I'm having second thought about being a nurse.

Nursing Students General Students

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Ouch, this is a bummer. I worked hard over the past couple of years to complete A&P and Microbiolgy thinking that I wanted to be a nurse. I've attempted Algebra three times, failed twice and barely passed the third time with a C. Needless to say, I suck bigtime at math and always have. I did really good in all the pre-reqs. I have been accepted into the ADN Program at Glendale Community College and I start Pharmacology and Fundamentals of Nursing June 20, tomorrow to be exact. I will still be working my Paralegal job to which my boss will let me go to class.

I've been having so much anxiety and second thoughts about this. I don't think I should be having this and maybe it's a sign that I should not do this. I've been going over the first 8 chapters in the Calculations Made Easy book for the Phamacology class and I'm so much trouble with the conversions and calculations. Some, I have no clue. I always have and still make mistakes when it comes to math and especially the calculations. Even when I believe I did it correctly, I did it wrong. I spent all weekend doing the problems and studying the material and it boggles my mind.

Bottom line is that I don't feel strong enough or confident enough in doing the calculations (and I may fail this class as a result) to do it if I become a nurse. I don't want to harm anyone, much less kill them with a mis-calculation. I guess my whole heart is not into being a nurse anymore. :confused:

There are plenty of nursing jobs that are during the week, like office jobs. And anyway, I don't think you would have come this far if a little sacrifice wasn't worth it to you. I think you're just having cold feet. Work your butt off, get this math thing figured out once and for all, and then see how you feel.

Cold feet would best describe how I feel.

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This is why I love this site. Your responses are helping, giving me something to think about, thank you.

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Specializes in ICU.
Maybe I am thinking too far in advance because this really bothers me. I decided to pursue a nursing career 4 1/2 years ago when I dated a nurse and she worked at Children's Hospital. She really loved her job and was very satisfied. This influenced me and I decided I wanted a career that was satisfying, a career I could leave at the end of my shift and feel that I did something good by helping people. I still want this and I am trying to shake off the anxiety but it's pretty overwhelming. I truly hope I am making the right decision and can make it through the school.

Maybe you are just worried about this whole math thing, so you're trying to think of other reasons why you might not want to do nursing, just in case you fail. Sort of like a defense mechanism.

I think you should listen to what other people have said--pass the math exam and finish the semester. See how it turns out. You might realize you are still making the right decision. It will definitely be a lot of work, but you're obviously ready for it! And I do believe if you want a career that is satisfying, then you picked a good one.

Good luck1:D:roll

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Specializes in ICU, Cardiology, Mother/Baby, LTC.

shawnrj:

Hello! I have experienced some fears of my own. I just kept telling myself the reasons why I started taking classes toward my nursing degree in the first place. We all get scared. We as nurses have such awesome responsibilities caring for others. It can be overwhelming, especially when we are exhausted, which is most of the time for nursing students. Please sit down and talk with your wife about your concerns. I am sure that she is a very supportive person. Maybe if she gives you the "go-ahead," you will feel much better about continuing the pursuit of your nursing career. Good luck to you, and God bless!

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i think that you should go for it if you really want to, but it sounds like you may be having second thoughts about going into nursing. maybe you are thinking that you wouldn't like it and are just focusing on every potential problem that may arise for a reason to back out. it is ok to change your mind, only you know how you feel about it. take some time to really think about whether you want this or not.

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Maybe you are just worried about this whole math thing, so you're trying to think of other reasons why you might not want to do nursing, just in case you fail. Sort of like a defense mechanism.

I think you should listen to what other people have said--pass the math exam and finish the semester. See how it turns out. You might realize you are still making the right decision. It will definitely be a lot of work, but you're obviously ready for it! And I do believe if you want a career that is satisfying, then you picked a good one.

Good luck1:D:roll

That could be.

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shawnrj:

Hello! I have experienced some fears of my own. I just kept telling myself the reasons why I started taking classes toward my nursing degree in the first place. We all get scared. We as nurses have such awesome responsibilities caring for others. It can be overwhelming, especially when we are exhausted, which is most of the time for nursing students. Please sit down and talk with your wife about your concerns. I am sure that she is a very supportive person. Maybe if she gives you the "go-ahead," you will feel much better about continuing the pursuit of your nursing career. Good luck to you, and God bless!

My wife tells me she supports me with whatever decision I make about this. She knows what we are getting into and supports it. It's hard to leave your comfort zone and traverse into unknown territory, especially at my age, 41, and she understands.

