let us know what happens.

Specializes in ICU.
I also believe that I am setting myself up for failure because of another reason which I'm trying to shake, but is very strong. The math is a major problem but there is another. I know this may sound strange and ridiculous, and is setting myself up for failure. As a new RN I know I will have to work nights and weekends and I just don't want to work nights and weekends. Ridiculous I know. My wife has a career where she only works weekdays and weekends off as I do now. We have only been married 2 years and I really love our weekends together and our weekend getaways. Selfish I know and because I feel this way my heart is not 100% into the program which will cause problems. I bet I am the first on here to feel this way. I'm pretty confused right now and am not sure this is the right decision to make.

I think you're thinking too far in advance. My bf's mother is a nurse and she does not work nights ever. Every once in awhile she will work over the weekend, but she will still have other days off during the week. There will be times you can schedule with your wife, I am sure.

Are you sure this is the only other reason you may be setting yourself up for failure? You must have decided to pursue a nursing degree for some reason...do you remember why?

There are plenty of nursing jobs that are during the week, like office jobs. And anyway, I don't think you would have come this far if a little sacrifice wasn't worth it to you. I think you're just having cold feet. Work your butt off, get this math thing figured out once and for all, and then see how you feel.

I think you're thinking too far in advance. My bf's mother is a nurse and she does not work nights ever. Every once in awhile she will work over the weekend, but she will still have other days off during the week. There will be times you can schedule with your wife, I am sure.

Are you sure this is the only other reason you may be setting yourself up for failure? You must have decided to pursue a nursing degree for some reason...do you remember why?

Maybe I am thinking too far in advance because this really bothers me. I decided to pursue a nursing career 4 1/2 years ago when I dated a nurse and she worked at Children's Hospital. She really loved her job and was very satisfied. This influenced me and I decided I wanted a career that was satisfying, a career I could leave at the end of my shift and feel that I did something good by helping people. I still want this and I am trying to shake off the anxiety but it's pretty overwhelming. I truly hope I am making the right decision and can make it through the school.

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