How difficult is math in nursing school?

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Hey Ya'll!!!

I was wondering how difficult the math is in nursing school? I am really bad at math and was wondering what I am going to need to work on to be successful in the nursing program?

Thanks so much!

I really don't want the fear of math to keep me from fufilling my dreams. :/

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Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

Work on fractions and ratios and conversions to metric. We are reviewing math for medications right now and its a little annoying as everyone is crying "i don't get it" or "I'm bad at math" without spending time just looking at it and just trying it.

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Start working on conversions now! Wish I would have reviewed this summer! I am horrible @ math & it is killing me now that I am in dosage & solutions! I know it is mostly basic math, but have not had any math in at least 10 yrs!

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Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.

Practice, practice, practice. The math is not terribly difficult, but you do need to know basic algebra. If you are not good at it, practice so you will be good at it. Giving correct doses and knowing how to do calculations is of the utmost importance in patient safety and in nursing in general. Take it very seriously! Did I mention practice????

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

i answer a lot of drug calculation questions on the student forums. you need to know math up to at least the pre-algebra level, at the end of a pre-algebra class students are taught how to solve for x in simple equations. drug calculation problems are mostly word problems that at worst involve working with fractions (multiplying and dividing them) and sometimes ratios. ratios are fractions. you will also learn to include information about iv infusion rates.

you might want to check out these sticky threads in the student forums:

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50 year old Eng Lit major here with last math class Geometry in high school. I had the same question; my ADN program requires college Algebra; I am having to test to see which "remedial" class I need to start with. I Googled "free algebra tutorial" & saved "algebasics" where I hope to get up to speed on Algebra. JMTC.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

Basically, it's middle school math. Also, do what method works best for you. I was and still am a big believer in formulas. Just plug the right numbers in and you're done. When I was in school, many teachers taught the students to take this prolonged way to get the answer. That's when I tend to make silly mistakes, when there are lots of steps involved.

There are workbooks and such out there and many schools have tutors. I always thought I was bad at math due to a nasty Algebra teacher in 9th grade, but I found out that actually, I like math and am good at it. For whatever reason, many people(women especially) have it in their heads that they can't do math. Try to stay positive, you may surprise yourself.

Good luck!:)

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I'm going back to hopefully get my BSN and have to take 2 college math classes...I too suck at math. However, my babysitter's daughter is a wiz and told me she'd tutor me if I need her...thank goodness; I have a feeling I will be seeing her often!

Blessings, Michelle

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I'm not great at math either. One has to practice practice practice! Two good books are calculations with confidence (cheap on half.com) and henke's med-math. We have a dosage exam each semester that one has to obtain a 90% to pass. You only get 1 rewrite, fail that and ur out, so some incentive to study,lol

Its really not that hard, just takes practice and UNDERSTANDING of what is being asked. They (professors) love to throw in a "extra" information and numbers into the question, not so much to confuse you (it can though,lol) but to ensure you understand what is required. On one recent exam, they had this long question, with eventually 75cc/hr in the question and how would you set up the pump? ans 75 ml/hr (1 cc= 1 ml) but some students figured it cant be just 75 ml/hr that's to easy,lol so they dug up some wacky formula and got the question wrong!! Check out the math section in the students forum on here, lots of great advice.

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

I would be curiouse to know how many nurses actually like math?? Honestly I dont think our brains our wired that way--I always said I hated math and was not good at it, but I made it through and so will you, your teachers will help you if your struggeling, it is just a matter of practice practice practice of the formulas..Good Luck

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And most have tutors available, usually for free. Just dont wait to the last minute to use their services!

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I'm in my final year of nursing school and have not yet encountered a math problem that I could not have done in the 6th grade. If you can multiply and divide fractions and memorize English to metric conversions, then you'll be fine.

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