Stats...

I'm taking Stats online right now, and kicking myself for doing it. Definitely one class that I should have taken in person.

I had to do elementary algebra all the way up to college and not once did we have a cumulative final. So even though I should have known and prepared (RETAINED!) for this final. I didn't. And doing A&P plus a history class online pretty much set me up for learn, test and dump type thing. Tartar sauce. I am doing excellent in A&P and History no worries there!

I was thiiiiisss close to taking stats online and at the very last minute decided not to. I am SO glad I decided to take it in person. Some of these concepts are so involved I need a teacher right there to help when I get confused.

Understanding elementary statistics is essential to any healthcare professional. It is imperative that we all understand what statically significant results mean and have a notion of how these results are derived. Health care improvements need to rely on evidence based research rather than speculation and day to day observations. We can learn so much about our patient populations and the best course of treatment using statistical methods. I understand that stats is not easy nor everyone's favorite subject. If you care about understanding new research that will only improve the field of nursing and possibly your future unit, hospital, and patients well-being then apply yourself in your first statistics class and soak up everything you can learn.

I feel your pain! There is a HUGE amount of evidence that introductory Statistics courses are not suitable for online/distance instructional methods. I can't believe that even reputable colleges are continuing to do this. They should at least have some sort of disclaimer so that students know up-front that this is not recommended.

This is one of those subjects where the quality of the instructor is vitally important for student success. A great statistics instructor can explain concepts in a jillion different ways - to make those abstract concepts meaningful to the group that s/he is teaching. This dramatically increases the ability of students to 'get it'. I know a (wildly popular) stats teacher (retired engineer) in a CC that uses poker/cardgames to teach probability & has students learn about combinations/permutations with lottery calculations. It's meaningful - Students love it.

I'm sure that it's no consolation, but based on my own experience, the more you advance in stats - the 'easier' they get. I had to have 3 hrs for BSN, 6 hrs for MSN & 9 hrs for doctorate... by the time I got to the ones that focused on data modeling I was actually enjoying the subject! Of course, your mileage may vary.

Just thought you guys should know I DID get an A in the class :) Maybe I know more than I think!

"A great statistics instructor can explain concepts in a jillion different ways - to make those abstract concepts meaningful to the group that s/he is teaching. This dramatically increases the ability of students to 'get it'".

YES! I absolutely fell in love with statistics last semester. I can't believe I went in with dread. My professor changed my perception and quite honestly explained the concepts in a meaningful way. I loved when he said, "statistics is about searching for the truth of things, but since we can never know the actual truth of things because we are not God, statistics attempts to get as close to the truth as possible". That resonated for me! From that point on, he totally had my attention.

OP, I hope you get your A. I totally understand being SO close and waiting on the final results!

Congrats!!!!

I agree with Kris. I took it online as well, and math is one of my worst subjects. My instructor was wonderful and always available to help us if we didn't understand something. I had to take the midterm and final (most of your grade) on campus and I still made an A. It's all about what you put into it. A classmate of mine from my on campus classes was taking it on campus and barely passing, and she was a great student. The instructor even admitted to putting trick questions on the exam for the sole purpose of tripping people up. On campus does not always mean better.

OMG! I'm in an accelerated program, but our Stats was for the entire semester thank goodness! I couldn't imagine taking it in 8 weeks! Go you!