I am 19 and a pharmacy technician. After working in a hospital I've become even more interested in the medical field. I want to be an RN and eventually a nurse practitioner, but math is my worst subject. It takes me longer than some of the others in my class to understand what I am learning. What kind of math do nurses do and how difficult is it? Would I be able to go far as a nurse if I am weak in math?

Weakness in math can be cured.  It is hard work.  Math is unlike most other subjects.  English Lit, History, Biology can all be learned by reading about them from the text.  In order to learn math you have to DO math; do the problems the instructor assigns, then do the problems that he/she DIDN'T assign.  He/she will be happy to provide the answers, and the rationale or technique required for the solution to be arrived at.  Then go to the college learning center and take a programmed learning course; those problems that you have trouble with, write down.  Your instructor will, again, be glad to go over them with you after class..... the bottom line is, you have to want it... you have to want it a LOT!

Start NOW, don't wait... go to your public library and ask if they have programmed learning courses for you to use, many do.  DO not think "This level is to easy for me, I'll go higher."  Take it from the 5th or 6th grade, and re-learn addition, subtraction, multiplication and division  of fractions and decimals, percentages, etc.  YOU WILL PREVAIL IF YOU WORK IT HARD ENOUGH!  The math used by nurses is not that difficult; learn your basics well and you WILL understand it, I promise.

Dont let that get you down, Iam horrible at math also and I almost let that stop me from taking the TEAS test.  I had horrible anxiety and Iam so glad that I didnt let that happen...I will be starting the program in 21 business days! (LOL!)..

Good Luck to you, and your future career in nursing..

You just need to either take a refresher course from a junior college or get with someone who knows math well.  My daughter is actually helping me with the algerbra.  If you really want to be a nurse, do it!

CherylIF has good advice - I have tutored students in math - it is a matter of PRACTICING each operation over and over until you have it down! You will be okay - have faith in yourself!

I am great at Math, but haven't taken it is over 15 years.  so I am studying on the online Math Compass test.  I am sure you can find some practice exams..  OR better yet go to the library and look up some Algerbra books.  You can do it.  WE will do it together! 

Like many, I was horribe at math,and let it intimidate me for years. When I finally went back to get my BSN, I took 2 maths in one semester. One was online statistcs , the other Algebra.I practiced my butt off, and gained confidence. That's the key is to work the problems. The main thing about math in nursing school is drug calculations and conversions. Learning to convert mg's to Gm's for example. Also, proportion.

Knowing formulas is also a help. I found this out in chemistry, but it served me well in nursing. Good luck. If I can do it, I know you can.

Im 21 and just started my RN prerequisites. I had a lot of trouble with math since i took the accelerated test during HS and went straight to geometry without the basic algebra. Me passing the acceleration test was pure luck. Now im taking a remedial in math before going straight to the nursing program. It's no big deal since the remedial courses helps a lot because it refreshes you and they provide a lot and i mean a lot of practice. It's a good way to prepare you for math nursing... You can do it. :D

I use to be horrible in math.  The first thing I did was to stop telling myself how bad I was in math.  The next thing was to discover my learning style.  Then I got a couple of standard deviants dvds, which by the way are fun, entertaining and really well put together and relearned math on my schedule.  Type in standard deviants in youtube to watch several educational clips to see what I am talking about.  Hope this helps. They have everything from basic math and english to master level physics and astronomy.........