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I have a question for all you professionals out there. I am currently attending the nursing program at my school. There is a student in my class that has told me they are going into nursing because "I can't pass algebra, so I might as well go into something that doesn't involve so much math." My question is this....If this person can't pass algebra, do you think they even have a chance of successfully maneuvering through the nursing program and getting licensed?

Specializes in cardiac, diabetes, OB/GYN.

We had an amazing amount of math and chemistry and I found it tough plus the requisites were also tough..That was a diploma program and maybe now a days they want to get people into nursing...Scary....You HAVE to know how to do math in a lot of situations, such as ICU, Nicu, Picu, OB etc...etc...etc...Wouldn't want a nurse caring for my family or myself who couldn't do calculations and couldn't handle math....I see a problem waiting to happen...

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Our ADN program requires a semester of chemistry that covers all major areas of shem in one semester- a 5 unit class that you are told upfront will require 15-20 hrs of study time a week. The prereq to get into this class is Algebra II. BSN around here requires an additonal chem class (organic maybe) plus statistics. Our chem class was taught by a PHD from Stanford who worked her way thru as a paramedic/EMT and all our chen was health related "real life" examples......teaching solutions for example she used IV bags as examples. I cant see how you cannot be proficient in math and still be a decent nurse.

Lauura

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Originally posted by ZORYA

I have a question for all you professionals out there. I am currently attending the nursing program at my school. There is a student in my class that has told me they are going into nursing because "I can't pass algebra, so I might as well go into something that doesn't involve so much math." My question is this....If this person can't pass algebra, do you think they even have a chance of successfully maneuvering through the nursing program and getting licensed?

I really had to think of a response, especially after seeing so many "yes" answers. I would guess than that many who said yes, have not done well in algebra but still succeeded in nursing school. I would think than that these students took extra pains to get through the math portions in nursing school (which are definitely needed for the drug tests we need to take). So in essence, it all depends on the student and how much they wish to succeed.

Kris

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Algebra was required to get into our program.... as was statistics, and chemistry (the same kind everyone took).

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I am an ADN RN. I am not good at math, had to take algebra and needed a tutor to pass.

On the other hand, I am great at A&P and biology. I worked as an A&P tutor to help others with it.

I know that a person who does not do well in math can become a nurse. But, not if they chose nursing BECAUSE they didn't do well in math!

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Specializes in ER.

You must pass statistics to get a BSN, and in my RN program you had to be able to calculate your own meds/drip rates etc, even if the pharmacy had done it, we were expected to do our own check. If the only reason she likes nursing is the lack of math she'll soon quit to become a ditch digger.

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I didn't have to have any math classes for my ADN program.

Just the basics of math are needed to pass the NET exam. Drug calcs also incorporate BASIC math and algebra. My Intermediate Algebra class (had to take before College Algebra) was far more complicated math than I ever deal with in drug calculations.

Now that I'm entering a BSN program, I need College Algebra. If a student plans on advancing his/her education beyond the ADN level, they will need more math.

You DON'T need to be a math wiz to work successfully as an RN. This is proven by the MANY ADN-RNs, from similar programs, working in every specialty area in existence. We are everywhere: ICU, ER, OR, L&D, and ALL the floors....doing a great job BTW.

She will be able to get through nursing school, pass boards, and become a great nurse.

Please don't pass judgement on her because she doesn't like math. A lot of us don't.

I've been in ICU for 6 months and don't feel that I'm 'lacking' the skills that are needed simply because I don't have College Algebra or Statistics done yet.

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Specializes in IMCU/Telemetry.
Originally posted by 2banurse

I really had to think of a response, especially after seeing so many "yes" answers. I would guess than that many who said yes, have not done well in algebra but still succeeded in nursing school. I would think than that these students took extra pains to get through the math portions in nursing school (which are definitely needed for the drug tests we need to take). So in essence, it all depends on the student and how much they wish to succeed.

Kris

I answered yes to the question and hold an adn. I got through the math part of the course just fine, I didn't have to take an algebra class and still make a good nurse.

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Specializes in IMCU/Telemetry.
Originally posted by NewNurse2003

I didn't have to have any math classes for my ADN program.

Just the basics of math are needed to pass the NET exam. Drug calcs also incorporate BASIC math and algebra. My Intermediate Algebra class (had to take before College Algebra) was far more complicated math than I ever deal with in drug calculations.

Now that I'm entering a BSN program, I need College Algebra. If a student plans on advancing his/her education beyond the ADN level, they will need more math.

You DON'T need to be a math wiz to work successfully as an RN. This is proven by the MANY ADN-RNs, from similar programs, working in every specialty area in existence. We are everywhere: ICU, ER, OR, L&D, and ALL the floors....doing a great job BTW.

She will be able to get through nursing school, pass boards, and become a great nurse.

Please don't pass judgement on her because she doesn't like math. A lot of us don't.

I've been in ICU for 6 months and don't feel that I'm 'lacking' the skills that are needed simply because I don't have College Algebra or Statistics done yet.

Well said New Nurse:)

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Sad....that schools have to utilize these methods - to recruit more nursing students.

The student mix in my math courses was diverse: pre-nursing, pre-pharmacology, pre psychology & pre-nuclear technology...

Algebra, statistics & chemistry. I don't think in my case it was 'dummed down'...

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I had a man tell me his son was going into nursing because he had a learning disability.

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