Math testing requirements

[Nursetastic]

What kind of math testing/requirements does your school have? What I mean is, in my school all 4 levels are given a 25 question dosage/calc test each semester before classes start. The exams get progressively harder and more detailed as you advance in knowledge. Our levels 1 & 2 require 95% to pass and be allowed to continue in the program, our levels 3 &4 are required to get 100% in order to continue. If a student does not pass on the first try, they are granted a second attempt. If they do not pass the second attempt they are counseled by their faculty advisor and must write a professional request to take the test a third time. Basically, they have to show how they plan to succeed and why they should be given the opportunity to continue. If they are granted the third try and fail, there is no other option but to reapply for admission the next term.

Is this pretty standard? I think it is fair (I passed on the first try), but many of my classmates (who did not pass the second test today) are VERY upset and want to take the issue to the president of the school if necessary. This is a new program policy put into effect this semester; prior to this semester pass rates were 90% for levels 1 &2 and 95% for levels 3 & 4. We were notified in plenty of time to prepare and study, and the rules were made VERY clear prior to testing. BTW, each exam has one extra credit question that I know was a "gimme" on my test and have heard was just as easy on the other levels.

[obicurn]

What's unfair about it? Hasn't anyone explained to them that they can't kill 5 or 10% of their patients by making medication errors?

You need to be able to do the math right EVERY time.

In my program, it's 100% or go home. You get 3 attempts per semester.

The only thing I'd like to see done different is for the school to actually provide medical math classess within the program.

We are given a Dosage Calc book with an online course that is self-study. This week, we had to get through 5 chapters, along with the rest of our nursing stuff. It's a pain, but necessary.

[Nursetastic]

We are offered the opportunity to attend math review sessions the day before testing each semester. I have attended them all; they are taught by the same instructor who has been teaching dosage/cal for over 10 years. She is great! The students with problems are the ones who either didn't attend or didn't stay the entire time. Its a matter of taking the time and effort into reviewing and practicing. I also utilize an online tutorial that is available to us. I have very little sympathy for those crying about not passing. Suck it up and WORK! I hate the phrase "weeding out", but that is exactly what this is going to do. No complaints from me. I'd expect to be kicked out if I was a danger to my patients.

[obicurn]

:yeahthat:

[shoegalRN, RN]

No, this is very reasonable.

My school gives drug calculation test at the beginning of every semester. First semester we had to score 80%. Second and Third semesters we had to score 95%. Fourth semester (and final one) we had to score 100%. I passed each time. Thank God!

If you don't pass, you are given 2 more attempts. If you don't pass on the third try, you fail the semester and have to wait out for a year to attend class since the class is only offered once a year.

I agree with a poster who said you should get it right 100% each time. Just think the one question you missed could actually kill a patient.

My school doesnt teach drug calculation classes either. It's a BSN program and they require you to have Algebra as a pre-req prior to attending. So far, the drug calc tests have been alot easier than Algebra ever was to me and I suck at math.