Math Test for every class?

ames86 · Jun 5, 2013

Congrats on getting in!! I didn't have math test like that but we went over math stuff and then tested on it. In the beginning the math is pretty basic but it gets harder. We were taught everything we needed before having a math test. Having a test after each class sounds like a good way to get it to stick in your head. My first lab was so we could practice our skills and be taught how to use equipment before getting to clinical and using it on a patient.

DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2013

Congrats!!

We have a math test each semester, and it consists of med math (calculate IV drip rates, dose per weight etc)

Nursing lab for us is basically skills lab where you learn to put in foley catheters, dressing changes, medication administration, IV, blood draws etc.

Live.&.Learn · Jun 5, 2013

We have to take a math test each semester and get 100% to stay in the program. This scared me half to death at first until my Nursing 1 instructor stated that she has been teaching for 15 years, and has never lost anyone to math. They are pretty basic dosage calculations and iv stuff. As for lab, this is where we learn skills. We are taught a skill and then have to validate on it, with an instructor, before we can do it in clinical. We have to pass every validation, we have 2 or 3 attempts. It started with vitals (blood pressure, counting respirations, pulses, etc.), head to toe assessments, passing meds, foleys, ng tubes, priming iv's, hanging fluids, iv mini bags, iv push, injections, dressing changes, central venous access devices, etc...Congratulations on getting in :)

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2013

Good day:

From what I've been reading, the math tests vary from college to college, from class to class.

The one summer class I'm taking starting in July has a test every day of the class (which meets four days a week); I'm in pre-nursing.

The nursing dosage calculation class in the school for which I'm going has tests on a regular basis as well.

This just lets you and the instructor know if you are grasping the information; and generally, means what you study is smaller chunks.

Thank you.

DoGoodThenGo · Jun 6, 2013

I just got accepted into the nursing program after years of hard work and dedication. I haven't been to orientation but I hear there is a math test after each class is finish. Can someone explain please. Also can someone explain what nurse lab consist of? I know each school is different but I would like a general idea. Thank you.

Get used to taking med dose calc/pharma exams as they are every where. It is almost certain you will have to take one for every nursing position as part of the hiring process. Most places require passing score of between 95% to 100%, some will allow you retake the exam though.

Basically years ago federal and local state government agencies along with facilities themselves became *very* concerned with the amount of nursing errors. Many of these were either "Five Rights" and or nursing math mistakes and were costing vast sums in both monetary awards. Payout to patients and or their families for malpractice claims were part of this but there is the real human toll of death and or permanent injury.

Long story short places stepped up their game in terms of testing nurses for competence in nursing math and to answer your query informed local nursing programs they had better do so as well.

kellyk21 · Jun 6, 2013

I just got accepted into the nursing program after years of hard work and dedication. I haven't been to orientation but I hear there is a math test after each class is finish. Can someone explain please. Also can someone explain what nurse lab consist of? I know each school is different but I would like a general idea. Thank you.

Thanks so much everyone! Exactly what I needed to know. Youll be seeing more of me, especially once the program starts. ;-)

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Jun 6, 2013

I loved the math quizzes are they are objective while the other material seemed too subjective sometimes. Those quizzes gave me a chance to raise my grade.

Labs can vary considerably. You might have a computer lab where you work on scenarios by yourself. Or you might have manikins with specific "conditions" for which you have to demonstrate an intervention, like changing a sterile dressing. But all of it comes after instruction, so do not sweat it.

Tinkx RN · Jun 6, 2013

Hey there

We have a math quiz every semester in the beginning within the first month of class. But like everyone else our instructors teach us the material first and give us so e time to practice before they test us, so don't worry! The math test is not counted toward our final average but you need a 90% or higher to pass!

Also I'm not sure what nurse lab means to your school but in my school we have skills resting and simulations. Skills testing is learning different skills like wound care, sterile dressing, trach care, iv, ngt care, med admin, etc and after they given us time to practice they test us. Simulation is when they give us a scenario and we act out how we would address it as nurses. It's actually really fun because some of us are nurses, doctors, family members. Its a pass/fail and basically if you participate then you pass but it's not counted toward our grade.

Congrats, good luck and don't stress over this...you got it!

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Jun 6, 2013

We have a med calculation exam at the beginning of every semester. They also but calculations in a lot of the exams. We don't do them after every lecture though, that seems like overkill, and using time that could be better used discussing other important information.

In the labs we learned and practiced assessment skills, fundamental skills (vitals, bed baths, oral care, toileting, NG tubes, bandage changes, Foleys), medicine administration and techniques. In later semesters we learned IV, drawing blood, chest tube care, trach care and other acute/ICU stuff.

This is just how my school worked, yours may do things differently or in different orders.

Congrats on getting in-- I know that is an amazing feeling. :cat:

SunshineDaisy, ASN, RN · Jun 6, 2013

Congratulations! As everyone else has said, we, too, had a math test each semester. 1st semester was simple dosage calculations, 2nd we added in drop factor and drip rates and such. Third semester we did peds math(hardest by far for me) and then 4th it was like 1st and 2nd combined but added in titrating meds and reconstituting meds.

For lab, we learned all out skills there. 1st semester was all the basics (BP, making beds, doing bed baths, head to toe assessments). 2nd semester was more skills (IV starts, trach care, Foley's, NG tube placement, wound cleaning, central line dressing changes). Third semester dealt with mommas and babies and 4th semester was critical care.

MathHatingNurse · Jun 7, 2013

We have one at the beginning of every semester and they get progressively harder. If you do not get at least a 90 percent, you fail the entire class. Nerve-wracking since I hate math, but I passed them all and graduate in about two months. Just keep current with the math by looking at it once a week for a few minutes and you will be good to go.