Scared that I wont do well because of math...

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Im not good with math, Im sure if I studied a bit more I would do alot better but the thing is that im extremely bad at word problems! especialy the ones that involve algebra and linear equations and stuff. Since that is problem solving, I've read that you need EXCELLENT problem solving skills for nursing and I just plain suck! Am I just worried over nothing or is there going to be alot of problem solving like this in nursing school???

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

You need excellent problem solving skills in nursing but this requires good old common sense.

There is a math portion to get through, and you just gotta do it. It primarily involves word problems and simple algerbra such as "a bottle of medicine has 10 mg/cc. How many cc's would you give if a doctor orders 20 mg?".

It's good to know your weaknesses, but you also need a healthy dose of self-confidence. Going into a course saying "I'm no good with math" dooms you to living out a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You can do this. Like you said "I'm sure if I studied a bit more I would do a lot better". You're going to have to work at it, but many nurses who weren't good in math made it, and you can too.

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.
Im not good with math, Im sure if I studied a bit more I would do alot better but the thing is that im extremely bad at word problems! especialy the ones that involve algebra and linear equations and stuff. Since that is problem solving, I've read that you need EXCELLENT problem solving skills for nursing and I just plain suck! Am I just worried over nothing or is there going to be alot of problem solving like this in nursing school???

I was afraid of this too and Chem. :)

Anyhow, surprisingly I scored high on my placement exam, but I decided to take 2 lower maths so that would feel more confident. I did just that and boy was I glad.

Knock out your maths and Englishes first if you can. Best wishes to you.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

If nursing is what you really want to go into, don't let being scared of math keep you away.

Take remedial math classes, use the school's tutoring center, check out math help books from a local library, ask a friend or family member to tutor you, or whatever it takes to learn to be more confident in math.

Math is definitely not my strong point either, but the more I study, the better I am becoming. Also, I am actually "excited" about how well I am doing in practicing Algebra.

I took Algebra in high school (I and II) and never did very well. In college, I took the 2nd out of 3 remedial Algebra classes, made a B, skipped to college Algebra in 2001, made a B.

Now, I'm going to retake it, and I am practicing for my upcoming class. Yes, I'm making silly mistakes that I have to learn to not make, but like I said, I'm actually excited about how well I'm doing overall!

You can be too! Think positive, work as many problems as you can!!!!! http://www.math.com, as well as many other math websites online can help.

(Look at the "Math websites" sticky in the pre-nursing forum. I've listed a couple of other sites there that I have found useful as well.) Also, if you find yourself stuck on a problem, feel free to post the problem, and what you have completed in trying to solve it. That way someone else can try to help you figure out what you did wrong. I've done this recently, and two wonderful AllNurses.com members helped tremendously!!!

Good luck, you can do it!

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Specializes in Transplant, homecare, hospice.
Im not good with math, Im sure if I studied a bit more I would do alot better but the thing is that im extremely bad at word problems! especialy the ones that involve algebra and linear equations and stuff. Since that is problem solving, I've read that you need EXCELLENT problem solving skills for nursing and I just plain suck! Am I just worried over nothing or is there going to be alot of problem solving like this in nursing school???

There are word type math problems in nursing school, but not like the ones in algebra. I had to relearn all that. It's really not that hard. ESPECIALLY compared to algebra. Get with a study group and work as many problems as you can. You'll be fine. Don't stress yourself out over it, it'll make it worse. Speaking from experience....:chuckle Good luck.

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Im also worried about the placement test I plan to take this WED. I have not been in college in 12 years. Im worried about taking the remedial stuff. but to think about it now what am I worried about? If Im weak at it it is something I need to address. Just a bridge to cross.

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Specializes in Operating Room.
Im also worried about the placement test I plan to take this WED. I have not been in college in 12 years. Im worried about taking the remedial stuff. but to think about it now what am I worried about? If Im weak at it it is something I need to address. Just a bridge to cross.

Welcome to AllNurses.com! You have a great attitude. Good luck on your placement test, and future classes. :)

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

if you have any trouble or questions about math, bookmark this site:

http://www.purplemath.com/modules/index.htm clicking on any one of the subjects will take you to a page with an explanation of that particular subject. there may also be some problems worked out as examples.

here is a website that may help you when you start medication math. http://accd.edu/sac/nursing/math/mathindex2.html

if you are taking algebra and are worried about the word problems, these supplemental books were a big help to me in mastering them:

how to solve algebra word problems

solving word problems in algebra

algebra for dummies

algebra word problems fall into several types: finding consecutive numbers, determining the number of each kind of coin in an amount of coins, mixture problems, distance problems and work problems. between the three books i've listed above i was able to set up and solve word problems without any trouble. i had to put some study time in to understanding them, however. learning to set up and solve algebra word problems is not something you are going to read about and master at one sit down.

there really is no cross-over or similarity between algebra word problems and nursing problem solving. algebra word problems are in a category all their own. nursing problem solving is something that you learn as you go through your nursing courses. it is something that you are taught and work on all throughout nursing school--again, not something you are going to learn about and master at one sit down. you have to have faith that you will learn to do this. perhaps putting it in this context will make you feel more comfortable: thousands and thousands of us had these same concerns as you. we got through nursing school and got our licenses. we learned to problem solve. if we were able to do it, have faith that you, too, will learn this.

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Don't be scared you will do fine . It doesn't take much toil to solve algebra equations if your basics are clear.

So I would suggest you to clear your basics if they are not so.

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Specializes in Pediatric Home Care, Dr Office/Clinic.

Don't give up! Try different tactics! Math and Science are my weaknesses too but I have a plan to tackle it and hopefully succeed...

Brush up on your basics, get a tutor, get into a study group, buy books (algebra for dummies etc) BEFORE you start classes on the subjects and start reading the material and getting familiar with it. That way, when you do start the classes, you will already have a jump start on the material, which should make it easier to understand and grasp. HTH!

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