Need major help regarding nursing math, unique circumstance

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So a little background information - I was raised by a family who doesn't value education much, they wanted me to have an arranged marriage by the age of 18 (I'm 23 now). I was brainwashed to think that this was going to be my fate and there was nothing I could do about it. Therefore, I was sent to a horrible high school and I can honestly say I don't remember learning much while I was there because the quality was poor and my father was very abusive. Needless to say I graduated and did fine in all of my classes without trying to hard, but with one exception - MATH. I've struggled with numbers since I was in grade school. I was placed in the lowest level math classes in high school and they were taught by a football coach who passed out As like free pizza. Anywho, during my battle against the arranged marriage, I applied to a community college and volunteered at a children's hospital. Being that my parents were so strict, I didn't have much of a social life so I spent a lot of time in the hospital. I observed the nurses interacting with the patient's and I just loved what they did, it def. sparked my desire to become a nurse. A couple years later, I had accumulated enough credits taking random classes at OCC and received a great GPA. I took pre-reqs such as psych, bio, microbio, etc. and I did excellent in those classes. I have no problem in any class aside from math, it's such a huge fear of mine that I didn't even bother taking the lowest level math class at OCC because I knew I would fail and I didn't want to risk ruining my GPA. I decided to apply to a private university that has an excellent nursing program and I got in at the age of 21! I waited a year to get into the nursing program and after I finally got in, I worked extra hard in all of my classes and I am now earning a 3.7!!! I def. surprised myself but hard work pays off.

Here's the catch - I did just fine in my Fundamentals of Nursing course last semester (during my sophomore year) but i struggled so much with the math because (as embarrassing as this is to admit, I don't even have my times tables down) I spent hours and hours study the drug dosage calculation book and I managed to pass the quizes without a calculator but the information just will not stick. I passed because the information was fresh in my mind but I didn't have much time to really sit down and try to understand what exactly was going on with the math because I was taking A&P, A&P lab, Pathophysiology and Fundamentals of nursing (huge work load). I have no concept of mathematics, i cannot do long division (despite how many times my math genius boyfriend has tried to teach me) and I am gettin very discouraged because whenever I see anything that has to do with numbers, my mind just goes blank and I panic. :crying2: :confused::cry: i have no idea what to do anymore. I spent hours last semester studying nursing math and trying to get my times tables down but I need to really get it down before my Junior year starts in August. My course load consists of a medsurg course with clinical and a pharmacology course (thankfully since I'm a transfer student that is all I need to take) but I know I will be faced with even more complex math and I really want to do well. I have so much at stake and absolutely no financial, emotional or mental support from my family and I don't have many friends. I live in a different state and it's very tough trying to keep up with all of these students at my university who went to college prep schools and don't have much to worry about aside from getting good grades. I have a lot on my plate but my main concern right now is to better my math skills.

My question is - where should I start? I cannot afford to hire a tutor, I've tried making flashcards and I still have my nursing drug calculation workbook from last semester as well as many tools / youtube clips I've found online but I'm not sure if I should start from scratch and teach myself how to multiply / divide or should I just jump into the nursing dosage calculation book and focus on that?

how much time should i dedicate a day and will I be able to acquire efficient skills by August 21st?

I am sorry this post is so long but I would really appreciate any help / advice. Thank you so much.

:nurse:

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Sounds more like math anxiety, which is exactly the reason I left high school not even knowing how to add or subtract a fraction. I eventually had to learn math for my engineering degree. So I bought a bunch of math books ranging from very basic math all the way to trigonometry. I didn't want the pressure of a math class; I needed to learn at my own pace, so I spent an entire year teaching myself math. But I understand that you basically need to know it now.

The one thing that always works for me when I am faced with math anxiety is knowing that ALL math comes from the very basics: adding and subtracting, which I am very capable of doing, and I think you are capable too.

In nursing, all we need to know thus far is conversions, fractions, ratios, decimals, division, and multiplication--everything I just mentioned can all be traced back to basic addition and subtraction; always keep in mind that it's just a different way of solving a problem.

Practice all basic math skills on a daily basis; at least until you can perform them in your head. Move up in complexity as you master each skill. I would spend at least 2 hours per day practicing. I would not recommend practicing for the entire 2 hour block, but break it up throughout the day. Use your dosage calculation book and any other reference material that you can get your hands on.

