How to get accepted with a learning disability

Published

Hello I have been a Medical Assistant since 2003. I love the medical field and would like to pursue my career as a nurse. The problem is these entrance exams i cant pass the math portions. I have even tried tutoring,study guides and still dont pass. I was diagnosed with a math disability my senior year I was told I am at a 4th grade math level. I was even exempt from taking the math part on the 9th grade proficiency test in high school and thats how I was able to graduate high school. My passion is to be a nurse but because of this issue I get discouraged an want to give up. Are there any nursing schools in the ohio area that would work with people with learning disabilities.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Dialysis.

You would have to check individually, but my guess would be no, as most require some kind of math. Ask the schools. Good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You can't get through nursing school with only a 4th grade math ability. I don't think being bad in math is even a recognized disability? You're not saying you just take longer to learn things in general, which is usual for a learning disability, but you just are lousy at math. I really can't see that qualifying as any kind of disability and even if it did the question is really how can you handle dosage calculations and drip rates without college level math. It's not just the entrance exam it's the actual practice of nursing with medications and being able to pass the licensing exam. I'm sorry but you probably need to find a new passion.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You need to contact the schools you are considering, and ask them.

Graduating from nursing school, would only be your first step with a math disability. As a nurse, you would need the math skills to calculate a medication dose, in your head and STAT.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

The thing with schools working with people with disabilities is the accommodations must be *reasonable* accommodations. For example, if someone with hearing loss can make it through nursing school with an ASL interpreter and an amplified stethoscope, the school needs to accommodate that. If you have a documented disability they may need to provide you with extra tutoring or something of the like...but as an end result, you still need to be able to do the work. There is no passing someone just because they can't get it like your high school did, in nursing school. If you can't do the work, you will fail.

In addition to school, you need to be able to do med math on the NCLEX. You won't be allowed to "pass" those questions because you have a disability. And then there is actual nursing practice. The reason you need to do med math for nursing school is you need that skill as a nurse.

You can contact the schools you're considering and ask what kind of help is available. Otherwise, I'm not sure what to tell you. I'm sorry.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

Yes, math learning disability is an official diagnosis and it comes under ADA coverage.

As Here.I.Stand said, school is required to provide reasonable accomodations. In case of math disability, it will most probably mean a permission to use a simple calculator and additional time during tests. One cannot bypass math entirely in the course of studying nursing at any level, and BSN programs have college statistics prereq, which is around grade 8 algebra.

OP can ask schools, of course, but I pretty much guarantee than none of them will say "no" outright out of fear of being sued for discrimination. What they will do is to readdress the OP to the party which administer their required entrance exams (TEAS or HESI) and tell to get all permissions and pass them first, just like every other applicant does.

I would suggest, as the least expensive thing to do, visiting nearby public library and getting some TEAS and HESI books and trying to crack their math parts, metodically, calmly and in the OP's own time and tempo. If this could be done, then applying in the program would make sense. If not, then, well, sorry.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks everyone for the advice. I have passed pharmacology an dosage calculations in the past I can do it in nursing. Also working as a MA I have given injections an had to do dosage calculations before i could ggive a patient anything. I just need to get the extra tutoring and special accommodations for nursing school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Yes, math learning disability is an official diagnosis and it comes under ADA coverage.

As Here.I.Stand said, school is required to provide reasonable accomodations. In case of math disability, it will most probably mean a permission to use a simple calculator and additional time during tests. One cannot bypass math entirely in the course of studying nursing at any level, and BSN programs have college statistics prereq, which is around grade 8 algebra.

OP can ask schools, of course, but I pretty much guarantee than none of them will say "no" outright out of fear of being sued for discrimination. What they will do is to readdress the OP to the party which administer their required entrance exams (TEAS or HESI) and tell to get all permissions and pass them first, just like every other applicant does.

I would suggest, as the least expensive thing to do, visiting nearby public library and getting some TEAS and HESI books and trying to crack their math parts, metodically, calmly and in the OP's own time and tempo. If this could be done, then applying in the program would make sense. If not, then, well, sorry.

Don't all BSN programs require Algebra II, at least as a pre req to Stats? Or is that just a CSU requirement?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

Libby1987,

No, not all. When I was shopping about mine, 2 out of 3 I checked did not. But one will not pass Stats without a good grasp on basic algebra, and every BSN prorgam has Stats as prereq or included course.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
Thanks everyone for the advice. I have passed pharmacology an dosage calculations in the past I can do it in nursing. Also working as a MA I have given injections an had to do dosage calculations before i could ggive a patient anything. I just need to get the extra tutoring and special accommodations for nursing school.

I doubt that the special accommodations that you have received in the past will be offered in nursing school. As has been mentioned, a basic grasp of math/algebra concepts must be demonstrated prior to even entering nursing school. There is no "exempt" pass on a basic requirement of the degree/profession.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Thanks everyone for the advice. I have passed pharmacology an dosage calculations in the past I can do it in nursing. Also working as a MA I have given injections an had to do dosage calculations before i could ggive a patient anything. I just need to get the extra tutoring and special accommodations for nursing school.

Being able to calculate a dosage for IM injection is really small potatoes compared to some of the other medication calculations you'll need to do for other medications and routes of administration. In an emergency you can't take extra time to figure out the dose of the med your patient needs.

Maybe it would help to talk to a career counselor to see what options are open to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I definitely will but I do no this you can be anything you want in life if you want it bad enough. I know this through my own trials an tribulations in life. I will just have to work hard at it. I been in the medical field since 2003 so I know its not easy by no means thats why I stated it has to be a passion. So I have spoke to a counselor who is willing to work with me at the nursing school so im on my way I can do it and im stay positive about it! Thanks for the advice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion