How much math?

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Specializes in Freelance Writer, 'the nurse who knows content'.

I read the FAQ, but this wasn't answered.

From a practical standpoint (not for admission to a program), what level of math should I educate myself to? My BSN program only requires statistics, but I'm concerned about how much math is involved in the everyday life of a CRNA. Should I take calculus? Advanced calc?

I want to give myself as good an educational foundation as possible for this career. Your advice sincerely appreciated.

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I dont see any real need to go as far as calculus, you could take the credit hours you would have spent on that and take something that might be useful to you as a crna student like chemistry. The math you will need (im assuming here as I am not a CRNA yet) will be related to drug calculations, flow rates, and maybe some chemistry type equations, all that stuff is just algebra. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

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Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, Oncology.
I dont see any real need to go as far as calculus, you could take the credit hours you would have spent on that and take something that might be useful to you as a crna student like chemistry. The math you will need (im assuming here as I am not a CRNA yet) will be related to drug calculations, flow rates, and maybe some chemistry type equations, all that stuff is just algebra. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

:yeahthat:

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Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, Oncology.

To Focker: Your user name is hilarious!!!

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Haha, thanks, I was in nursing school not too long after the movie came out so all my friends outside of nursing school called me that, all too often mispronounced with a U instead of O.

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I agree with Focker,(I am not a CRNA) . Try to focus more on science classes. I had a couple of interviews and they asked me about my science classes. Unless you want to be a chemist, basic math and algebra is all you need in life. You need to calc. kg with medication. This is just a little information from a CRNA wannatobe.

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I failed calculus miserably and never re-took it. College Algebra and statistics courses are plenty for the amount of math required as a CRNA. I will finish CRNA school next summer and I have never felt I missed something by not having calculus.

Better choices from an anesthesia perspective would be additional Chemistry classes like Organic Chem. or biochem and physics.

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Specializes in Freelance Writer, 'the nurse who knows content'.

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate your guidance.

I will have one full semester with no required classes, so I will take the opportunity to take organic chem or biochem. It won't be so bad if I know it will stand me in good stead later on.

Thanks again!

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