If anyone out there can offer me some advice, I'd be so grateful. I am in an accelerated second degree AAS program at a University in VA which I will not name.
I and 3 other students are currently battling the nursing department over "F" grades we received despite the fact that no on got less than a C+ in a class that ended July 31st. The reason for this is because the 4 of us did not obtain a 90% or higher by the third attempt at a 10 question dosage calculations quiz. Mind you the calculation of dosages is not taught at our school, it is considered the students responsibility to learn it themselves.
I don't understand how my overall grade of 85% can be reflected on my transcript as a "F" because of one dosage calculations quiz, which I got an 80% on. The four of us tried reasoning with the nursing staff and they basically told us tough cookies and see you next semester at a private Catholic school that costs $600 per credit! Additionally, our school has a policy where you get kicked out if you have to repeat more than 8 nursing credits.
Am I wrong to believe that this action taken was harsh and unfair? Is this just the nature of the nursing beast, or do I have a legitimate right to fight this. I sent emails to the dean and the grievance committee, but no one has responded. It has been 3 weeks.
Please help. I am ready to break down and quit, as I can't cry anymore than I already have. The callousness and cold-hearted nastiness of these ladies is absolutely mind-boggling to me.
So sorry this happened to you. It is a huge set back and an expensive one. But now you know how serious the drug calculations are. Go out and buy yourself a book to help you practice for the next semester. Good Luck
I have math anxiety, though I have had college algebra. I was reading this thread, and I got nervous! My school is 90%, like most schools here. At first I was kind of taken aback.....90% seems a bit harsh....but then I realized that mistakes in the math can be the difference between being helpful and seriously harming a patient. But I'm still anxious!
I ran a Google search "nursing drug calculations practice" and got a whole bunch of great websites where you can learn formulas and take practice quizes. I think the sites will be very helpful.
Tencat, I have serious math anxiety too, and I still count on my fingers . During clinicals whenever I had a moment, I would run calculations. Each person had his/her own way of doing them, and I was lost. I finally found a math genius, who answered my silly questions and made the calcs easy for me. Since then, I've never had a problem, but I do worry whenever I'm put in a test situation :).
Specializes in Pediatrics, Oncology, Triage and Med/Surg.
Did the teachers explain the calculations at least? That would be unfair if they didn't. We didn't have a whole class on it but the first semester in my schooling took several hours to go over calculations then practice problems. I think that would be fair to teach students than no direction at all. Then if one needs further study get a math tutor. My school also did the 3x 90% or greater each semester before going to clinicals. Yes it is very important but the teachers should give a little feedback. Sometimes I noticed if someone needed help it was not offered. I had a classmate main lanuguage spanish. She spoke english very well but had issues with the wording on test questions. She went to the chair of nursing enforcing she needed help. All she got from the professor was "oh don't worry I'm sure you will do fine." Well, she got lower than a c in class and had to take an extra year to finally graduate and pass boards but she did it. Of course she needs to be totally fluent in english but my point is I did see instances where I feel the professors failed to provide help to students. Even if the teacher couldn't do it herself she could have investigated into it to see if there was any service to her even if she had to pay for it. Some may say it's the student's responsibility but teachers are there to guide and teach you so they should comply.
At the school I just graduated from (ADN program) we were given a math test at the beginning of every semester. We had 3 tries to get a 90% or better each time. If a student did not get a 90% or better then they were forced to leave that semester and return next semester. Unfortunately, we were told it was self directed study and there was not enough time in the program to teach math :angryfire !! Our school recommended the book Math and Meds for Nurses and it was very helpful. Best of luck to you.
90% and allowed three tries is actually too liberal in my mind. One small mis-calculation and you can kill someone. How would you feel about that?
Sorry that you are having to go thru this, but this has been the standard at almost every single nursing school in the US since I can remember. And it needs to be.
Your employer will also be giving a drug calculations exam that also includes medications, and you can lose your job if you are able to pass it. Remedial exams do not cut it when patient's lives are at stake.
