I'm 21 years old and in CNA courses, and I've met the pre-reqs for my LPN, but in order to do the LPN to RN program I will have to get all the way to statistics from where I am now which is intermediate algerbra.
I am feeling pretty discouraged, I can get through math, it just takes me so much longer than everyone else and I'm guessing it will be at least another year before I can get all the way to statistics.
Has anyone else struggled with math? Is there a point where you should just give in to your poor math skills and choose a different route?
I have a really hard time with math, but I got a B in stat. If I can do that, ANYONE can pass it. FWIW, that's the highest grade I've gotten in a math class since grade school. I'm the proud owner of a BA thanks to that statistics class.
If it just takes you longer to do the equations, talk to the prof ahead of time and see if you can't get extra time to do the work. And yeah, learning the general equations can make a huge difference. Once you recognize a quadratic equation, for instance, you know how to solve it. It's a foreign language and you have to understand the syntax and grammar. But once you do that, you know you already have the vocabulary down.
To go from intermediate algebra to statistics really isn't that far a jump, and it's actually pretty interesting. You'll never read another article with numbers in it the same way again. Or that stupid "Fifteen minutes can save you 15%" ad? Fifteen percent off what? The highest rate? My current rate? What Mario Andretti pays? WHAT? It's a lot more useful, in a kind of academic way, than plain old algebra or arithmetic. It will change the way you look at the world. So don't go into it being scared, think of it as a doorway to a new kind of skepticism. :chuckle
I will have to get all the way to statistics from where I am now which is intermediate algerbra.
I am feeling pretty discouraged, I can get through math, it just takes me so much longer than everyone else and I'm guessing it will be at least another year before I can get all the way to statistics.
Has anyone else struggled with math? Is there a point where you should just give in to your poor math skills and choose a different route?
The purpose of those classes, especially Statistics, is that once you have a BSN you'll be able to read studies and make choices in evidence based practice. You won't be out on the floor every day thinking, "hmmm, if I push this patient in the wheelchair at a velocity of 15 miles an hour toward that patient on the stretcher coming around the corner, who is going slightly faster because of the two techs pushing him, what would their closing speed be?"
Once you're actually in the program you'll have to work through a few extremely simple equations and then use them over and over again. Don't let the math scare you off. It's helpful in advanced practice, it gets you thinking in a logical way, but it isn't something you'll have to wrestle with from day to day.
I had an Algebra Professor (a million years ago) and his catch phrase was "Anyone that can learn to speak and write correctly in the english language can learn algebra and higher level math." In math the rules are always the same, in english the rules change depending on the variables.
He also blamed the physics and chemistry folks for scaring students away from math and sciences, by complicating simple solutions for the sake of complication.
Don't give up on nursing because of Math. I am SOOOOO horrible at Algebra. I used to get physically sick (literally) each time I went to my Algebra class because I hated it so bad and didn't understand what was going on. I failed it the first time I took it, and the ONLY reason that I managed to get through it the second time is because my twin sister took it with me and walked me through it and because I had a wonderful teacher that let us use a 3x5 card with whatever we wanted to write on it on the Algebra test. However, when I took Statistics, it was completely different. I made an A in there without needing any outside help at all. It just made so much more sense to me and was nothing like that Algebra mess. I am also doing fine on the Math in nursing school. We have a dosage calculation test each semester in nursing school that we have to make a 90 or better on in order to stay in the nursing program. I have passed all of them without any problem. Please believe me when I say that if I can do this, you can do it. Don't let anything stop you from reaching the goals you set for yourself.
Have you ever been tested for learning disabilities? This is a definite possiblity if you are doing well in other subjects but just suck at math. Let me tell you a story.
My youngest daughter was diagnosed with math-related learning problems when she was in grade school. She was provided with specific 'tools' that could help her with math courses -- like using different colors to make it more visual than abstract. Because of her official diagnosis, she was provided with extra help in High School & College. She even managed to squeak through college algebra! We realized that any sort of math-oriented career was not in the cards for her. However, she ended up with an MFA (fine arts) and is a successful theater costume designer today.
Sometimes, life just throws you a curve and you have to re-write your own script. Rather than make yourself miserable with limited success in the long run, it may be better to re-evaluate your goals.
Have you ever been tested for learning disabilities? This is a definite possiblity if you are doing well in other subjects but just suck at math. Let me tell you a story.
My youngest daughter was diagnosed with math-related learning problems when she was in grade school. She was provided with specific 'tools' that could help her with math courses -- like using different colors to make it more visual than abstract. Because of her official diagnosis, she was provided with extra help in High School & College. She even managed to squeak through college algebra! We realized that any sort of math-oriented career was not in the cards for her. However, she ended up with an MFA (fine arts) and is a successful theater costume designer today.
Sometimes, life just throws you a curve and you have to re-write your own script. Rather than make yourself miserable with limited success in the long run, it may be better to re-evaluate your goals.
I'm just saying. . . .
I also have some learning disabilities related to math. I think getting evaluated is a great idea.
I do want to stress though that having an LD doesn't mean you can't learn math...it just means you need to figure out how your head needs to learn it. I'm doing fine with the math in my nursing program and I'm a chemistry minor! So, it's possible :)
cmonkey
613 Posts
I have a really hard time with math, but I got a B in stat. If I can do that, ANYONE can pass it. FWIW, that's the highest grade I've gotten in a math class since grade school. I'm the proud owner of a BA thanks to that statistics class.
If it just takes you longer to do the equations, talk to the prof ahead of time and see if you can't get extra time to do the work. And yeah, learning the general equations can make a huge difference. Once you recognize a quadratic equation, for instance, you know how to solve it. It's a foreign language and you have to understand the syntax and grammar. But once you do that, you know you already have the vocabulary down.
To go from intermediate algebra to statistics really isn't that far a jump, and it's actually pretty interesting. You'll never read another article with numbers in it the same way again. Or that stupid "Fifteen minutes can save you 15%" ad? Fifteen percent off what? The highest rate? My current rate? What Mario Andretti pays? WHAT? It's a lot more useful, in a kind of academic way, than plain old algebra or arithmetic. It will change the way you look at the world. So don't go into it being scared, think of it as a doorway to a new kind of skepticism. :chuckle