Is this a standard requirement?

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Mar 20, 2016

I've seen that some programs implement this, but my program doesn't.

angelicGrace · Mar 20, 2016

Our program requires a 95 with on two tries to complete it or be kicked from the program.

RNcali22 · Mar 20, 2016

My program required that but you had 3 tries

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Mar 20, 2016

We had to get a 90 or 95% for term 3, I can't remember. It was a paper and pencil test, which is more my style for math. I got 100%.

Term 4 we had a computerized math test, I didn't pass due to the rounding rules being unclear on the computer. We had to earn 95%. I got 96 after a second attempt.

If we didn't pass, we weren't allowed to continue. The tests were given in the first weeks of school.

tbird88 · Mar 20, 2016

Thank you everyone for the feedback. It appears that this Medication Calculation Proficiency is a norm but has some variation in regards to accuracy rate and attempts. It is a standard that is doable obviously become there are those of you who were successful. I am concerned about my mathematical abilities and think 0 errors is steep, however I realize that this would be a requirement. Should I base my selection of a nursing program based on this requirement or suck it up and be prepared to handle this requirement at this particular college?

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Mar 20, 2016

Thank you everyone for the feedback. It appears that this Medication Calculation Proficiency is a norm but has some variation in regards to accuracy rate and attempts. It is a standard that is doable obviously become there are those of you who were successful. I am concerned about my mathematical abilities and think 0 errors is steep, however I realize that this would be a requirement. Should I base my selection of a nursing program based on this requirement or suck it up and be prepared to handle this requirement at this particular college?

Suck it up. You can get books to help you practice dosing/medication math. Many programs offer remediation for nursing students to improve their calculation accuracy and ability. It's not harsh, it's necessary but it's also doable. Be confident. You can meet thus challenge

Accuracy in drug calculations is critical to not make an error and cause grave harm to patients. High alert drugs quite often require calculations and verification. Pediatric dosing is another area where accurate calculations are critical.

BBboy · Mar 20, 2016

Its a pretty standard requirement i'd say. Some schools in my area allow unlimited attempts to get the 100, mine just requires a 90% by the second attempt. I'd say its a good one to have though since med errors can be pretty deadly..

chare · Mar 20, 2016

...I am concerned about my mathematical abilities and think 0 errors is steep, however I realize that this would be a requirement...

While this might seem "steep" to you, in the clinical setting, that one error could kill your patient.

AspiringNurseMW · Mar 20, 2016

Mu program goes by semester. 1st semester you can get 4 wrong, 2nd semester 2 wrong. My 2nd year, you need 100%. However we don't right away start with EVERYTHING. 1st semester was basically conversions and abbreviations, basic med math , 2nd semester was that plus basic IV & drip rates. 3rd semester will include more, etc.

However it is pretty common. We were giving out meds within the 1st semester, and end med error, no matter how small, has the potential to be lethal.

FatsWaller, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2016

My program gave 3 attempts the first 2 semesters. The first attempt you just need a 90, second you need a 95, third you needed 100%. The last semester you had two tries but needed a 100% both times. The test gets harder and encompasses more calulation types as you progress. Like a previous poster said, in the clinical setting, miscalculating can kill a patient, so it's important. I personally didn't know anyone who failed out because of math/dosage calculation competencies. Most programs will have some form of this.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2016

My classmates and I had three chances to achieve a perfect 100 percent score on our dosage calculations test when I was in nursing school. Those who could not earn a 100 percent score were forced to withdraw from the nursing program.

This is to prepare students for the real world of nursing, where a dosage calculation error could really harm a patient depending on the medication involved.