Math rage

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2013

Wait, wait , wait.... you mean to tell me, that I will not be using imaginary numbers in nursing??!!??

No, but if you ever work as a school nurse as a high school the math teachers will be very happy to find that someone outside of their department remembers what an imaginary number is. I had this experience earlier this year.

I use algebra every day of my life. I'll be honest, I never knew there was such a thing as "College Algebra" until I joined this site. Calculus was the standard math requirement at my university. I never took any math in college though as I tested out of the requirement with my AP Calculus test scores. I love math and when I worked in the hospital I was always the nurse who everyone turned to when the doctor called for 1.5 mg of Ativan in a code because everyone knew I could do the math in my head. I caught math errors during codes more than once.

DoGoodThenGo · Jul 31, 2013

Esme, I understand trying to solve for X. I do that in my everyday life, for instance when I'm at the store. But learning to multiply square roots, graphing, factoring huge terms, and other "advanced" types of algebraic equations doesn't make any sense to me for nursing. Maybe that view point will change when I get into nursing school. I don't know that yet.
The most terrible thing, in my opinion, is that you have to be at a college level math before you can take science. Which puts myself at a great disadvantage because I had not been in school for about 5 years when I went back. So I had to pretty much start over math wise. So I have been having to take math at an alarming pace to get it done quickly so I can take my 4 science classes that I need to apply for nursing school(ASN).

Have said this before and it is worth repeating; often the math requirements for BSN and even some ADN programs are part of what all candidates for a particular degree must complete. This is often very true for those seeking a BofS degree regardless of major. I mean the thing is called a Bachelor of Science for a reason.

As a floor or unit nurse, no you probably don't need anything beyond high school algebra for med dose calc. However if you plan to move on to graduate school or beyond then yes you are going to need a firm grip on college level (four year) math at least as far as a 100 and perhaps a low 200 course.

Think may will find once they calm down and really look at the work required college level algebra mostly uses complex problems to solve basic questions. In other words the bark is really worse than the bite.

Great thing about today is that unlike when some of us were coming up and math was something you did with only the approved formulas and show all work, today many professors allow students to arrive at answers anyway that works for them, long as things are consistently correct and you can show how you arrived it doesn't matter.

sjalv · Jul 31, 2013

For the record, I hated College Algebra and somehow got a B in it. I was shocked. Anyway, I'm glad it's over and hopefully won't have to worry about further math in my studies. But if I die, I'll roll with the punches. I suggest you do the same, though I'm sure you know that. I understand that this is a rant and I feel that a lot of our pre-reqs are useless. English Comp 1&2 I can see, but government, history, humanities? I get they are trying to make us 'well-rounded individuals' which I can appreciate, but what if we just want to be "well-rounded nurses"? I suppose colleges wouldn't be nearly as profitable as they are if we didn't have to take these unrelated pre-reqs.

Do-over, ASN, RN · Jul 31, 2013

I can sympathize, as I just finished College Algebra online (apparently it had shades of calculus - but I really don't even know what calculus IS). I really had no business taking this class online and will be eternally grateful that I managed to squeak out a C... I pray that I "get" stats better - friends assure me I will...

I posted to say, or repeat what DoGood said - it really isn't about nursing, it is about fulfilling a university's requirements for a degree. It, along with history, poli sci, English, etc. Unfortunately, the last time I had taken algebra was 1992. I don't think I was very good at it then, either.

prmenrs, RN · Jul 31, 2013

I can empathize w/you. My problem is writing papers. I'll do math all day long, but ask me to write a paper and you'd think I was forced to give you an arm or leg, 1st born child, etc.....

You will use math in practice and you will have to write stuff (altho maybe not a "paper w/references"). You have my permission to kvetch all you want abt either one!

prmenrs, RN · Jul 31, 2013

Statistics are very helpful when you're reading an article-gives you a clue abt whether the research supports the conclusions the author is presenting. Statistics uses a lot of complex equations--like the ones you saw in the math classes you are now suffering through.

Also, when you go to conferences, the speakers tend to throw out a LOT of statistics. You won't be overwhelmed.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 31, 2013

Don't worry it comes more in handy than art appreciation and intro to golf.

:roflmao:

sjalv · Jul 31, 2013

For what it's worth, I found Statistics to be easier than College Algebra.

Do-over, ASN, RN · Jul 31, 2013

For what it's worth, I found Statistics to be easier than College Algebra.

Thanks, I am a little more hopeful that I will also find this to be true.

tayloramaRN2be · Jul 31, 2013

Thank you all for the responses! I agree with the majority of people here. I am much more into writing papers and reading. Math has never really been my forte. I am planning on taking statistics in the spring. I just keep telling myself that I only need to remember this stuff until 8/9 (my final) thanks again to all those who encouraged me!

mongo73 · Jul 31, 2013

It is all about jumping through the hoops to get to the prize. Then of course colleges need to justify making money (ie. taking introductory chemistry does qualify one to take organic chemistry you first must take chm1 and Chm2.)

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Jul 31, 2013

For the record, I hated College Algebra and somehow got a B in it. I was shocked. Anyway, I'm glad it's over and hopefully won't have to worry about further math in my studies. But if I die, I'll roll with the punches. I suggest you do the same, though I'm sure you know that. I understand that this is a rant and I feel that a lot of our pre-reqs are useless. English Comp 1&2 I can see, but government, history, humanities? I get they are trying to make us 'well-rounded individuals' which I can appreciate, but what if we just want to be "well-rounded nurses"? I suppose colleges wouldn't be nearly as profitable as they are if we didn't have to take these unrelated pre-reqs.

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Same here with the B in College Algebra (a B was required to pass the class), and the concept of the well-rounded individual. The problem with that is that we often encounter individuals whose entire language is comprised of street jargon. I don't understand a LOT of the slang today. And that makes it difficult, sometimes, to effectively communicate with such a diverse clientele. I was once asked, "what it be like?" My response was, "excuse me?" Then his reply was, "how ya hanging?" Hanging what???? I was new to the area and this job. Right afterwards, a nurse came up and said, "Is everything going ok?" I was like "duhhh, that's what the guy meant." I explained what had just happened to the nurse, and she was like "oh, that's just the way he talks". Obviously, I don't get out much. It's kinda sad that as well-rounded as I thought I was, I can't even communicate with some of my own co-workers. Yep, that's right...he was a co-worker. :blink: I think I might have missed something in one of my 'unnecessary' classes.