Worried to death about dosage cal!

allnurses Guide · Jun 28, 2012

Also, there are many ways to do calculations.

You will find a method that works best for you.

Once you find one that you like, stick with it!

Don't switch back and forth.

You'll just confuse yourself.

I, personally, was a ratio-and-proportion type of gal.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2012

Here is s free website.......DosageHelp.com - Helping Nursing Students Learn Dosage Calculations

malestunurse · Jun 28, 2012

I'm first year and my main lecturer said 80% of basic drug calcs can be worked out with:

want/got x volume of dosage

Learn your fractions would be my biggest recommendation.

Edit: Just had a look at that website it looks amazing. Thanks for the link Esme12

Mrs.Priss · Jun 28, 2012

I took Math for Allied Health last summer. It is required to apply for the Nursing Program at my school. I was terrified when I started the class, but I actually caught on rather quickly! I too have never been a great math student so it surprised me that I did so well in the class! I had a 103 average at the end and was offered the opportuninty to sit out of the final because they knew I knew my stuff! lol We also are required to take a Math for meds test at the beginning of every semester. Math and Nursing are pretty much BFF's I hear. I would recommend practicing! I have a huge dry/erase board in my home and I write out the problems on there and work them on it. That way I can look at the "bigger" picture, if I get confused! It's really just practice that will help you! I would definitely start, though! I have been doing 10 or so problems a night, just to keep it fresh in my brain. I use my book from my class last summer. It's called math for meds. Hope that helps! :)

sashat88 · Jun 28, 2012

Med calculation is not so bad. I think most people struggle at math. Definitely get a head start and purchase a calculation book. My clinical calculations book is very helpful. If your going to be a nurse you better get used to it, as a nurse you will spend the majority of your time passing meds. But you'll be fine dont worry about it.

kayruhh · Jun 29, 2012

Thanks everyone! I just ordered calculate with confidence off amazon for 10$ new! I would have got the newer edition but I didn't want to spend the extra 30 bucks!

NCRNMDM, ASN, RN · Jun 29, 2012

I am awful at math, and I never seem to catch on to it like everyone else does. I've never got it. I remember sitting in third grade learning long division and thinking " what?!?!" lol. Would you recommend studying this summer and getting the gist of it? Our dosage cal is integrated into pharmacology. I don't want that time to. Ome and me be floundering! If so, any recommended books to help? TIA:D

Our instructors didn't teach us dosage calculations, or medical math. Instead, we had to teach ourselves. There were a few who struggled (and failed out), and a few who still struggle, but we've done pretty well. I always hated math too, but, for some reason, medical math just comes to me. It isn't really all that hard.

Cali_Nurse_209 · Jun 29, 2012

Our instructors didn't teach us dosage calculations, or medical math. Instead, we had to teach ourselves. There were a few who struggled (and failed out), and a few who still struggle, but we've done pretty well. I always hated math too, but, for some reason, medical math just comes to me. It isn't really all that hard.

Same here. I start the BSN program in August and our acceptance letters told us that they wanted us to have a basic understanding of medical terminology and dosage calculations since the program doesn't teach it. Luckily I took those classes before on my free time in 2009 so all I did was review last month. I go over my books to keep it fresh in my head.

Crazed · Jun 29, 2012

Also, there are many ways to do calculations.
You will find a method that works best for you.
Once you find one that you like, stick with it!
Don't switch back and forth.
You'll just confuse yourself.
I, personally, was a ratio-and-proportion type of gal.

I agree. I also used youtube because honestly, sometimes the way things are taught are not always the easiest. Take for example pumps and calculating drops per mins - the formula we were taught is - mL/hr(drop factor of tubing) all over 60. This turns out to be something like 125(20)/60 which are large numbers to work with and the larger the number the easier the mistake. I instead break up the formula so I end up with something like 125/3 - much easier and faster.

Seriously though just go to youtube and start watching basic nursing math or pharmacy math videos.

veggie530 · Jun 29, 2012

This is coming from someone that tutors OB/Peds/med-surge 1/pharm in an ADN program: Start now and don't panic. The worst it gets is BASIC algebra (proportions, basically) and you have months to do 20 minutes a day or so to get ahead. Get one of the aforementioned books, watch youtube videos, google search teaching aides such as .pdf hand outs, basically utilize your resources as much as possible. Be able to convert from lbs to kg and kg to lbs as well as knowing cc to ounces. hope this helps.

pockunit, ADN, RN · Jun 29, 2012

Have you checked out khan academy? It's the bomb.

BloomNurseRN, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2012

Our instructors didn't teach us dosage calculations, or medical math. Instead, we had to teach ourselves. There were a few who struggled (and failed out), and a few who still struggle, but we've done pretty well. I always hated math too, but, for some reason, medical math just comes to me. It isn't really all that hard.

For the most part we did self study also. The instructors went over a few calculations just to make sure we had the hang of it but otherwise we had to know our stuff. There were questions on each of the tests and of course we have two big math tests throughout the program. Good luck!