Science/Math isn't your thing, but you're doing it

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hello people... i've been asking questions and i'm so happy people are willing and taking the time to share their opinion. thank you. Anyways, i just have a question for those that went to nursing school or are going to nursing school that find science/math hard. What i mean is that science and math don't come naturally to you. We all have areas that come naturally to us without much struggle. I'm asking those that struggle with science and math. I am one of those and i'm thinking of going to nursing school but i'm scared to death about science/math. It doesn't come naturally to me. SO, question, how did you make it? or how are you making it if science isn't your thing?

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I can relate. I always hated science and math when in high school and college. I avoided both and got BA because math were difficult for me. 5 years later, still scared of science and math but wanting to become a nurse I started college again with basic Bio and Algebra. I found that it was more interesting as an older student. I think that it also helped knowing that the classes were building a foundation of knowledge that would help me during my goal of becoming a nurse.

My suggestion to you- stop telling yourself that you are not good at math and science. Find out who the best math and science teachers for your learning style and go for it with a positive mindset. If you tell yourself that you stink at math you wont give yourself the chance to try and learn in. Most schools have a math and science tutoring center where you can get extra help if you need it. Also go the office hours and meet with your instructor to ask questions.

Also keep in mind that as you progress into AP and patho the concepts will become less abstract and feel more related to nursing then say algebra or chem.

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Specializes in ICU.
hello people... i've been asking questions and i'm so happy people are willing and taking the time to share their opinion. thank you. Anyways, i just have a question for those that went to nursing school or are going to nursing school that find science/math hard. What i mean is that science and math don't come naturally to you. We all have areas that come naturally to us without much struggle. I'm asking those that struggle with science and math. I am one of those and i'm thinking of going to nursing school but i'm scared to death about science/math. It doesn't come naturally to me. SO, question, how did you make it? or how are you making it if science isn't your thing?

I'll give you my perspective as a science lover, but a math HATER. My first degree was in Chemical Engineering. You'd think as a ChemE that I'd live & breathe math...WRONGO!

Even back in high school, I did "OK" in math, but nothing special. When I hit college, then came the D's. Not fun at all.

This made me very concerned about taking a nursing prereq statistics class ~25 years after my first degree. I went into it knowing that I didn't really love math, but the added years gave me the maturity and DRIVE to push myself & study my butt off to excel in the class. I ended up with a very high A in the class. I was no longer afraid to bug my prof with questions. If I didn't understand something, I emailed or called him and worked until I got the concept down flat.

Once I started my accelerated BSN program, I had the fun (?) of a graduate level statistics class. Once again, lots of hard work & pushing myself resulted in an A.

A lot of this stuff didn't "come natural to me". Set your mind to really UNDERSTANDING (not merely memorizing) the material, and you can do well. As many have said in the past, if I only knew then what I know now.....

Good luck, and YOU CAN DO IT.

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Throughout high school, I earned a D or F in every, I mean EVERY math and science class I took. So obviously I considered my self one of those "I hate math/science" people.Fast forward ten years and I have gotten "A"s in every math and science class that I had to take as a prerequisite. Who would have thought?!!! I think what helped me with math was growing up and actually using math (fractions/percents/algabraic equations) in everyday life. Now that I'm older I realize that math is very practical. As far as science is concerned, I just love the human body so anatomy and physiology just come easy because I'm so interested in the subject. So my advice is ... Don't label yourself as someone who hates math/science, once you give it a try you may be better at it than you think! Trust me, I overcame this obstacle and I'll be starting nursing school in about 7 weeks!!!

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Science and math do NOT come naturally to me. I struggled through the concepts of biology 1 even though I loved the class and found it fascinating. Biology 2 came a little easier and I loved it even more. Geology, while I still struggled with the concepts, I LOVED as well. I guess what I am trying to say is it may not come naturally, but enjoying the experience can really make a world of difference. I'm looking forward to my A&P and Micro classes even though I know I will have to work my self to the bone to do well in them.

Math, well that is a different story.. College algebra when right over my head.. I took a liberal arts math class and that snapped for me. I'm still afraid of algebra but if I can pass any level of college math anyone can!

If this is what you want.. go for it. Science, while hard, is a lot of fun!

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Moved to Pre-Nursing forum, as this is a student question and not a general-nursing type of discussion.

FWIW, I couldn't even do long division until I was 34 years old. That's how bad I was at math! In fact, I was terrified of it. Poor math skills was one of the main reasons I didn't go to nursing school until I had gained enough smarts to realize that my failures in youth didn't have to define me for the rest of my life. I started off in the most basic math class they had at my community college, and got straight A's from "dummy math" all the way through Intermediate Algebra.

Now.......after not using it for a decade and a half, I can't do much algebra anymore, except for dimensional analysis. But it certainly isn't as though I couldn't regain those skills if I took the time. Believe me, if I could overcome my math phobia, ANYONE can. Just do it!

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Specializes in Private Practice- wellness center.

I was NEVER a Math or Science person either. However, over the years I've come to realize that maybe I am. It's a matter of mindset, you have to believe you can be a math and science person. If you go in with the mindset that you're going to do poorly, guess what- you WILL. If you go in telling yourself that you will have to work hard, but you can do it, you WILL! I was one of those students 20 years ago that the math teachers gave me a mercy passing grade because I at least tried. This time around, I tested out of algebra but still had to take statistics. I worked my butt off knowing I could get a good grade and I aced the class. I am now in a 10 week A&P class and I am working harder in this class than with ANYTHING I have EVER had to work for in my LIFE, but I have my A. Trust me, as someone who grew up "knowing" she was far better at the arts than math and science, it's doable. It's HARD WORK, but an attainable goal to get good grades in these subjects. :D

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I am really terrible at math, but have always found science interesting, though I avoided both in hs and college (the first time). This past year I took A&P 1, 2 and micro and found that I love science! I got very high A's on all 3 classes and really loved learning about this. It is fascinating stuff and if you have an interest in nursing, I think the sciences will pique your interest and you will do well. I think of it as the foundation for my career so I really want to understand it all. That mindset will help you immensely!

For my math story, well I didn't need any more math because my first college experience gave me enough credits. However, I had to go back and relearn enough to do the dosage calculations. My teenage kids and engineer husband had to help me learn to set up those problems. I can do it with ease now.

You can do this!

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you cant tell your self your "not a math or science person"...I think anyone can do math..how much you suceed is based on how much effort you put into it.. dont expect to take a college alegebra class and just get an "A" in it .. put time into it and study :]

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Specializes in CNA.

Oh geez..yeah math is not good for me and I fear when I get into nursing school that I won't do good..but you can believe I am gonna figure it out because I want to be a nurse.

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These posts are helping to get me psyched and ready for sciences. I got spooked from majoring in anything medical-related because of bio and chem. Now that I'm in my 30s, with life experience, I know I will approach it with a "MIND OVER MATTER" mentality.

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Specializes in Med/ Surg/ Telemetry, Public Health.

I am a pre nursing student, I hate math but for my program they require math 110 college algebra. I had to suck it up and study extra hard, in order to get to mat 110 I had to pass math 101 pre algebra, and math 102 intermediate algebra before I could finally take math 110 college algebra. I got a B in math 101, math 102 A, currently enrolled in math 110 this Summer, hopefully I will come out with a A, or B. Anyway as I said I study extra hard and I also get tutoring, also had to get tutoring for A&P also. If you really want to get into the nursing program you have to overcome your fear of math or science. Just study and do your best, good luck.

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