Here are few sites that are very helpful:

http://www.coolmath.com/

http://www.ixl.com/math/grades

http://www.thatquiz.org/

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Sounds more like math anxiety, which is exactly the reason I left high school not even knowing how to add or subtract a fraction. I eventually had to learn math for my engineering degree. So I bought a bunch of math books ranging from very basic math all the way to trigonometry. I didn't want the pressure of a math class; I needed to learn at my own pace, so I spent an entire year teaching myself math. But I understand that you basically need to know it now.

The one thing that always works for me when I am faced with math anxiety is knowing that ALL math comes from the very basics: adding and subtracting, which I am very capable of doing, and I think you are capable too.

In nursing, all we need to know thus far is conversions, fractions, ratios, decimals, division, and multiplication--everything I just mentioned can all be traced back to basic addition and subtraction; always keep in mind that it's just a different way of solving a problem.

Practice all basic math skills on a daily basis; at least until you can perform them in your head. Move up in complexity as you master each skill. I would spend at least 2 hours per day practicing. I would not recommend practicing for the entire 2 hour block, but break it up throughout the day. Use your dosage calculation book and any other reference material that you can get your hands on.

Here are few sites that are very helpful:

http://www.coolmath.com/

http://www.ixl.com/math/grades

http://www.thatquiz.org/

Thank you so much, that truly helps, I will take your advice. I also found a youtube channel that teaches basic math from scratch and is very helpful. Thank you again. :)

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Contact your facility's disabled student dept. Your problem with math may qualify you for assistance.

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when it comes to nursing math i threw out my med calculations book because it did nothing but confuse me. want over have times delivery gives me every thing i need for example 324 mg of ASA is what i want. i have 162 mg pills 325/162*1 pill = 2 pills. another 10 mg morphine ordered i have 5 mg per 2 ml 10mg / 5 mg * 2 ml = 4 ml to give pt. when you get in to drip rates it is the same thing amount (want) over time in minutes (have) times Gtt factor so 100ml in 8 hrs through 10 gtt tubing (delivery) looks like this 8 hours times 60 minutes = 480 1000 over 480 * 10 = 20 gtt per min

Hope this helps a little this will work every time and is always correct.

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Specializes in Step-down, cardiac.

I absolutely agree with @LadyinScrubs--talk to your school's disable students counselor! It sounds like not only math anxiety and a poor math preparation due to your background, but possible dyscalculia (which is just like dyslexia, but with numbers instead of words). I think they would be happy to help you, especially given your special circumstances. Honestly, if you did well in A&P, patho, and fundamentals all at once, particularly with a poor educational background and your family history, I think you are going to make a fantastic nurse! You certainly have the strength for it.

Also, check Kahn Academy at kahnacademy.org. They have literally hundreds of free videos on math, starting with basic arithmetic, that might be a big help. Start with the easiest stuff, the stuff you can already do, and work at moving up through the skill levels every day.

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One of those G.E.D. Math Review books might help you, too. (GED stands for General Equivalency Diploma or something like that. It's supposed to be the equivalent of a high school diploma in the USA, for people who didn't finish high school and get an actual high school diploma.) GED-level math is what the pre-nursing entrance exams test you on. It's basic arithmetic and a little of algebra. Multiplication tables are what you need to know for both multiplication and long division, what times what = what, and how many times what goes into what for the division problems.)

Ratios, proportions, fractions, etc. -- all of that will be in those GED math books, or you can probably find an online site with the same kind of information.

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Thank you all for your help I appreciate it!

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Algebra for Dummies worked great for me.

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I want to thank the posters for helping and encouraging the op. To the op I say: you sound like an exceptional person to me. Others including myself have overcome so much to get where we are. You are not alone, and I do feel you'll be a success. I want to wish you the very best, and all the others who struggle. I am right this minute sending all of you the very best positive thoughts :).

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I am having the same issues, but I will say the one thing that has helped me a lot is watching You Tube videos!!!! That's how i have learned math!!! Type in the subject, like fractions, ratios, conversions, etc. Hope this helps!!

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I was always very hesitant with math. I never did well in high school so In college, I took the most basic class that I knew I could come out well in. It helped me to review/ relearn and helped build my confidence in my math skills. many schools offer free tutoring/ resource centers that will help for free, I would look into that!

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