Hating Dosage Class..

RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2009

I hardly ever do dosage calculations, but I'm in adult medsurg. I do some calculations in my head....nothing at all like school unless you work in NICU or pedi.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Feb 18, 2009

Depending on where you work, you may not encounter dosage calculations at all, but most places that hire require a pharmacology test, where dosage calculations are a must to take. I hate math, but did get an A in the class. Problem for me is that I barely use it, and have to review each time I apply somewhere because I know that the math is coming. I decided now, to at least practice some once a month, so, I am not so thrown off when it comes.

What formula are you using? For me, dimensional analysis works best.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Feb 18, 2009

I hardly ever do dosage calculations, but I'm in adult medsurg. I do some calculations in my head....nothing at all like school unless you work in NICU or pedi.

So true... peds and ICU have it the most, from what I hear. I work in a clinic, so, I don't see it at all, and I must have seen it twice since I worked per diem in med-surg, and it wasn't that difficult.

itsme583 · Feb 18, 2009

Britney_RN, thanks for replying so quickly. I think I am getting so anxious about being in the Nursing program that I am making myself go crazy.

chenoaspirit, ASN, RN · Feb 18, 2009

Calm down. You have to learn it, but will probably rarely use it (depending on where you work, that is). I agree that dimensional analysis works great. I work med/surg and peds (our floor is also the only peds floor). I rarely use it. Our pharmacy does all that for us.

Dont stress yourself so much now or you will have a nervous breakdown once you start nursing classes. :) You will do fine. I was scared too, we all were.

tryingtohaveitall · Feb 18, 2009

At others said, you'll use it in ICU and Peds. Being both, we use drug calculations for essentially every medication we give. Having said that, it's really not so bad. Don't stress out over it til it's time. Cause by the time you get there, you'll probably find yourself wondering what you were all worked up over way back when. :>)

MisterSimba, BSN · Feb 18, 2009

Britney_RN, thanks for replying so quickly. I think I am getting so anxious about being in the Nursing program that I am making myself go crazy.

Yeah, you and me both! I start in a few months and am super excited but scared at the same time!

AnnaSL, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2009

Put your heart into it.. Many have thought that Nursing does not involve Numbers... But Nope, we depend on Numbers... and our License depends on calculating the RIGHT DOSAGE of MEDICATION..

This is not to scare you and all.. It's just that a HUGE part of being a nurse is to safely administer a medication on the right patient (right: dose, drug, frequency, route..etc)..

Because one slight number drop or error you make, you're on your way to making incident reports or worst.

You see, you'll get use to it.. Just put your heart and soul into it, if being a nurse is really what you dream of doing..

Plus, in time, you'll be able to make your own easy way of calculating, you'll get use to it...:nuke:

itsme583 · Feb 18, 2009

Thank you all so much for your kind words and your positive attitude. It really makes me happy that almost every single nurse I encounter thus far are really awesome, genuine people and I can't wait to start working with a great group of people with the same goals and views as me.

RhodyGirl, RN · Feb 18, 2009

itsme583-

Don't worry too much about the dosage stuff. When you get right down to it, it's really nothing but some simple algebra and calculations. I'm sure you'll do just fine! And, good luck to you in starting your nursing classes. It's hard work but I learn something new every day!!

Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Feb 18, 2009

Peds, ICU and .........ED, don't forget them.

I am the Dopamine calculation queen.....:bowingpur