does your school require a dosage caluculations test that has to be above 90%?

HisTreasure, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2005

Yes. Our dosage calcs have to be above 90. Our instructor always joked, "While in my class, you are only allowed to 'kill' two patients!" We can take re-test as many times as we want.

yeepers · Jan 15, 2005

Our school requires 100% to pass. You get 2 chances to retest if you don't make 100 the first time. You're out if you don't make 100% on the last try. We have to do this 3 out of 4 semesters.

RN2Bn2006 · Jan 15, 2005

Our school required 90% or your out, but we get three chances.

I think only giving you "one" chance is wrong. I say this because, even though I passed my med test last semester w/ 96% - 1st try, the mistake I made was simply because I was so nervous, and forgot to round. Now I realize in real life, that is very important, but we were still in 1st semester, and had just started this. I had a hard time concentrating because of the "pressure" I was under. I just think you should get at least two tries. I know in real life we don't get "two tries" on a patient, BUT we are in SCHOOL and are LEARNING, so that's how we learn to deal with the situation and pressure. NOBODY is perfect, and would hate to see someone kicked out for just being nervous.

Good Luck to you.:)

PB

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2005

Math mistake=MED ERROR!!!
:stone

DITTO to that!!

Our school requires a 90% or better or we fail, I totally agree with that. I wouldn't want a nurse taking care of me if they failed their drug calcs test.

Good luck with school, sad :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

KRVRN, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2005

My school required 100% too. After some talking-to, you were allowed 2 retakes.

What did suck was that they didn't allow calculators, which I find bizarre. Their reasoning was that you may not always have access to a calculator. Come on, maybe that was true in 1969, but nowadays calculators cost as little as $1 and if you don't have one, someone else does! In this day and age, do you really think nurses are going to figure all this by hand when there's calculators available???

Show your work and prove that you know how to set the equation up, but allow calculators for the actual multiplication and division for pete's sake! Our most missed question every semester was always one relating to heparin drips with multiple zeroes in the set up and answer.

*PICURN* · Jan 15, 2005

my school required 95% to pass (missing only one question). You get two trys at this, and if you don't pass you are on a "math pause" where you have to wait out a semester and do math "remediation" like taking the nursing math class over again and doing more tests before you are allowed back in. I think the one try only thing is ridiculous. I would demand to see my results if you fail

Altra, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2005

We have a med test at the end of the first semester, before we start pharm & med administration. You have 2 chances to get 100% -- after that your progression in the program will be delayed. From the beginning of 2nd semester onward, ALL tests in all classes include at least a few math/dosage calc questions.

I agree with an earlier post: math error = med error = unacceptable. I'm sorry, but I don't buy into the "I'd be a great nurse but I just have a problem with math" thinking. Med administration is a basic nursing function, and the math required to do it safely is fairly basic, not calculus or rocket science.

HappyNurse2005, RN · Jan 15, 2005

What did suck was that they didn't allow calculators, which I find bizarre. Their reasoning was that you may not always have access to a calculator. Come on, maybe that was true in 1969, but nowadays calculators cost as little as $1 and if you don't have one, someone else does! In this day and age, do you really think nurses are going to figure all this by hand when there's calculators available???

ah yes, i forgot to mention, we are not allowed to use calculators either.

LilPeanut, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 15, 2005

This is basic math/algebra, right? I'm not at this point yet. I'm not great with calc or trig, but this is figuring out proportions, decimals, fractions, dilutions, etc. right?

peeweedelivery · Jan 15, 2005

I just found out today, that my school has a test every semester in dosage calculations. In order to stay in the program, a student needs to get 90% correct. There is only one try. Don't you think this is tuff? :crying2:

I am in Alaska, my school requires 100%, 3 tries or you are out. Yes it is stressful, but do-able. Practice and you will be fine. Practice with one calculator and remember to bring the same calculator that you practiced with. ONe more thing that caused problems with our....we all calculated dosages to the exact mg/unit/mEq, etc., most of us failed the first test because we didn't "round" up on 2 questions, BUT we DID the calculations correctly.......it was a near brawl in there that day! We all took it again and most passed the second time. Just be sure the expectations are clear on how they want the answers. Also, our test included nomanclature and conversions.

Michelle

pvfd060 · Jan 15, 2005

We have a test each semester also. 20 questions - only allowed to miss 2 for a score of 90. No calculators and we need to show all the work. We only have 2 chances to pass. If you fail, you are thrown out of the program. We've lost many to the math - 3 or 4 the 1st semester, 3 or 4 the 2nd. Everyone passed the 3rd and we haven't taken it yet this semester :uhoh3:

We use a workbook titled Calculate w/ Confidence.

twarlik · Jan 15, 2005

I am in Alaska, my school requires 100%, 3 tries or you are out. Yes it is stressful, but do-able. Practice and you will be fine.

My school has the same policy.

I personally agree with those who've stated that they would hope their nurse could calculate proper dosages. Drug math isn't hard and if you want to be a nurse you really need to be able to do it correctly ALL of the time. Just practice and you will do fine.