I met with an advisor this morning to go over the plan of action for taking my pre- reqs. I am not a happy camper this morning. It's been 18 years since I was in school and my math scores were not that great when I took the College Entrance Exam. I have to take algebra pep course before I can take Intermediate algebra which is one of the pre- req.
After reviewing all of my co-req & pre -req and the nursing program itself I am looking at 5 years before I can be a Nurse.
I am a 42 single mother that works full time. This is really discouraging that it will take me that long. I feel stuck and my life is on hold. I was hoping 3 years the most. I desperatly need a life and salary change! I don't know if I should move forward or not. I am currently an Admin Assistant and not really trained to do anything else. I am feeling very very frustrated and hopeless
Anyway if I do decide to move forward not sure what I should do with these math classes. I have 2 options before I can take the Intermediate Algebra (pre-req)
A. I can take "fundamentals in Algrebra" then "Basic Algebra with Lab"
I can not take them in the same semester.
B. Or I can take Integrated Basic Algebra and Arithmetic
This is a combination of the 2 classes in option A.
Advisor is suggesting I take option A if I am not that strong in Math. I always had difficulty with percentages and fractions but I am a fast learner. I loved Algebra when I was in school, but it's so long ago I forgot the formulas but it will come back once I get started.
I prefer to take option B, less time and money plus I don't have time to waste but I don't want to get in over my head and can't pass the class. Does anyone have any experience with these classes.
I don't know all the ends and outs of the program you are applying, but there are a few other options that may work. Though, they will take discipline, self-teaching effort and in the end might bite you in the butt if you are not strong in math and/or can't self teach. Of course you will have to check with your school and what their requirements are. You may be able to take an intro and/or intermediate high school algebra. Keystone High School is an online accredited school that offers all sorts of high school courses that can be completed in a few weeks if you are dedicated and all consumed. www.keystonehighschool.com Many ADN programs will accept high school algebra for entry into the bioscience course prereqs - though you will still need a math for graduation. There are several ADN programs in my area that offer "Math for Health Care" and accept that as fulfillment of the GE math requirement. Or you can take statistics or some other math. (I found stats MUCH easier than intermediate algebra.) Though interm alg is usually a prereq for stats, I don't know why! I really haven't had to use much if any algebra for any of the bioscience prereqs.
If nothing else, the warm-up of taking the class online could be just what you need to get the cobwebs dusted off, and if you decide to take the class at the college, you will be that much ahead. You can also get tutor to work with you. Keystone provides online teachers as well, but so much is about reading the book and figuring it at.
The main things is finding out what you need and what they will accept for the prereqs for the main bio prereqs. Bear in mind the butt-biting aspects: it will not serve you if you don't learn. You will need math for chemistry (if you haven't had it and need it) and for nursing school entrance exams, for dosage calculations and for whatever college math you ultimately end up taking. You have to pay the piper somewhere. But this option, if it works for your school can really speed things up. It you have been out of school for a long time, the baby steps might be the right path. I was out of school a long while and it took a bit to get up to speed.
My son was homeschooled, and wanted to go to a vocational trade school when he was 16. The school required high school or college algebra, and though we had done this on our own, they wanted an official transcript from an accredited school. We found Keystone, and though it was like $250 a class, they were great. My son was able to knock out the work in no time and they sent a transcript to the program right away so that he could apply and start the program on time. It would have been over a year if he had to wait and then take a year long HS or even a college semester course. (And the local high school would not let him take just a math - they are the ones that turned us on to the online program) It saved us so much time! It worked for him and I was satisfied with the service.
Try not to focus too much on the time - I totally know what you mean. When you think 5 years to be a nurse it seems so far away, but it can really pass fast. Don't let it stop you .. you get done what you spend time doing, so do it! Hang in there.
I am glad I took the long way and really took the time to learn pre algebra. I have used it it in chemistry, A&P, and micro just to name a few courses. I am not sure I would have made an A if I hadn't had those extra developmental classes to get me ready.
I dropped out of high school in the 9th grade. When I decided that I was going to make my life long dream of becoming a nurse a reality I REALLY started from the bottom. I didn't understand the basic concepts of fractions, and even had trouble understand long division.
I took an evening class for 3 months at the local high school to prepare from the GED. I remember being so excited that I got such high marks on my GED. I then registered at the college, and took the entrance exam. I scored high on everything except the algebra portion. I had never taken algebra in my life so I wasn't surprised. I took 3 pre algebra courses, and finally was ready to take college algebra. While I was doing all of this I took all my basic college courses (speech, psych 1 & 2, English, P.E., etc). Then I started adding all the science courses (Biology, Chemistry, A&P 1&2, Micro, pharmocology, patho, etc). I now have a 4.0, have finished all of my pre reqs except dosage calc (its was full), have taken the Hesi entrance and scored a 90, applied to my school of choice with top points, and just had my physical, and shots today.
