What field of Nursing has the least, and most math?

[PreStudent101]

What do you think?

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

Any kind of ICU would have the most kind of math. A lot of drips to maintain all at once going at varying rates (mcg/kg/min, mcg/min, mcg/hr, mg/hr). I think peds has a lot of math involved, too. Most, if not all, pediatric doses are in dose/kg, plus there are all of those fluid maintenance calculations (since kiddos are more prone to dehydration). As for the least, probably psych or postpartum. I could be wrong tho. I hope you are not choosing a specialty based on the amount of math you will have to do...

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

And chances are when you get hired at a hospital, you will have to take a math test; it may be a generic math test or unit-specific (typically peds/critical care areas have unit-specific ones because you never see mcg/kg/min, mcg/min, etc on a med-surg floor).

[Good Morning, Gil]

I work in an ICU, and I wouldn't say there's that much math. When there is, it's very basic. And yes, the Alaris pumps, and my computer calculate it for me, but I don't rely on machines to do that work for me. I always double check, only takes 2 seconds, since machines have the potential to mess up. For instance, your math will be: Med dispensed comes in a 20 mg/mL vial. Ordered amount is 5 mg. How much do you give? Not rocket science by any means lol. And, there's weight-based calculations for certain drips in the ICU, but again, not rocket science. I know you're not in school yet, but always check your settings on your pumps when doing your assessment to make sure the previous shift programmed them correctly.

I'd say peds has the most math, and oncology has a good bit of math with chemo calculations, but none of it is calculus by any means lol. You'll learn what you need to know.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

I have been told that peds and OB requires less math, bc you don't pass a lot of meds.

Your patient has a fever, weighs 17.5 kg. Tylenol is 15mg/kg/dose and comes 160mg/5ml. How many mls do you give the patient? And now they're getting X mg of an antibiotic; if the max safe dose per day is Y mg/kg/day in Q8 doses, do you know how to figure out if the per dose amount is ok?

They're not exactly hard calculations but pretty much every med I give involves at least a couple calculations.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

i don't work bedside anymore, but i regularly have to calculate costs for life care plans, pay my bills, balance my checkbook, and figure my own expenses.

med "math" isn't an exotic animal. it's no more arithmetic than you need for daily life. think, when you go to the grocery store, don't you figure out what something costs per unit to get better deals? that's about the level of "math" you need for dose calcs.

[wooh, BSN, RN]

and oncology has a good bit of math with chemo calculations,

We had to do this training, chemo for non-chemo nurses. Basically, everyone that occasionally gives chemo drugs but doesn't work in oncology had to do a packet. So we were working through the packet together, I think there were about 5 of us. We got to the "check the math" part of it. We ALL got a different answer. So I have to say, I think oncology is the winner for most math.

[PreStudent101]

Thanks everyone!

[Otessa, BSN, RN]

What do you think?

I loathe math but knew it was important to get through college and work effectively and safely as a nurse. Got a tutor and began to understand math instead of running away from it.

Best decision ever! That way you don't limit yourself.