Math

AggieQT · Apr 11, 2007

The problem with math is it is a building course. If you don't grasp the concepts in the basic courses you will struggle to learn them AND the higher level course material in the more advanced courses.

I know it would take some time, and if you really want to learn and grasp math I would suggest taking an intro to Alegebra class that will teach you the fundamentals. From my experience, the people that teach those classes tend to be better TEACHERS and you seem to do well in general algebra, stat, calc and so on when you have a good foundation under you.

Math can be hard, but take it one problem at a time, and I wish you all the luck!

nurse2btracy · Apr 11, 2007

Thanks for the advice. I wanted to take the intro algebra course at my CC and was told that it would do nothing for me since I already took college algebra and passed. I will try again to register for the class and see what they say. It is non-credit but at this point I am willing to try anything.

The funny thing about this is I was going to another school in 2005 and took the placement test for math and they put me in the remedial math.

You are right about the building blocks. I do not have a grasp of basic math so this is why I have such a problem with everything else math related.

Thanks again

Mzshaqui · Apr 18, 2007

Thanks for the advice. I wanted to take the intro algebra course at my CC and was told that it would do nothing for me since I already took college algebra and passed. I will try again to register for the class and see what they say. It is non-credit but at this point I am willing to try anything.
The funny thing about this is I was going to another school in 2005 and took the placement test for math and they put me in the remedial math.
You are right about the building blocks. I do not have a grasp of basic math so this is why I have such a problem with everything else math related.
Thanks again

I think that i can agree with you when you say that you need a building block for math.i started taking math 093 at my CC, and had very good teachers thus far, now i am in intermediate math and i am starting to looking forward to taking more math.... and get this i used to hate math... Sometimes starting from the basics is best, especially if you make math harder than what it is like i seem to do... Good luck, you can do it!

Hope2Be · Apr 27, 2007

I scored a 79.3 as a final grade for basic math. I took it online, and I really just made alot of dumm mistakes on test that cost me dearly. I would get really nervous while taking the exams.

If the teacher would have averaged the test scores and the final grade differently I would have came out of it with a B. I cried for days.. I am one of those people who put an answer down and then second guess myself and then put another, all along the first answer was correct.

I am a returning student after 13 years and this was my first course. I think this will hurt my chances later down the road when I apply for the nursing program....

catzy5 · Apr 27, 2007

The problem with math is it is a building course. If you don't grasp the concepts in the basic courses you will struggle to learn them AND the higher level course material in the more advanced courses.
I know it would take some time, and if you really want to learn and grasp math I would suggest taking an intro to Alegebra class that will teach you the fundamentals. From my experience, the people that teach those classes tend to be better TEACHERS and you seem to do well in general algebra, stat, calc and so on when you have a good foundation under you.
Math can be hard, but take it one problem at a time, and I wish you all the luck!

This is the absolute truth!

If you miss one thing you can't back peddle to catch up. My best guess is somewhere along the line you missed something and you need to find it.

I hated math never even took math in high school I just assumed I never could do it. I got a basic book taught myself a few things so I could take the placement test at school, I was placed in a prealgebra course and really just started over again from scratch, intermediate and college algebra is what gave me the courage to continue on to nursing school I thought boy if I can do that I can do anything. I started over and Got A's in all subsequent classes since.

Lilluv117 · Apr 27, 2007

Tracy, I think you should definitely take a math course and try to get an A because that is probably what is holding you back from getting into the program. I'm not sure how it works but try to find out what teacher is teaching the course and find a course with a great teacher.... It really does matter what teacher you have.

kinntj · Apr 28, 2007

I think you should retake the math class and like others have mentioned, try to find a teacher who is good. Usually if you talk to some other students or go to the math department, they can give you some suggestions.

I haven't taken math since early 90's, so my brain was a little cobwebbed and this semester in 107 (intro to Alg) I've had to work really hard to hold on to a 98% in the class. This teacher gives quizzes almost every class, 6 tests and a final. I'm not a math person, so I'm really struggling, but taking learning math differently this time. I actually want to learn it and improve on my mistakes I make. Plus, this teacher gives us extra credit work after the test day, so we can add 3 points each time.

If you're not a math person, then you really need to work 2-3 times as hard on those subjects, than you would on others. I know I do. I do a little bit of homework every single night to keep it fresh, otherwise I'll forget the rules.

Good luck!

Lilluv117 · Apr 28, 2007

To add to what kinntj said, you should try and get the math now because when you get into the nursing program there is a lot of math when it comes to the medications and I have seen people get kicked out after all the work they've done in clinicals and class because they can't pass the math portion of the class. They take it very serious because an error in dosage could kill someone. A good foundation in math is very important in the nursing program (at least in Nassau's and i'm guessing in most programs).

Lilluv117 · Apr 28, 2007

Oh, and the course I'd recommend for the nursing program is NOT statistics but a good algebra course instead (some schools require statistics but it doesn't make sense to me when calculation of dosage is pretty much all algebra).

WDWpixieRN, RN · Apr 29, 2007

Oh, and the course I'd recommend for the nursing program is NOT statistics but a good algebra course instead (some schools require statistics but it doesn't make sense to me when calculation of dosage is pretty much all algebra).

:yeahthat:

This was a point I was getting ready to make....you HAVE to have that good foundation of basic algebra to get through a nursing program and be a safe nurse for your patients.

If you need the higher grade because it is actually keeping you from getting accepted in to a program, then retake the college algebra if you honestly think you can do better.

If the higher grade isn't the problem, then see about taking a lower-level algebra to get caught up in the basics. It truly is some very BASIC algebra concepts we're using, but you have understand how to use them. Get a good nursing dosage math book to review. We use Calculate with Confidence, but I have seen other books listed in these threads.

Statistics is a course you usually need for a BSN, or higher, program. Unless that's also a requirement where you're applying, I wouldn't concern myself with that class at this time.

Best wishes!!