How much math daily in Nursing?

Nurses New Nurse

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I have applied to nursing school and am getting nervous about the math requirements. I have had statistics but that is all in college. I am taking a refresher course just to be sure. How much math do nurses encounter daily and how difficult are the calculations?

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Specializes in SICU, EMS, Home Health, School Nursing.

I do math occasionally... the majority of the time it is when I have to a heparin nomogram (I hate those things) and I normally have someone else double check my math before I fax it to pharmacy. If you ever have a math question that has to do with meds, you can call pharmacy.

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

I think it depends on the specialty, too. In NICU, we did a fair amount on a daily basis: checking drug doses, which is dependent on the pts weight, intake and output. There is a fair amount of math in adult ICUs also.

Bottom line, you need to becomfortable using math.

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Specializes in SICU, EMS, Home Health, School Nursing.
I think it depends on the specialty, too. In NICU, we did a fair amount on a daily basis: checking drug doses, which is dependent on the pts weight, intake and output. There is a fair amount of math in adult ICUs also.

Bottom line, you need to becomfortable using math.

I work in an adult ICU... I guess I do use more math than I realized. It kinda becomes second nature after a while. The computer calculated our I&O's, so at least we don't have to sit there adding all those numbers up.

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

It's not just adding up the #s--you have to figure out how many mls/k and how many calories/k. Depending on how many different things are going in, can get challenging, esp @ 4am, which is when they do those calculations for the day.

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Specializes in SICU, EMS, Home Health, School Nursing.
It's not just adding up the #s--you have to figure out how many mls/k and how many calories/k. Depending on how many different things are going in, can get challenging, esp @ 4am, which is when they do those calculations for the day.

We don't have to do that. Adults needs for calories doesn't change as drastically on a day to day basis like your little ones do. Its nothing for our patients to go up or down a couple pounds every day. If there is a drastic change, we have to be sure to inform the doc in the am.

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Specializes in ER.

I do simple math daily...dosage calculations. Like 400mg/5ml of antibiotics

and I need say, 160 mg. We have several medications that are weight based, so have to do VERY basic math for those.

we rarely have to do math for drips due to having charts and programmable iv pumps....so spoiled;)

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
I have applied to nursing school and am getting nervous about the math requirements. I have had statistics but that is all in college. I am taking a refresher course just to be sure. How much math do nurses encounter daily and how difficult are the calculations?

Thank goodness, I don't usually have to do much math.

Because of that, I don't trust myself. (If you don't use it, you lose it.)

I use a calculator and check with another nurse, then I call Pharmacy to verify any calculated dose.

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.

not much.. thank goodness.. i hate math... and math hates me... i have no idea how i got through RN school..lol... by a wing and a prayer

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In adult ICU there is a fair amount of math. The pump will do it for you, but you need to know enough to see if the pump is giving you a logical answer. It becomes common sense after awhile. The more you use certain medications, the more you become familiar with the math involved. I have a lot of concentrations memorized (ie, vasopressin is 20u/100ml, dosed in units/min). That way I can mix & hang it in a hurry.

I wouldn't worry too much right now. I wasn't familiar with the kinds of calculations we do until I was taught in my nursing program - & didn't solidify until I was in practice, because then I used it every day. As a student you will have opportunities to practice with an instructor by your side. You won't be doing it on your own.

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thanks to all who responded. I definitely appreciate it. I did not have calculus (i had stats in undergrad) but i think i will be OK. Still I should take a math refresher course, I think.

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Hello to all student nurses

If you need help with maths as we all do.

you can Google Maths for nurses.

3rd down on page a PDF file

Mathematics practice for nursing and Midwifery.

this is safe and very good info

good luck.

SandieO

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