I find it inconceivable that your school doesn't teach med calculations being that it is one of the most important aspect of being a nurse. If passing the dosage calc tests is that important, all nursing schools should be teaching it. Because our patients can be gravely affected by receiving the wrong dosage of medications, it is pertinent that the schools teach our future nurses this subject no matter how "basic" it is.
Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Have to totally agree with the posts regarding this issue.
The policy in the nursing program where I am associated is 100% pass and nothing less. No exceptions. The exam is given prior to each clinical semester and some students are lost in their senior year. Yes, I agree this is very sad. But, necessary for the protection of the innocent patient.
It is something that can actually be self taught, there are many programs available on the computer. This student is in an accelerated program, and had three tries to pass the exam. Was not given only one chance, and if they needed help, then it was their responsibility to ask for it.
You need to take responsibility for your own learning at times...............
that is true in my experience as well. In order to get admitted to the nursing program, I have to have passed a college calculus class, get 100% in a math test, pass with 90% or higher a drug calculation test of 10 questions each semester. Surprisingly, all of us in my class passed. Drug calculation was covered briefly in class and we were on our own. The teachers insisted that we go to the math lab, get a tutor or form study groups. I totally agree that you either know it or you don't and to become a nurse, you need to know how to accurately calculate drug dosages.
that is true in my experience as well. In order to get admitted to the nursing program, I have to have passed a college calculus class, get 100% in a math test, pass with 90% or higher a drug calculation test of 10 questions each semester. Surprisingly, all of us in my class passed. Drug calculation was covered briefly in class and we were on our own. The teachers insisted that we go to the math lab, get a tutor or form study groups. I totally agree that you either know it or you don't and to become a nurse, you need to know how to accurately calculate drug dosages.
Hi, a book that was required during my first year of nursing school was CALCULATE WITH CONFIDENCE by Deborah C. Gray...they did not teach us anything regarding med calculations because I guess they assumed we could figure it out after having algebra. We also had to pass med tests .
Hi, a book that was required during my first year of nursing school was CALCULATE WITH CONFIDENCE by Deborah C. Gray...they did not teach us anything regarding med calculations because I guess they assumed we could figure it out after having algebra. We also had to pass med tests .
This is the same book we used as well. I must say it was quite good. We actually had a one credit calculation course.....I couldn't imagine having to self teach my self, and I'm actually good in math. We were reminded several times last semester by faculty that our nursing program was one of the few schools that still taught calculations as a semester course. Thank Goodness for that!:rotfl:
Specializes in Gerontological Nursing, Acute Rehab.
All I can say here is that in my program, we got about 2 hours of a quick run down of the calculations, and the next day we had the test that you had to get at least a 95% on in order to continue with the program. Needless to say, about half the class didn't pass the first time....but we got a second chance 2 days later. You'd better believe that I studied my fool head off for the next 2 days.....I ate, drank, breathed and pooed drug calcs.....and I got a 100. (And I'm not mathematically inclined at all). Hard to hear this, I'm sure, but if you got a second chance to take the test you should have made absolutely sure you got all the calcs down. There's really no excuse for failing again....if you needed extra help, it was up to you to find it or go to your instructors for advice or tutoring. That's what they're looking for....those who will take that initiative to learn and not expect to be hand fed all the information.
The thing with the Gray text book is that it's very comprehensive, and if you were tested on that, you had to know formulas and every conversion that ever existed in drug calculation.
I haven't had to do anything but basic division in the hospitals, but I don't peds or infants. Do peds and infants nurses have to go into grains and such smaller proportions?
. During clinicals whenever I had a moment, I would run calculations. Each person had his/her own way of doing them, and I was lost. I finally found a math genius, who answered my silly questions and made the calcs easy for me. Since then, I've never had a problem, but I do worry whenever I'm put in a test situation :).
and I'm actually good in math. We were reminded several times last semester by faculty that our nursing program was one of the few schools that still taught calculations as a semester course. Thank Goodness for that!:rotfl:
Love4Me, RN
134 Posts
So sorry this happened to you. It is a huge set back and an expensive one. But now you know how serious the drug calculations are. Go out and buy yourself a book to help you practice for the next semester. Good Luck