Math Pre-reqs for Nursing School

rubato, ASN, RN · Mar 6, 2012

Yes and no. Yes, if you don't like math. No, if you do. I'm in college algebra now and I love it, but I'm a math geek.

ProudStudent · Mar 6, 2012

I'll be honest. I took Algebra twice, the second time with an A. You MUST take time to do as many practice problems as you can. There are a lot of formulas and properties to remember and you'll never remember them without practice! In my class, the homework was not required... so guess what?? I didn't do much of it the first time around. The second class... I knew better. I did all the homework, plus more. It's really not hard and I have no intentions of scaring you. Just take the time to work out problems.

daleguthery · Mar 6, 2012

Hmmm, the college I'll be going to doesn't require stats, just Algebra and Geometry.

leenak · Mar 6, 2012

I am mathematically inclined so my opinion is somewhat biased. I've never taken College algebra so I have no opinions on it. As for statistics, the classes vary widely. I took a statistics class in the math department (sometimes different departments offer their own statistics classes). It was a pretty intensive math based course. I liked it a lot though and got an A. If you aren't mathematically inclined, you might want to see if you have different options for statistics.

CDEWannaBe · Mar 6, 2012

Find a good professor from RateMyProssor.com. That makes a huge difference for both classes. It helped me to borrow "Algebra for Dummies" from the library, to see the info presented in a different way. Also know that a lot of Algebra is learning how to use your calculator. Keep up with the homework and attend every class and you should be able to make it.

kdh5139 · Mar 6, 2012

I have not taken statistics yet, but I am currently in College Algebra. I am not particularly good at math, but college algebra has not been too challenging yet. I took an intermediate algebra class last semester which really helped refresh my memory and all of the knowledge from that class has proven to be extremely helpful in College Algebra. I would definitely recommend using ratemyprofessor.com and do your homework just like the other people have mentioned on this post! Also, look to see if any of the college algebra classes have a supplemental learning option which my school does (it's basically another student who is good at math and has passed the class who sits in the class with all the students but they have review sessions every day before or after class to help!) A math lab will help a lot too, they normally offer tutor sessions and help to anyone who asks! Good luck!

willowita, ADN, RN · Mar 6, 2012

College algebra is not hard if you do the homework and memorize formulas. And if you've taken intermediate algebra in the not so distant past, then most of it should be familiar.

I'm taking stats now and it's a different animal. There are formulas but you do almost everything with the calculator's STATS function. It's more about interpreting data, being able to read different graphical representation of data, how to compile data, learning methods for qualitative vs quantitative data. It requires more critical thinking than just plugging numbers into a formula. But I wouldn't say it's hard so far. Just like with anything else, just do the homework, read the book, put in the time to study, and you'll get it.

nguyency77, CNA · Mar 7, 2012

I didn't take college algebra because my SAT score got me out of it. I did have to take stats, though. It was easy for me because it was my second time taking it (I was taking it at the time in high school and decided to go do a little self-remediation; my high school stats teacher was a little incomprehensible, but it wasn't his fault he had a thick accent).

I took it at the CC and I pulled an A without trying too hard.

I think my best advice would be to know your calculator and how it works. Don't be the person sitting in the back of the room in the middle of the test going, "Help! How do you find the p-value again?" If you don't know how to work some features of the calculator, ask! :)

Cherry02 · Mar 7, 2012

I have never taken college algebra. My prior degree didn't require it and neither does the nursing program at my school. I have taken 2 different stats classes, though. The first one was just a basic course and extremely easy. The second one was more advanced, and definitely took some work. We had homework due almost every class...and that definitely helped me memorize the formulas...even though at the time it seemed super stressful and time-consuming. I don't remember any specific subject matter being difficult to learn...it was just the fact you have to memorize a lot of stuff. Sort of like A&P (but not THAT difficult). Good luck!

snow_bear · Mar 7, 2012

I took College Algebra on-line last semester after nearly 20 years of working any kind of algebra problems. It was a nightmare!!!

The interactive math lab was a life saver. I would watch how the problems were worked over and over again, then practice them with assistance before attempting them on my own. I spent at least 2 hours a day on just Algebra and I was also taking A&P I. It wasn't easy, but I got A's in both classes. :)

But, I will never, ever, in a million years take another math class online again!

umbdude, MSN, APRN · Mar 7, 2012

It would depend on your foundation in math. If you have a strong foundation in high school math algebra I & II, maybe some pre-calculus, then college algebra shouldn't be too bad.

Statistics are different. Your goal is to draw conclusions from large set of data, and maybe test your hypothesis. I think it's more interesting, but for some it's harder. Your first course in stats shouldn't be that bad as long as you're not taking it from the math/physics/engineering departments.