whether to be a nursing student

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2005

Welcome to these forums! :)

If you really want to learn the math and wish to be a nurse badly enough, you'll find a way to persevere.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Dec 11, 2005

moving post to pre-nursing student forum.

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Nutmeg5575 · Dec 11, 2005

If you really want to be a nurse math won't be a problem. You only need one math class in most programs, and it's just the basic. Most programs are competitive so you will need to look into the average GPA accepted into the program you are interested in. You will have to give shots and insert catheders. You will be around vomit and you'll have to clean poo and give baths. You need to decide if you are willing to do this to get to your ultimate goal (legal nursing etc.)... Good luck! It's a decision only you can make.

MIA-RN1, RN · Dec 11, 2005

Hi Crissy! Let me put your mind at ease a bit and tell you that just about EVERYONE is scared they won't be able to do shots, catheters, etc.

As far as the math goes, I relate. I put off my liberal arts degree for TEN years because I had to take a math class (college algebra). I took it and that was that.

Now I am in nursing and the math is pretty basic and not like algebra. You use a few standard formulas that are easily memorized. Please don't let the math scare you off of nursing. Yes its a very important part--you must be able to give the right dosages of meds--but it should not hold you back. There are probably tutors at your school and some very great books out there as well. Look at "Calculating with Confidence" thats the one our school requires.

Wondergirl0905 · Dec 11, 2005

Look at "Calculating with Confidence" thats the one our school requires.

Coopergrrl,

Would you recommend the 2002 or 2005 edition? I think the 2002 comes with a CD and am wondering how helpful it is.

crissiepooh · Dec 11, 2005

I dont mind doing those things (shots, catheders, vomit, poo) but I am hoping it wont be something I will have to do alot thats why I am considering areas that wont have alot of that like pulmonary nursing, psychiatric, legal, even radiology. I guess I am just really afraid, fear is definitly what is holding me back I am so afraid that I wont pass those courses like chemistry and statistics because then everyone who is telling me I wont be able to do it will be right. I have never thought about nursing before but once I knew social work was not for me I realized nursing would be. I really hope to make my decision I have to decide by the 20th. Any advice would be great I want to know what its like in the program and what you do in clinicals. Thanks so much, Crissy

MIA-RN1, RN · Dec 11, 2005

Coopergrrl,
Would you recommend the 2002 or 2005 edition? I think the 2002 comes with a CD and am wondering how helpful it is.

I think I had the 2002 edition but I am not sure. I'd try the cd.

SoulShine75 · Dec 11, 2005

www.purplemath.com You can refresh some of your skils here.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Dec 12, 2005

:)[color=#696969] welcome to the site. enjoy your stay and best wishes to you. :balloons:

casi, ASN, RN · Dec 12, 2005

Become a CNA first, work that a little while you go to school for your basic classes, like science. See how you like the field of nursing first. As a CNA you won't be doing injections or catheters, but you'll be around them, and you'll also get to see what nurses really do. You can go from there.

I tend to go on bits where I question if nursing is right for me, but once i got into my possition as a CNA I knew okay THIS IS WHAT I AM GOING TO DO! It also helpped me get back on track and focus so much more on school so I could get into nursing school.

health4lyf · Dec 12, 2005

Crissie--I can totally relate to your post. I used to be absolutely terrified of needles and couldn't deal with the "yuck" side of nursing. I started off in school as a Medical Assistant and once I got through my clinicals on injections/blood draws, I overcame my fear and realized that the rest would be much easier for me. If it's something you find a passion for, you'll skate right through the more unpleasant sides of it. Plus, there is a standard all nurses must be trained at, but depending on the aspect of nursing one goes into, there are nurses who never have to do things outside of their specialty. If you are wanting to go into forensics or psychiatric nursing, the likelihood that you'll be giving baths and giving injections is pretty slim. That's the great thing about nursing--you can work in any specialty and have a totally different job description than a nurse in a different department. I've tried other things and just realized nursing totally fit who I was. Once you figure out if it's going to fit you, you'll have the confidence and determination to make it all the way through. I wish you the best!