They didn't make it :(

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I'm just getting the bad news from some of my friends who found out on late on Friday that they're being withdrawn from the program. The nursing dept dropped a surprise math exam on all of us at the end of the last lecture, and they didn't pass. They have this rule that math competency quizzes can be given at any time, and you're only allowed to get 10% of the questions wrong, otherwise you have to withdraw from the program and take remedial courses in safety and prevention of medication errors. I feel soooo bad for these guys because I know how hard they've worked to get this far. And even after they get through the remedial stuff, they have to wait until next next spring (if there's space available) before they can apply to continue in the program. Now, that just sucks, doesn't it!!!

math is my weakest subject, I was told you had to make yourself learn to love math in order to understand it.

Sorry about your freinds, you should definitely encourage them to keep on the nursing dept until they land a spot...

But, I agree with the others on the importance of meds, the tiniest mistake on drug calculations can mean the difference between life and death.

I know for a fact cause in the program I was in lvn, I was to pull up a certain amount of meds and insert it into an orange, well I pulled it up and began inserting it into the orange and then in front of the whole class the instructor anounced that I had just killed the pt. I asked to leave the room to go to the bathroom, and once I got in there I cried till no more tears would fall, it was the worst experience of my life...

good luck to you and your freinds.

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My gosh that seems harsh... I can see taking math classes, or having to prove additional math competancy, but drop the whole program? Eee gads!

I'm sorry for your friends hon, they have my sympathy!

Michelle

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Dang! After reading this, I'm glad that I dont go to your school!

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Specializes in CVICU.

I am still a pre-nursing student. What level of math are we talking about that one as a nurse needs to do? Anyone care to share some specific examples of how math is used?

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Drug calculations................basic algebra is used. If you have trouble with the math, how are you going to figure out the right amount of medication to give to your patient. If the quiz was just given, and this is the end of the year, they should have known how to solve any type of those problems.

Remember, someone's life depends on it. It could be you or your mother who is the patient..........what would you want done then? :uhoh3:

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Specializes in CVICU.
Drug calculations................basic algebra is used. If you have trouble with the math, how are you going to figure out the right amount of medication to give to your patient. If the quiz was just given, and this is the end of the year, they should have known how to solve any type of those problems.

Remember, someone's life depends on it. It could be you or your mother who is the patient..........what would you want done then? :uhoh3:

I understand the importance of math in nursing. I know personally if I don't use some of it, I forgot it and need a refresher. I am studying for the NET test now and did not remember how to work with exponents becuase I don't use them that often. I reviewed it and will be fine for the NET next week. But if you asked me in six months, I may not be able to do it off the top of my head.

It is just a good heads up to make sure you practice, practice, practice any math skill you are weak at.

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Could someone write an example of a typical math problem that would be used to calculate a med based on say body mass or weight? Thanks.

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Well, that's just effing great! You mean after we take the stinking all-or-nothing dosage calculation test, we can still be booted for math at any time?!?!? That's really sad for your classmates. I'm sure you're breathing a sigh of relief right about now since you passed it. I'm pretty good in math, but I HATE pop quizzes.

Hi dansamy,

I've seen some of your other posts and I am pretty sure that we go to the same school. I am starting my 2nd semester in the RN program this summer. I just wanted to let you know that we do not have pop quizzes on math. We just have the dosage calculations test once every semester, you have to make 100%, and you get 3 trys to do so. It's really not as big of a deal as it seems. Your Pharmacology class will more than prepare you, and it is easier than the tests that you take in class. just an FYI for you :)

If you want any info or heads up about the program just let me know.

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Could someone write an example of a typical math problem that would be used to calculate a med based on say body mass or weight? Thanks.

You have an infant that weighs 4.2 kg. He needs to receive gentamicin @1.1mg/kg. How much are you going to give and what is the rate that you are going to give it at using micro-drip tubing.

OR

You have an adult patient that weighs 68 kg. You need to give dobutamine at 2.3 mcg/kg/min. What are you going to do?

Hope that this helps..................... :balloons:

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Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.

In first semester we had to pass the med calc test in order to continue in the program, no matter what our other grades were. Tomorrow we have another med calc test that we have to pass with at least an 85...thereafter, we must pass 100%.

There's no room in nursing for math errors. :o

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:bluecry1:

Im so HORRIBLE at math its not even funny!

How difficult can this stuff get! :uhoh21:

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You have an infant that weighs 4.2 kg. He needs to receive gentamicin @1.1mg/kg. How much are you going to give and what is the rate that you are going to give it at using micro-drip tubing.

OR

You have an adult patient that weighs 68 kg. You need to give dobutamine at 2.3 mcg/kg/min. What are you going to do?

Hope that this helps..................... :balloons:

Great! I have no clue how to solve it.

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