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Shawnrj,

I just want to share a little something with you as well. I have been out of school for some years now, have 2 kids(7) (15) and a husband, and I work full time. And I am just now starting to take my prereq's for nursing, in hope that I even get excepted into nursing school. And guess what...............I am no good in math either but I am going back to the basic's first so when I do get to the hard stuff I will be ready. I was nervous in the beginning because I am 36 and trying to go to college, (big step). So if I can do this you can to. Just pray and ask god to give you directions and help you with your math situation.

If this is a burning desire that you have (like me) then you will overcome all the nerviousess you have and push forward toward your true calling, dream.

Good Luck!!!!

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Shawnrj,

I just want to share a little something with you as well. I have been out of school for some years now, have 2 kids(7) (15) and a husband, and I work full time. And I am just now starting to take my prereq's for nursing, in hope that I even get excepted into nursing school. And guess what...............I am no good in math either but I am going back to the basic's first so when I do get to the hard stuff I will be ready. I was nervous in the beginning because I am 36 and trying to go to college, (big step). So if I can do this you can to. Just pray and ask god to give you directions and help you with your math situation.

If this is a burning desire that you have (like me) then you will overcome all the nerviousess you have and push forward toward your true calling, dream.

Good Luck!!!!

Thanks for the support, and good luck to you as well. :nuke:

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.
It's hard to leave your comfort zone .

I think that is your problem right here and you are not alone. It IS hard to leave your comfort zone!! Some people are ok with change, others about have a heart attack with change.

Math is hard? Well if you want to be a nurse your going to have to learn it, stop making excuses and do something about it. If your not getting it you need to find some help. Only you can help yourself. I personally think you can do it. If you passed (even if it took you 3 times) college algebra, you can do med calcs IMO. And the more you do it, the better you will get.

I think your anxiety about math is freakin you out.

Weekends and nights? Deal with that when the time comes. You have no idea at this point where you going to end up working. All new nurses do NOT work nights, there are many jobs in nursing. But deal with that when the times gets here, not now.

Good luck. I think you should go for it, you can always change your mind later on.

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I think that is your problem right here and you are not alone. It IS hard to leave your comfort zone!! Some people are ok with change, others about have a heart attack with change.

Math is hard? Well if you want to be a nurse your going to have to learn it, stop making excuses and do something about it. If your not getting it you need to find some help. Only you can help yourself. I personally think you can do it. If you passed (even if it took you 3 times) college algebra, you can do med calcs IMO. And the more you do it, the better you will get.

I think your anxiety about math is freakin you out.

Weekends and nights? Deal with that when the time comes. You have no idea at this point where you going to end up working. All new nurses do NOT work nights, there are many jobs in nursing. But deal with that when the times gets here, not now.

Good luck. I think you should go for it, you can always change your mind later on.

Thanks everyone, I'm going to do it and give my best effort. I feel much better.

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Specializes in NICU/L&D, Hospice.

It's always much easier to just give up. :chuckle

There are parts of "nursing education" that we all would rather do without. There will be more challenges down the road. Still, it's one of the most satisfying, life defining things I have ever done. There are plenty of topics here on the forum to help you will your med calcs. Converting is just memorization. You need to find a formula that works for you for doing the calculation. There are two major ones that are used. They work every time. Plug in the numbers. I can't figure out dimesional analysis, so I just use the following formula (commonly used).

ordered(drug dose ordered by the physician)

-------- Xvehicle(drug form in which the drug comes-tab,liquid,etc) =

on hand(drug dose on lable of container)

So, if the doc prescribes Tylenol 650mg PO (by mouth) every 6hrs for pain...

And the Tylenol the pharmacy sends you comes in 325mg per tab...

650mg

------- X1tab =2 tabs

325mg

Ordered: dicloxacillin 100mg PO q8h (every 8 hours)

On hand: dicloxacillin 62.5mg/5mL

How many mL's should the client receive?

Just plug in the numbers...

100mg

---------- X5mL=

62.5mg

500

------=8mL

62.5

I divide first (answer will be the same)

100

-----=1.6

62.5

1.6X5mL=8mL

Most mistakes made are not how you set it up, but "dumb" mistakes, like not paying attention to a problem that want how many mL's in 24 hours (more math), not converting, etc.

You'll do fine! Ask for help. You are in your 40's and there's no better time than the present to get your career going. Don't take the easy way out! Find out what YOU are made of!

I bet you find that it satisfies you like nothing ever has! If not, well...cross that bridge if it comes but have faith in yourself!

Good luck!

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