I am a mom (38 years) with 3 kids, and its taken a lot. My family has sacrificed right along with me, but it will be worth it. When I started my oldest who was in high school was helping me with my math, and now I am helping him with his college algebra (it feels good). My youngest tells everyone his mommy is smart, and is going to be a nurse. Its been about 5 years, but you know what it was a small price to pay for all I have gotten in return. I would do it again in a heart beat.
Thank you for all the suggestions, I feel better this morning. I have decided to take the long road and start with my basic Algebra classes. 5 Years will go by anyway and I certainly don't want to look back with any regrets. I will be applying to Seminole Community College for the evening Nursing Program when I am ready. The good thing is they do not have a waiting list. You are considered based on your GPA, NCLEX, and how many pre- reqs are completed. Of course they stongly suggest all pre-reqs are done.
The program starts every January and I will be short 3 classes for January 2010. I will still apply and if I don't get in, I will be ready for January 2011. I will concentrate on getting a high GPA. Although math was not my favorite subject I always enjoyed Algebra, it was like a game to me.
Best of Luck to everyone, and thanks again for the suggestions.
I was very discouraged also due to math. I took the pre algebra and algebra in 2002. I moved to a new state after taking pre req for nursing and I have to take some more pre req to meet the requirements at the nursing schools I am applying to. I have to retake the algebra class because my placement test was not so good. I was so frustrated. I figured three years of school but it has been a journey. I want to be a nurse more than anything so here I go enrolling in what ever classes I need to open up my options to more nursing programs.
I am currently 43 and thought I would be done by the time I was 44. If I am lucky I will graduate from a program at 45. I am excited to be a nurse and the hard work will be worth it.
Guess What I just found out. I didn't realize there is 2 semesters in the summers Schedule A & B. I can take 3 or 4 classes in the summer if I want. Yeahhh!!!!! I can get all my pre-reqs done in time to apply for the Nursing program in 2010. I am sooooo happy to know this. Of course I know its harder in the summer and I will not attempt it this summer since its my first time back in school after 18 years but at least I have the option next summer. Yeahhhhhhh I can get this done in 3.5 years. Much better than 5 years. Can you tell how happy I am Yeahhhh!!!!!!:yeah:
I know it is very discouraging!! But seriously time flies by... another thing you can do that I did. I haven't been in school in ten years and needed to brush up on my math skills and I am not good in that area never have been. Go to Math.com I learned all the math from there that I needed to for the NET exam and passed it. I just took one section a night and did the exercises until I got a 10 out of 10. See if you can do that and retake the college entrance exam. I know they let you do that with the english part? Let me know how it goes.
Good luck.. don't get discouraged it will be such a rewarding experience when you get there!!
I know it is very discouraging!! But seriously time flies by... another thing you can do that I did. I haven't been in school in ten years and needed to brush up on my math skills and I am not good in that area never have been. Go to Math.com I learned all the math from there that I needed to for the NET exam and passed it. I just took one section a night and did the exercises until I got a 10 out of 10. See if you can do that and retake the college entrance exam. I know they let you do that with the english part? Let me know how it goes.
Good luck.. don't get discouraged it will be such a rewarding experience when you get there!!
I hear your frustration and anxiety. And it's easy for everyone else to say 5 years isn't long. BUT 5 years isn't long in the big picture, you will be a qualified RN by the time you are 47!!!! And will have at least 20years of a wonderful nursing career.
I had to make many sacrifices to do my study, and some days I feel like throwing it all away, but i know theres a light at the end of the tunnel and a fabulous career in helping people!! I got ill last year, so this year should be my 3rd and final one, that's been upsetting, BUT it's only an extra year, It's going to take me 4 years instead of 3! But at the end it will be a distant memory.
Try and get all the support you can get with the children and put plans in action, you CAN do this!!! And truely time FLYS!!!!!
I truly feel for you, but at the same time, Math is so very important to nurses. I would not feel comfortable getting into nursing if my math skills were off. We are taking ability to reason, calculate patient medication... Most sciences that I know really tie into math. What I am suggesting is that once you decide that you want to go for it, you truly take in everything you learn from these classes, because you will use them for the rest of your nursing career. Wish you the best in making your decision.
My Math is my weakest subject, but I have managed to do really well in nursing, its all just FORMULA"S, once you have those mastered you will be GREAT!!! Don't let those number things get the best of you!!
It is interesting to me that a lot of us mathphobe are a bit older than traditional students - mid/late 30s and 40s. It got me thinking about my early schooling and the how math was addressed as a little girl in the 1960s and 70s. Girls really weren't expected to excel in math. Math was a boy's subject. For me, too, the "New math" methods were being introduced. Teachers were unsure how to teach "new math" so didn't like it; parents didn't know how to do it so couldn't help. As a kid what I got about math was that grown-ups hated it. They were as perplexed as I was. No one was excited about it, no one loved it, math = misery. By junior high and high school, they had abandoned the "new math" and so there was a big confusion about that! In this case, I do think it was the system that kinda messed me up. It was a mix of academic mahem and gender bias.
