questions about nursing school

[sweetpea16]

Hello, I am going to be a first year nursing student in this comming february. This is something that I realy want to do, I have two kids, one who is very difficult with ADHD, and both play hockey, which means a very busy schedule. I keep hearing horror stories of how hard it is to get your LPN, and that if you do not have real good math skills that I should focus on a different career! Can someone give me an idea of what I am up against? Being a nurse is something that I want to do so much. I enrolled into a lpn prep class to help with my math skills, am I taking the right steps?

[hikernurse]

Great way to start :).

If you are shaky on math, there are nursing math books out there that can walk you through the steps. Almost all of the math involves ratios, decimals, etc. Once you get the idea, you should be fine.

A lot of the questions will be something along the lines of "Pt X needs 5 mgs of drug, the drug comes in 4 mgs drug per 5 mls. How many mls will your patient receive?" That kind of stuff.

I went to school with a lot more kids than you (including a nursing baby ), but some people consider me a little nuts . My point is, it's doable, but your family will need to make some changes. If your husband (SO, mom, any adult you can depend on) is supportive, that will make all the difference.

Make a lot of contingency plans. I have clinicals on Tuesdays this semester, Dad will have to pick up the kids from hockey practice, etc. If he can't make it, they can get a ride home with one of the other kids and I'll make it up when I graduate :).

Also stock up on underwear and blue jeans because chances are, laundry will suddenly become much less of a priority .

[boomsy21]

Any good website to help with drug and dosage calculation

[sweetpea16]

thanks so much for the advice!!!! i started stocking up on alot of things. i've even started making caseroles to go in the deep freezer so i can just pop into the microwave!lol! my husband is very supportive, he has ben encouraging me to do this for awhile. thanks easing my mind about the math!!!!

[bimmersbabe]

Please see my reply to darren_callcareer18 in regards to IV med computations. I posted some info that my be very helpful to you if you are not good in the math department.

Good luck!

[boomsy21]

To Bimmersbabe.........I could not find the post.......Helppppppppppp

[nurseontheway]

Math is NOT my forte so I know how you feel. I am in my 3rd semester of an LPN program and I have survived. We have had to do a lot of order over supply problems. The problem will say: The doctor has ordered _____. What we have on hand (supply) is _______. You divide order over supply and have your answer. The book that we used is called Dosage Calculations. Believe me, if I can figure this stuff out it is possible. Math is my weakest subject. Good luck. It will all be worth it in the end!

[boomsy21]

Thanks Alot

[brillohead, ADN, RN]

This is something that I realy want to do, I have two kids, one who is very difficult with ADHD, and both play hockey, which means a very busy schedule.

Hey sweetpea16 -- just wanted to let you know you're not the only hockeymom on here. I only have one kid, but he plays goalie AND skater, so he kinda counts for two kids that way! My hubby travels for his job, so I can't always count on him to be around. We have no family in the area. And the kid plays on a team in another city, so we can't even carpool with another family for hockey practice.

But we'll get through it somehow, just like you will. We're hockey moms -- we can (and often do!) do anything!!!

[smyle2156]

I just finished LPN school in August and the math really is not that bad.. The best way to learn is to practice the dosage calculations in the dosage books and you will be fine. Good luck!!