Need honest opinions please

Achoo!, LPN · Feb 24, 2004

I am not in the program yet, but you do use a " bit" of algebra in chemistry. It isn't alot but if you have a basic knowledge of algebra it helps.

jjbaby · Feb 24, 2004

In nursing math does come into play when it comes to calculating dosages. This is an important part of nursing. In my program we have dosage calculations on every single test!!! It is basically knowing the different formulas used to calculate dosages. Math is not my strong suit either, but I am graduating from the RN program in 3 weeks. You can do it, just study and you will get better at the math part of it. Get a good dosage calc book and begin familiarizing yourself with the formulas. This will help you get a jump start on this part of nursing.

We all have out strong points and we can improve our weak points with work and lots of practice.

majicalblue · Feb 24, 2004

ok. so most of you know that I am doing my pre-reqs right now. some of you also know that I am struggling something fierce in math. what I want to know is just how important is the math in nursing? How much math is involved in nursing? What math is involved in nursing?
I'm doing my classes by correspondence, and each course has 4 units and a final test. I have completed one math unit (85%) and am 1/2 way through unit 2. I just dont know if I can handle doing the next math class! I am struggling so bad, and to be honest, its got me feeling so down right now I need to do well to get in to nursing, but then I wonder if I will even graduate from nursing if there is a lot of math involved.
i'm scared right now. Nursing is the only thing I have ever imagined myself doing, and its the only thing I want to do. I dont mind working my butt off, I just dont want it to be for nothing. kwim?
does anyone know of any math websites that can help me out?
Thanks for reading.

Math is a big part of the nursing program. Especially when it comes to calculating dosages, IV drip rates, and Pediatric dosages. I'm not that great at math either, but I'm doing just fine. Just watch what is ordered, what is given, and what you need to figure out. It'll come to you, and you'll do just fine. If you want to get a head start on nursing math there is this great book that my school makes us get called "Math for meds" by Curren and Munday. It teaches you step by step on all the math that you will need to know for nursing. Don't give up, you can do it.

wv_nurse 2003 · Feb 24, 2004

Math is mostly invisible to the public when it's used in nursing--but it is used daily. It can mean the difference between giving a ptient the right dose of a medication, or a possible over- or under-dose. Try to think of the "math" as dosage calculation--to get away from any pre-determined weakness you think you have with math. There are several websites with math tutorials, and numerous books to help you. Don't be afraid of math--respect it, realize its importance, and then conquer it on your way to becoming a great nurse.

Some reference websites:

http://www.accd.edu/sac/nursing/math/default.html

http://www.studystack.com/java-studysta/frames.jsp?reloading=1

http://kcsun3.tripod.com/id52.htm

Hope this helps!

colleen10 · Feb 24, 2004

I am not good at math at all, never have been. But, I find Nursing Math do-able.

I think because it makes sense. It is easier to understand when you are actually looking at, say, a vial that is 5mL of liquid and contains 1g of medication and you need to figure out how many mL to give a patient. It is not as abstract as a bunch of crazy equations or solving for "X", just to solve it for the heck of it.

I think it's important to try hard in your regular Math classes like Algebra, but don't let it deter you from nursing school. Hard to believe but I have found most nurses to be notoriously bad at math. And don't forget, when you are on the floor and have a drug dosage problem to work out, it is more than acceptable to ask one of your fellow nurses to take a look at the problem so that you can double check what you arrived at.

MaggieJo · Feb 24, 2004

I've always been terrified of math. I was never very good at it, but the nursing math seems to be very easy to me. Like another poster said, it's much easier to have something tangible to calculate.

Maggie

Jen2 · Feb 24, 2004

I am the absolute worst in math I hate it and am horrible at it. However, I agree with Colleen. When you are doing algebra it's like who care I'll never use this and why do I need to know this. Nursing math has a purpose. You know the importance of it and understand why you are doing it and the answer makes sense and means something. I struggled with dosage calculations at first, but practice makes perfect and it eventually comes to you. After awile if you get a wrong answer you can say "hey this is too much or too little for this person" and then you can re-do it and get the right answer. Get a good dosage calculations book and start practicing. I also had tutors for all of my pre-req math classes which was a huge help. If you don't already have one go to the student tutoring center at your school and check into it it's usually free and well worth the extra time. Good luck

RedSox33RN · Feb 24, 2004

I just took a Math class last semester specifically for any of the allied health fields. It was very beneficial, and the main focus for part of the term was figuring out dosages, metric conversion, etc. In fact, we were not allowed to get less than a B on that portion in order to get credit for the course. It was not a course I needed for my degree, but I'm very glad I took it. In fact, I found out it won't transfer to any private college I go to, but it doesn't matter to me - I got that much out of it.

In terms of Algebra, Geometry and trig, I think they just sort of all tie in together, but I can honestly say Algebra never helped me one iota in my life after high school. I'm terrible in Math to begin with, and taking that course, even just signing up for it, gave me anxiety attacks, because I knew I should take it but was scared of lowering my GPA. Not only did I do well with the 1/2 online, 1/2 classroom format, but got the highest grade in the class. My prof. couldn't believe that I was no good in math.