Further, back in the old days we didn't have to take math all the way through high school. I think I had the last required math class was in 9th or 10th grade. After that it was an elective, which of course I didn't take. I have 5 children and the older ones that went to school (we homeschooled as well) including my daughter got math all the way through and did great. My daughter even tutored algebra. They start the kids on even complex mathematical concepts much earlier, and of course have the same expectation for girls as boys. My 7th grader does the exact same math as the TEAS test, and my 3rd grader is doing the same math I did as a 5th or 6th grader. It has really changed.
Anyway, (if you are still with me!) I think that for me, a lot of my issues were all in my head about how I felt about math, not about my innate in)ability to do it. I disliked math because of how others had felt about it, but I didn't make that connection. For me, math was fraught with the frustration (and expectations) of my instructors, which always bleeds over to the student. Not that this is your case, but sometimes reviewing why certain things bring up strong feelings you might find it has nothing to do with you!
I SO did not want to take Statistics and almost didn't apply to a BSN program because it was a requirement. But I had a funny and light hearted instructor, who took all the fear with his horrible jokes. It was fine, I did great. So I am glad that I didn't let my beliefs or dread limit me. I am glad that you aren't limiting yourself either! Let it be a challenge. I noticed that once I started "thinking in math" that I actually have clearer, better, more diverse sets of thinking skills. Like it charged up and opened up some pathways in my brain. It is like exercise for your brain. So go for it! Get something out of it. Good luck.
5 Years will go by anyway and I certainly don't want to look back with any regrets.
This is exactly the attitude I had when I decided to go back to school! I'd been in my job for 6 years and realized that I could just as easily be there another 6 years and nothing in my life would have changed, or I could start down the path of my pre-reqs and see where they'd take me. It was as if a light bulb went off in my head and I became very focused! 2011 isn't that far away! And who knows, maybe you will find an option elsewhere that begins sooner? I'm all about creating options. I'm excited for you as you begin your journey! I absolutely LOVED my beginning algebra classes. For the first couple of terms I felt like a math genius (until I got to intermediate algebra)! I found algebra at times sort of meditative and satisfying. Good luck!!
Guess What I just found out. I didn't realize there is 2 semesters in the summers Schedule A & B. I can take 3 or 4 classes in the summer if I want. Yeahhh!!!!! I can get all my pre-reqs done in time to apply for the Nursing program in 2010. I am sooooo happy to know this. Of course I know its harder in the summer and I will not attempt it this summer since its my first time back in school after 18 years but at least I have the option next summer. Yeahhhhhhh I can get this done in 3.5 years.
Hotflashn
362 Posts
I don't know all the ends and outs of the program you are applying, but there are a few other options that may work. Though, they will take discipline, self-teaching effort and in the end might bite you in the butt if you are not strong in math and/or can't self teach. Of course you will have to check with your school and what their requirements are. You may be able to take an intro and/or intermediate high school algebra. Keystone High School is an online accredited school that offers all sorts of high school courses that can be completed in a few weeks if you are dedicated and all consumed. www.keystonehighschool.com Many ADN programs will accept high school algebra for entry into the bioscience course prereqs - though you will still need a math for graduation. There are several ADN programs in my area that offer "Math for Health Care" and accept that as fulfillment of the GE math requirement. Or you can take statistics or some other math. (I found stats MUCH easier than intermediate algebra.) Though interm alg is usually a prereq for stats, I don't know why! I really haven't had to use much if any algebra for any of the bioscience prereqs.
If nothing else, the warm-up of taking the class online could be just what you need to get the cobwebs dusted off, and if you decide to take the class at the college, you will be that much ahead. You can also get tutor to work with you. Keystone provides online teachers as well, but so much is about reading the book and figuring it at.
The main things is finding out what you need and what they will accept for the prereqs for the main bio prereqs. Bear in mind the butt-biting aspects: it will not serve you if you don't learn. You will need math for chemistry (if you haven't had it and need it) and for nursing school entrance exams, for dosage calculations and for whatever college math you ultimately end up taking. You have to pay the piper somewhere. But this option, if it works for your school can really speed things up. It you have been out of school for a long time, the baby steps might be the right path. I was out of school a long while and it took a bit to get up to speed.
My son was homeschooled, and wanted to go to a vocational trade school when he was 16. The school required high school or college algebra, and though we had done this on our own, they wanted an official transcript from an accredited school. We found Keystone, and though it was like $250 a class, they were great. My son was able to knock out the work in no time and they sent a transcript to the program right away so that he could apply and start the program on time. It would have been over a year if he had to wait and then take a year long HS or even a college semester course. (And the local high school would not let him take just a math - they are the ones that turned us on to the online program) It saved us so much time! It worked for him and I was satisfied with the service.
Try not to focus too much on the time - I totally know what you mean. When you think 5 years to be a nurse it seems so far away, but it can really pass fast. Don't let it stop you .. you get done what you spend time doing, so do it! Hang in there.