On our first dimensional analysis exam coming up, our instructor says we won't be allowed to use our own personal calculators because we could "store the conversions in it"?!
Here's the problem with that: cheap, ****** calculators (which i'm sure is what will be used) have a difficult time with registering keys 100% of the time.
My TI-30X IIS has never had such a problem.
There's a reset button on the calculator. If I demonstrate that I've reset the calculator before taking the test, is it fair for her to prohibit me from using it?
I don't have a problem with using a basic calculator, but the sensitivity problem is actually a real issue. If I knew the calcs we're given were quality ones that have near perfect key registration (as my TI does), I wouldn't be worried. Of course, there's no way for me to ensure this.
Use the calculators provided and follow the rules. If you press lightly on the keys and think the numbers aren't registering, then do it manually. Dosage calculation problems are the least of students' worries...FYI, they aren't even considered to be at the passing level on NCLEX (I.e. they are below basic).
We weren't allowed to use our own calculators during ANY type of exam in nursing school. We could only use the calculator on the computer. They were preparing us for taking the NCLEX, where you cannot use any calculator but the one on the computer.
On my phone, I have several different apps that can do many different kinds of calculations. While I generally trust the outputs, I make sure that the apps are accurate by doing the calculations and conversions myself and check the app against the app. Yes, I do it the "old fashioned way" and know how to do the calcs using a calculator too. You'd be amazed at some of the inaccuracies that can be in those apps.
(cue best old lady waving cane voice)... back in the day, we did them all on scratch paper and had to show our work. No calculators allowed. So be thankful you can use one at all and use the cheapie =). A graphing calculator is certainly not needed and you should be checking your keypresses as you go anyways - this is not an accounting class where you are trying to type in a pile of figures as fast as you can. =)
I could totally see why they would make you use the schools, I saw people cheat using the TI calculators allllll the time in high school. You can type in messages or equations into the calculator before the test. We can't wear hoodies, hats, keep water bottles at our desk because people have all used these to cheat in the past. The calculators seem pretty obvious.
Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.
We are not allowed to use our own calculators, no matter how basic. They have a bin of cheap calculators in the front of the class on test day and we can grab one to use for the test. I've never had a problem with them. Well, there was that time when one of the buttons was missing. I just got another one and I was good to go. It's not the big of a deal. I wish that was the biggest dragon to slay in nursing school.
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amber_energy_RN
28 Posts
Use the calculators provided and follow the rules. If you press lightly on the keys and think the numbers aren't registering, then do it manually. Dosage calculation problems are the least of students' worries...FYI, they aren't even considered to be at the passing level on NCLEX (I.e. they are below basic).