I dont think I will make it as a nurse...

Bigmama · Jan 10, 2004

Hello.... I posted a similar situation the other day, so I know exactly how you feel. My GPA is a 2.1 because of some bad grades previously. One in particular is math. I took it once and got an incomplete and then had to take it again and got a C. Meanwhile , the other classes I took with the math kinda got put second because SO MUCH homework is requred for math and the rest of the classes are just generally reading and memeorizing.

Try taking some non-science classes next semester to bring your GPA up. Developmental psych, soc or Ethics, they are alot of reading. That's what I plan on doing, this semester and the summer. It's sucks we are suffering because we can't get thru math!

kwagner_51 · Jan 10, 2004

FutureNurse2006,

I am 42 y/o, [will be 43 on Jan. 16 ] have 4 kids, 17, 13, 11, and 9, and a wonderful husband. I too, struggle with math. I HATE IT!!! I did ok in Pre-Algebra and Beginning Algebra but did TERRIBLE!!! in Intermediate Algebra. Does your school have a math lab/tutor? Mine does and I literally lived in the lab for my Intermediate class!!

I agree with you about having to repeat classes. I found that Elementary Chemistry was mostly math. Organic and bio chem didn't have nearly as much math. A & P was interesting.

You can achieve your goals IF you decide that NOTHING is going to stop you. I became extremely embarrassed after seaching online for chem, math and A & P sites. I found out that the Chem and Math classes were Junior High School classes!!! That decided me. I AM smart enough to learn what some pipsqeek 13-14 y/o can learn. Everytime I got frustrated, I repeated that over and over. Also, I have on a board, beside desk a quote from someone's signature on this board:

"When God leads you to it....He WILL lead you through it!"

My 9 y/o has that saying scrolling across his PC screen, because he is struggling to read at grade level. He told me just the other day that it really helps and he knows that God is guiding him.

AmyLiz · Jan 10, 2004

I agree. Get thee to a non-science/math course next term to pull up your GPA!

As for math...utilize everything your school has to help. Tutors, math-help rooms, whatever they might have to offer. Ask your instructor or call the math department to find out what is available to you.

RNSuzq1, RN · Jan 10, 2004

Hi FutureNurse,

Like one of the previous posters - I'm also trying to do this at age 42. Many of us have been out of "Math" for years and it is a struggle getting back into it and trying to remember it all.

I have to take the Math/Algebra placement test in 2 weeks and luckily have my College Son and Husband tutoring me - but I know it's not going to be easy. It will be the first test I've taken in 20 years - I'm imagining myself walking in, looking at the exam -my mind going blank and walking out again!!! Really hope that doesn't happen.

Having previously worked in the medical field I do know (depending on what type of Nursing you plan to do) there is a great deal of math and chemistry involved in the job. My husband is a Respiratory Therapist and keeps telling me that if I end up working in an ICU or CCU Unit (or something similar) I'll have to know how to calibrate the machines, read lab results etc. - this is where the math/algebra and chemistry will really come into play and you'll want to know your stuff. Even things such as drawing up medications and monitoring IV fluids require some math skills.

Luckily you are only 25 - that's still very young and if you have to and want to - you have plenty of time to reach your goals. Good Luck to All of Us!!!! :)

mauser · Jan 10, 2004

At 46 I decided to become a nurse. I had done well in math in high school, but get real - this is almost 30 years later! I bought a book called "Forgotten Algebra," and I did it. It took me ALL summer to get thru it. There were tears and fears, but luckily I had my high-school age daughter to explain things that I didn't understand.

When I took the chemistry course (never had it in high school), I looked online for sample tests and articles. I bought books like "The Idiot's Guide to Chemistry" and others.

I was determined. I did great. You will, too. Find what works for you (books, tutor, extra studying) and give it your BEST shot!

Good Luck!

Catma63 · Jan 10, 2004

I'm 40 years old and to be truthful, I lost count how many times I'd break into tears while studying math during my prereqs because I felt so stupid, so brain-locked!

Self-doubt is something we all struggle with from time to time, I think. However, when you feel that way, use it in a positive way by showing it what you're made of. Sit down and practice, practice, practice. Seek aid from a math tutor! Tutors are usually provided to students on campus for free.

As for delaying your time, you're young! You've got plenty of time! Look at the lot of us who are 40 and above....Heck, there's one student in my nursing class who is 53!

Just practice....You will be SURPRISED at how you'll eventually get it! And your friends are right. The studies WILL get harder...harder for you! Harder for them! Like everyone else will have to do, you'll have to study, study, study. Learn what works for you best when studying.

You'll need to be familiar with math when in nursing courses. A lot of them start you out by giving you a dosage/calculations test. If you don't pass it, you're dismissed. However, you must know that the majority of students have been right where you are and they did it and so can you!

Don't ever let yourself think that you can't do something others have done.

FutureNurse2006 · Jan 10, 2004

Wow, I thought I was the only one going through this. Your storys now still gives me hope that I can still do better and its not the end of the world. I'am really strugling with math and don't have anyone at home to help me but I do take advantage of the free tutoring the college offers. Hopefully I do better on this math test I will be taking next week if not then just repeat the math remedial course and do better. Definetely I will try to do better next semester and bring my gpa up. Good luck to all of you and I'am sure we will all make it through these difficult times........ Just study study study and practice practice practice........ :kiss

Catma63 · Jan 10, 2004

That's the key word, exactly! Practice! Practice! Practice!

Truuuuuuuuust me, you're going to be fine! Just fine!

ava'smomRN · Jan 10, 2004

Hey don't feel bad! You can do it. we all have our trouble areas. I am 19 and I failed my intermediate algebra class the first time i took it and he second time i took it i only got a c. my gpa has also recently dropped because i got three c's this past semester and only one b. and to make matters worse, to ge into my program i have to get an A in microbiology and i have to retake a science class and get an A just to bring my gpa to a 2.75. So good Luck and know that with hard work and dedication im sure you can do it:)

LauraLou · Jan 10, 2004

I found there are two main ways to mess up algebra problems; (1) You don't understand how to do that type of problem (2) You make mistakes with simple arithmetic, positive/negative signs or other silly mistakes. What helped me was tutoring from the math lab, doing all the homework and working very slowly. I found that I often thought I understood something when the prof did it on the board, but when I tried to do the homework, I realized I didn't really understand. So by doing all the homework, I knew what areas I needed help on. We had a free tutoring lab and I went there a lot to get help learning how to do different types of problems. I was also very careful when I did the problems. I went step-by-step, never taking any shortcuts. I did each part of the problem slowly and made sure I hadn't made any silly mistakes. It took me a really long time to finish the tests, but it made a big difference. I tried not to let myself get too upset or frustrated because that caused me to make more mistakes. You can do it!