Is anyone else out there currently in an Accelerated BSN program?

[chichi11]

I am new to this site, though I've been following it for a few weeks. I am going to be starting an accelerated program in August. I will attend fall, spring, summer and then finish up the following fall (that is the hope!). Anyway, since deciding to pursue this goal, I did need to take a couple of prerequisites (credits that were too old, like Microbiology and a class I'd never taken A&P I and A&P II.) Now having been accepted, I am scared to death. I had the luxury over the past year of taking one course!!!, and now I am jumping in into the fire. I will not have clinicals the first 8 weeks, but will the second 8 weeks of my semester and then many rotations of clinicals, etc. thereafter.

I have not taken Algebra in YEARS and am probably most nervous about med dosing and calculations. Can anyone tell me what class (or classes) that will be covered in? I would love to study ahead of time to get a little comfort. I see some great sites, but if anyone could recommend a book (that might mean something to someone who has not had class one in nursing yet). How much do you use your math, other than med conversion, is there anything else I may be missing?

My first Bachelor's is in Liberal Studies, so although I did take chemistry in high school (2 years) and in college, it's been a long time.....Oh by the way, did I mention I am chaning careers at 47 years of age. I am really excited, but so worried.....I almost wish I was in the thick of things now because, then I'd just have to perform, ya know?

Anyway, any guidance would be very appreciated. :)

[Streamline2010]

Dosage Calculations - Nursing for Nurses

the units conversions will be this (factor label) method: Lesson 2-4 The Factor-Label Method

Search here for pharmacology or dosage calculations. There are lots of threads. There is a sticky thread here someplace.

Some links here: Pharmacology Help - Nursing for Nurses

There are many threads here with example calculations. For me, with an engineering background, it's mass transfer, fluid flow, and dilution / concetrations of solutions, lol.

[jojofries2]

chichi,

I am currently in the last course of my accelerated BSN program. My previous degree was in business which I completed in 2002. At the start of the program I was a little worried about med. calculations because it has been so long since I took an actual math course but once you work through a few problems they get pretty easy. In the accelerated program that I attend we began working on med calculations in our pharmacology course which was one of the first courses. Every course after that we had a med calculation quiz on either the first or second day of class. We had to obtain a 90% on the quiz in order to pass meds at clinicals. I believe that we are given three chances to pass the quiz in our sophmore and junior level classes and two chances to pass in our senior level courses. Our instructors were really good about posting practice quizzes online prior to us taking the one that counted. If you have any further questions regarding an accelerated program let me know, I am sure there are differences between programs so my experience is sure to be different then yours.

One more thing, you are going to see the people in your program on a regular basis, form friendships, if you are having trouble with the math find someone in your program that excels at it and have them give you some help. My program has 11 people in it, we spend at least 8 hours a day together 5 days a week. They have become my second family. I wish you the best of luck!!

[chichi11]

Thank you Jojofries and Streamline. I appreciate the guidance....I'll get "a...studying!!):)

[CAL05699]

In my accelerated program (which I just finished), we covered med calculations during our first semester in basic nursing skills. We had to get 100% on a test to start clinicals, but we got several chances and several students received extra help. There are several commerical med calculation books out there (some good ones were referenced above) that will go everything step by step. It isn't that hard! I started my accelerated program at age 50 and did fine.

[mammac5]

At least you're being realistic about it! I'm 44 and in an accelerated program (a few weeks finishing up!) and it is doable, even for those of us who are not math lovers.

The math you're going to run into will be pretty limited. We actually use a nursing math book and have different sections of it to do prior to each clinical rotation...but some of the stuff is outdated and not really necessary. For instance, we did a chapter on drip rates for IVs which is something you're only likely to do if you're traveling to a less medically-advanced area since programmable IV pumps are pretty much standard of care in the U.S.

My advice, not that you asked, is to get the REST of your life as much in order as possible because you will be like a gerbil on the wheel running to keep up as soon as classes begin. House maintenance, routine health care/screenings, kids/family/pets/significant other settled, etc. Try to take good care of yourself physically and emotionally. Buckle up and get ready for a wild ride!!