I'm begging for advise

purplemania, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2003

You might need to talk to a professional about your anxiety. It can control your life and distort your perception of things. Aside from that, statistics is not like algebra. It is more like "word problems", but you still have to focus on it and every nursing course. Can you do this while anxiety-ridden? You might consider a sabbatical from academics until you get settled in to your new life. Regardless of who moves, you and your daughter would have been separated at some point. I think you are undergoing a LOT of changes at once and may feel overwhelmed. Take care of you for a while, then get back in the mainstream.

Sheryl H · Oct 10, 2003

purplemania,

Thank you very much for your time. I appreciate your words and will think about what you said.

Thanks a zillion,

S

laurasc · Oct 10, 2003

In terms of the math, at least in my experience, it's pretty basic. I have no problems with it and I'm really hopeless when it comes to math. I usually carry a little metric conversion calculator around with me when I work.

Laura

EastCoast · Oct 10, 2003

Hi there. obviously you are a strong person or you wouldn't be in the place you are. that being said i would say first and foremost take a breath. compared to the rest of your life getting through statistics will be a cake walk.

you should understand that the main premise of stats is to teach you how to be able to at least understand a research paper jargon. there are formulas used and most professors will often post these during exams but by then most students have memorized them. it is not a big deal class and with a reasonable amount of work you should do well in this.

now regarding 'formulas and meds' in nursing. again, basic repetive steps. learn some fundemental things and it will carry you through your career. if you can't remember something there are a lot of resources. secondly, the math is very very basic in nursing. we are not talking about advanced calculus. even your algebra is more advanced than nursing math. To make yourself feel better perhaps in the interium you should take a 'refresher' or a not for credit class in fundemental mathematics. At the least use the numerous resouces at your finger tips to learn.

If you assume the fatalistic attitude of 'i can't do math' then you will fail. get over that fear. This is math that your daughter has done countless times. Ask her to help you. It is a big a deal as you allow it to be. In nursing today so much of what a nurse does for calculation is figured out before hand by pharmacy that assuring your answers match theirs is the first step. If they don't then you sit down and figure out why. You can do it. One step at a time.

Perhaps start with an ADN?? Only b/c of time issues and monies spent already.

Sheryl H · Oct 10, 2003

WOW..Thank you for that encouragement. That helped ALOT.. It means so much comming from those with expertise.

Feeling great!

Thank you so much,

Sheryl

MandyInMS · Oct 10, 2003

MATH anxiety....I had it TOO...I was scared 'poopless' that I would fail b/c of math.There the teacher stood at the board babbling on and on in what seemed to be a foreign language.What did I do? freak out!!! it's funny now, but then I was sooo scared..would all this work be for nothing? have I come all this way to fail near the end? It's like I had this mental block about math..I would freeze..totally blank. But guess what? I passed and so can you I asked the teacher for help after class...was still lost..got several diff classmates to try to help me and was about to give up...until I found that one special person who was able to explain the calculations to me in a way that I could understand...it was like a light bulb went off in my head..I was like..Is that ALL it is to it? seemed so easy after that..passed my final math exam with a perfect score.If I can do it ANYBODY can Best of luck to youuuu (((hugzzzz)))

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 10, 2003

still have math anxiety YEARS after I finished college algebra. DO NOT EVEN let THAT stop you from pursuing a BSN. I,too,used to believe I did not have the brains to finish nursing school. Welp 6 years after graduating, let us just say, I no longer feel this way.

If you have a dream, GO FOR IT....don't let anything stop you and when you graduate, you will be SO PROUD you made it. It will teach your daughter a lesson or two about life learning and determination as well as the rewards of hard work. DO IT FOR YOURSELF...you sound like you are MUCH more than capable ...

single parenthood is no easy gig. You managed that; you can manage whatever you take a mind to. GO FOR IT.

Best wishes.

Katnip, RN · Oct 10, 2003

If there's such a thing as a mathematical moron, it's me. And I can do drug calculations, most of them in my head now. During school, some places are even allowing the use of calculators since NCLEX allows it now during the exams. There are formulas and al you need to do is use those.

Statistics isn't horrible. It's not really math, and you'll likely do really well. As a matter of fact, a lot of math-phobes tend to breeze through statistics. You'll only need the basics. I'm guessing you'll have to take a research class for your BSN and having a fundamental understanding of statistics helps you how to read a research study.

On the unit at work, I can do most of the calculations in my head. Yes, even I can. For those I can't, I have a calculator, and pocket guide to formulas, and if I'm really unsure, I'll ask someone to double check. Even seasoned nurses sometimes ask.

You can do this, you'll be great. You've got a lot of changes coming, it's going to be awesome. :)

Bambi · Oct 10, 2003

I was also afraid of math. As a matter of fact, it kept me out of school for a very long time. The only way to get over our fears is to face them. Many times I would worry about what if I fail, what if I can't do it, and when I finally faced the issue and came through it, looking back I realized it wasn't as bad as I perceived it to be. All you have to do is say to yourself, 'I can do this'. There are so many people out there that have been in your shoes.

When we realize we are not alone, knowing others have faced the same fears, and the same problems, it gives us hope to face any obtacle in our path. I made it through, and I will say that I didn't do it alone. I got help from my friends and I had people praying for me too. Here is a little advice, when you get started on the path to nursing, make sure you make good use of a study group, they can be a godsend.

Every time you began to doubt and have those negative thoughts, just push them out of your head, and tell yourself, I can do this. Good luck with everything; see it as a new chapter, and a beautiful new beginning. God Bless! ;)

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2003

As is stated above. You can handle math.

Your question "what if I fail"? Um, you take it again, you get remedial help, you get tutors, you back up and take another course to prepare you. You don't give up or loose your nursing career over drips. (Besides, if you can get through the math, when you're a nurse you can let the pharmacy do your calculations for you and there are machines that drip the medicine. :)) So that's the worse case scenario, you fail. But in the end you persevere.

But suppose GASP, you don't fail. Suppose you're calm, cool and collected, and you pass with flying colors. You study, you work very hard, and yes, you struggle.

I would get words like "failure" "panic", etc. out of your vocabulary. You're letting your fear get the best of you. You can't go through all those years of nursing school in that state.

Good luck!

Good luck.

wildwood · Oct 11, 2003

Don't be so hard on yourself. I have a BSN in nursing, and believe me, I'm no whiz at math! After all, they don't expect you to know everything when you start, then there would be no reason to go to school! Best of luck to you.