Questions for new nurses about school.

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Hi all,

Please excuse any typos I might have as I am typing 1 handed with my daughter asleep in the other..... Just wanting to ask some of you what you found most difficult about nursing school. From what I have read, the dropout rates are very high and that is making me very nervous! I am hoping to be an RN but I am TERRIBLE at math and have never taken a chemistry class in my life!!!! Just hopin to gain some insight on this whole thing!

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Nursing school is very time consuming but if you enjoy what your studying its not too bad. Its hard but do-able! Stick with it - you can do it!!! =)

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I am currently a senior in a AD program. It is extremely hard but start out slow. Don't try to do too much at one time. I had to take my biology and chemistry first as I didn't have those in highschool. I took algebra also just as refresher. Then I took all my gen eds (college comp., psych) and my A&P's and Micro then when I got into the nursing program all I had to take was nursing. It will be a full 3 year process but the best thing I have ever done.

You can do it if you have the drive and desire!!!!!

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Specializes in LTAC, Homehealth, Hospice Case Manager.

Keep yourself well organized, don't get behind & you'll do fine...all my best to you! :)

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Specializes in Developmental Disabilities, LTC.

Don't let this scare you...I'm not a nurse yet, but, let me tell ya - I'd never even taken high school chemistry when I applied to the program. And I ended up sneaking in both A&P I&II and my Microbiology class before I finally did take my Chemistry class...my school never caught on until just before I actually got into the nursing program.

And I have always been a terrible math student. The math you need to know for nursing school basically just comes down to 3 or 4 equations you're tested on and have to know throughout the program and a lot of conversions. The conversions (g to kg, ex) were harder for me than the equations.

Good luck...& believe me, if I can do it, just about anyone can :)

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Thanks for all the replies, I can really tell that I am going to be here a LOT in the next year or two ;). I am going to study up on those conversions before I even start school!

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How about taking some adult ed courses in basic algebra and high school chemistry before you go to nursing school? You'll get the refresher you need without having to worry about grades, ease your fears and be able to hit the ground running -- probably for less than $100.

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Well after visiting the website of the school, I see that I have to take other general education classes first anyway! So hopefully that will help quite a bit, But it really sucks to have to spend a year in school just learning general stuff before I can even GO to nursing school! Well, I guess one good thing is that I will be better prepared........I am 24 now and was kind of hoping to just dive right in to nursing school and get the hard part over ( of learning). I just keep reminding myself that it will be NOTHING like high school! ( I hope). Thanks for all the help everyone!

Tress

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Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.

I find care plans are the harest thing and thankfully I am heading into my last semester (hopefully) and we will only have two to do! They are just time consuming and boring... I am finding the other stuff is no problem, lots of busy work though.

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Specializes in none yet.

When i started nursing school i had the same fears as you did. When taking my prerequisites i took 2 classes at a time 1 science class at a time along with an easier class. I only had to take basic algebra so that was fine. Never taken chemistry before and i was really worried so i took the Beginner class first just so that i could have some basic understanding of the subject before i took the college level chemistry course that i needed. I recommend you doing this as well, yes it will take an extra semester to complete but it is well worth it especially since you have never been exposed to chemistry before. In nursing school just remember your basic formulas for calculating dosages and you will not have a problem with the math. There are 3 different formulas for doing dosage calculation, learn only 1 way and do each and every problem the same way all the time and you will be fine. When it was all said and done i completed my program i sat back and was amazed at what i thought i could never be successfull at I had actually accomplished and you will one day feel the same way. Hope this helps!!

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I sound much like you. The difference of me then and now as a student, is that I want to learn. I want to get A's. I want to face my fears and be successful.

Nursing is a very intimidating career to read about. Just take it one course/semester and step at a time. Do the very best you can. If nursing is really what you want to do, you'll do anything to get there.

I'm a pre nursing student just starting by taking Math 107 Intro to Alg., so I will take it one class at a time and one test at a time. See where I go.

Good Luck!

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thanks, the encouragement always helps!

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