Nursing Math 109

[smiley777]

Hello All Future Nurses of America,

I am in my 1st year of nursing school (Dayton, Ohio) and I did not pass the math class. I took the prof. math test today to see if I could test out but failed it also. I have to retake the class which I'm totally fine with but need some help and words of encouragement to go on. I am 41 (and single) and I have to work full-time so it makes going through nursing school even more challenging. I'm not complaining about working, God knows I'm blessed to have a job.

I just need to know if someone else has a similar story and could share with me what or how they are/were successful. I do not have young children so I pretty much just have myself to take care of.

The math book we use is Calculate with Confidence by Deborah Gray Morris. I have such a difficult time grasping any kind of math concept:banghead:. Any ideas, suggestions, advice, questions greatly appreciated.

I almost forgot to mention that I cannot start clinicals (which started Mon. March 30th) due to not passing this math. I will be able to take the math over again in the Fall. Until then, I want and need to continue working in this book so if anyone has any suggested readings or supplements I should look into please let me know.

I know I'm going on and on but just need to let this all out to others I know will understand. Part of me want to give up and quit and the other part of me says, "don't do that you've come to far".

Blessings,

[GeneralJinjur]

I'm not a math-intuitive person, either. Does your school have a math tutoring lab? If not, how about your local high school? If you could find someone who explains math in a way that clicks for you, I bet you'll be zipping through the book with ease. You just need to find that special someone. :)

[gdsgrl]

I took that class, I am guessing you are at the local community college in Dayton, that is where I attend.(the one with the long long long waiting list) Go through that book page by page by page, the book is really good if you focus on it. I found the ratio and proportion the easiest method for me to grasp. I also used the CD a lot, I ended up with an A. I had a couple of class mates that didn't follow the book and teacher was hard to follow and they didn't make it. You will use that math all through school and I'm sure in the nursing career.

[daniedi77]

Memorizing the conversions is the big thing. I'm not the greatest in math, but you have to put alot of effort into it. When you break it all down it's really basic math, but most of us haven't had to do basic math in a long time. Don't give up, you'll get through it!! The more you do it, the easier it will be.

[RNnTrainin']

We worked through the whole book. I am pretty good in math, and helped quite a few in my class grasp the concepts. I still have the book, 4th edition. Let me know what you are having trouble with, and I will try my best to explain it. Don't worry, once you get it, you'll "get it". It seems to all come together. Anyway, I'll be happy to help. Are there specific things you are struggling with? Everyone has there own way with these problems. Maybe I can show you a way that will "click" for you. you can send me a email if you would. I keep my email pulled up all the time. Take care!

[shrimpchips, LPN]

I think that book is excellent - it was a requirement at my school. I'm not the greatest at math but the key is practice, practice, practice! Work through the book and go through the CD to get some more practice. I like that book because it shows you different methods to solve each problem. If you don't really understand dimensional analysis (and I don't lol) then don't pay attention to the examples showing how to solve using dimensional analysis. Personally I like the ratio/proportion method the best. Another thing that is key to nursing math is memorizing the conversions. You will have to know how to convert from different units in a lot of problems as well as in the real world. Good luck!