Worried about algebra

Rbeck911, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2015

I'm a working RN/ADN and spoke with an enrollment counselor today. I have a few general ed classes I still need (i.e. Govt and nutrition) and I haven't had Chem since HS (a very long time ago I have tried taking algebra at community college but always get very bogged down with the large amount of homework required, along with working. I am great with basic math and never have a problem with day to day calculations, if I need to do any. Does WGU require algebra? The course description says, "foundations of college mathematics". Can anyone tell me what that is exactly?

I also struggled with Math during my degree. My advice is when it comes time to enroll in algebra, take an online course. Many advisers will say to stay away from online Math, but for me it helped. The benefit is that you can watch something over and over that you don't understand until it clicks. Alternatively, you are in a class with people just like you and everyone has questions and you must compete for time with the instructor. Then you have to go to tutoring somewhere and again compete for time. Online courses allow you to repeat the instructions at your own pace.

Regarding WGU, I have not heard of a BSN program that does not require algebra. Most, I believe, advance to statistics. Be ready, and good luck!

BSN2b_JP · Feb 16, 2015

I am horrible at math, and got an A in algebra. It's good to look for a professor with a good review. Look up a site for proffesor ratings and that will also help. You can work and do it. I did full time at a pediatric dental office and 4 gen Ed classes at the same time and algebra included in those. Find a great professor and just try to focus! I haven't done an online college math class. But that may be an easier route.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2015

The WGU foundations of college math course was mostly basic math: whole numbers, addition, subtraction, multiplication, dividion fractions, percentages, ratios, proportions, decimals, integers, absolute value, and basic prealgebra.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2015

BTW, I enrolled in WGU's RN-to-BSN program in May of last year. I was worried I'd have to take the foundation of college mathematics course, but the transcript evaluator waived it because I had an ASN degree.

I only had to take a basic statistics course, which was very doable because it contained no calculations, just theory and concepts. As someone who was caught in the remedial math vortex for 15+ years, algebra would have been a setback.

lovetosleep · Feb 18, 2015

I also got the algebra class waived because of my Rn license. I did have to take statistics, which almost prevented me from signing up to the program. I can do dosage calculations all day, but when it comes to normal math I'm totally lost and useless. I am a anxious mess with math.

The statistics course is mostly definitions and concepts. The most math I had to do was adding and dividing to find mean and medians. If I can do it, anyone can!

heartsgal, ADN, RN · Feb 19, 2015

BTW, I enrolled in WGU's RN-to-BSN program in May of last year. I was worried I'd have to take the foundation of college mathematics course, but the transcript evaluator waived it because I had an ASN degree.
I only had to take a basic statistics course, which was very doable because it contained no calculations, just theory and concepts. As someone who was caught in the remedial math vortex for 15+ years, algebra would have been a setback.

Thank you commuter and love to sleep, that relieves a great deal of my anxiety. I just filled out my application this week and hopefully in a few weeks I can get this ball rolling. The traditional track of trying to attend school a couple days a week is a huge pain in the proverbial butt so I'm ready for a new and fresh approachðŸ˜Š