How much math is involved in day-to-day nursing?

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Sooo basically math isn't my strong point at all.... Especially when I'm nervous and under a lot of pressure

I'm a good critical thinker and good at science. I'm also cheerful and can really connect with people. But math has always made me miserable.... It doesn't hinder me ever because I have a calculator when I need one; but I keep reading about how nurses have to do complex mathematical equations to calculate medicine doses

I got into an entry nursing masters program and don't knownif I should accept the admission because if this!!! Please advise!

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Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.

You will need to master math.

You will have to study and take classes to master the process of calculations. We've all had to learn it. It can be done. You're going to have to learn a lot more that just calculations... If your good at critical thinking, that is a plus.

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You will need to master math.

You will have to study and take classes to master the process of calculations. We've all had to learn it. It can be done. You're going to have to learn a lot more that just calculations... If your good at critical thinking, that is a plus.

Thanks for the response

Can you give me examples of the types of mathematical equations you have to do in a daily basis?

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma/Critical Care Nursing.
You will need to master math.

You will have to study and take classes to master the process of calculations. We've all had to learn it. It can be done. You're going to have to learn a lot more that just calculations... If your good at critical thinking, that is a plus.

I know this is going against the grain, but I disagree. I have NEVER been good at math, I highly doubt I will ever be good at math, however I think of myself as more than competent as a nurse. Sometimes I still struggle with basic math in my head, but as the OP said, I carry a calculator or use the one on my phone. If I am ever unsure, and especially with pediatric doses, I have another person verify my dosing. I have honestly never had any pushback, or negativity from others for this. So don't beat yourself down, I have worked with nurses with different struggles such as dyslexia and they are all great at what they do.

Hope that helps :)

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Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.

It depends where you are working...math is used frequently with dosage calculations, administration of medications, understanding reading of syringes and different units of measurements, conversions, iv flow rates, gastric feedings, flushes, simple intake and output measurements, calculating telemetry strips, understanding lab values, obtaining specimens....etc.

Depending on your scenario.

Depending on what is ordered, how meds are sent to us....

You can Google nursing math for examples. I use algebraic equations when I need to. But nursing math can be a couple different formulas.

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It depends where you are working...math is used frequently with dosage calculations, medications, conversions, calculating telemetry strips.

Depending on your scenario.

Depending on what is ordered, how it is sent to us.

You can Google nursing math for examples. I use algebraic equations when I need to. But nursing math can be a couple different formulas.

What type of nursing do you practice?

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Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.

I am a staff nurse. Good luck with your Math. If you really want it, study it and master it.

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Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.

Where I have came from....you don't get to clinicals unless you ace dosage calculations.;)

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It's honestly very very basic math for the most part. General arithmetic. And where I work 99 percent of the time, everything is precalculated by a computer for me. I can double check the calculation in my head but I never need to do any crazy hard math.

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It's honestly very very basic math for the most part. General arithmetic. And where I work 99 percent of the time, everything is precalculated by a computer for me. I can double check the calculation in my head but I never need to do any crazy hard math.

Thanks everyone for your answers!

What setting do you work in?

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Thanks everyone for your answers! What setting do you work in?

Hospital

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma/Critical Care Nursing.

Emergency Department

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