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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to a) want to become a nurse at 37 and b) want to be a nurse even though I'm crap at maths!!

29 replies

Daisycat22 · 04/08/2013 19:22

Well I'm 37, got a background of office work but always wanted to be a nurse or social worker.

6 months ago I got a job working in a residential home and I love the work.

This has made me really want to pursue my nursing ambition but I am 37 and more importantly I'm really terrible with maths!

I think I've almost developed a phobia as anything maths related just makes me feel funny!

Can any nurses tell me just how much maths and what kind is used in nursing please?

OP posts:

SuckAtRelationships · 04/08/2013 19:26

A) Not at all

B) Not sure as I worry that some DRs (OK, not some but the one that I know) are terrible at basic maths.

kidsinamerica · 04/08/2013 19:27

Firstly my Mum didn't begin her training until she was 38 and she finished her career recently and was widely know as one of the best.

Secondly go to your local library and get on a beginners maths course. You'll find it's not a scary as you fear - good luck - you really can do it!!

PeriodFeatures · 04/08/2013 19:27

Hello. In Nursing, you are expected to do intermittent Maths Tests during training and will have to have a Maths test as part of job application.

Don't worry too much. I have known some very very incapable people qualify and get jobs in nursing. Myself included.

No not really. I'm not a nurse but started professional training late and had to jump that maths hurdle. It's not that bad once you get your head around it.

Montybojangles · 04/08/2013 19:30

You need basic math, that's all. It's easy, don't let that put you off (but there's a whole lot of other stuff that should send you running to the hills!!)

Please think really hard about it. I wish I had chosen an alternative career to nursing. I love the fulfilling feeling when I can see the difference I have made to someone's health, and doubt any other profession could give me that, but most of the time I just feel stressed, over worked, unappreciated and tired. I'm payed for a 37.5 hour week, I probably work 50+, and that's before the time spent reading journals etc to keep my knowledge updated and relevant.

Littleen · 04/08/2013 19:35

Good luck! Don't worry too much about maths - it should only be completely basic, and if you don't already know it, a good friend or a tutor could help you get it :) If you really struggle, writing down step by step instructions for yourself on how to solve math tasks will make it easier, and eventually you'll be able to do it on your own. I went from failing maths to top student with that method :P It really helps!

Longtallsally · 04/08/2013 19:35

I helped coach a friend through her nursing exams and she was really, really awful at maths. However, she discovered that it isn't as hard as school maths as you don't need to get your head around all of that geometry, and angles and stuff. She also found that it helped a lot realising that she could use a lot of common sense - and that her maths would help her save lives too. If an adult had to have a certain dose of medicine, and she had to work out the percentage that a child would need - say 50% of the adult dose - then it gave her a new way of thinking about it.

I would have loved to have retrained and worked as a nurse too. All of your life experiences will stand you in really good stead. Best of luck.

Freudianslap · 04/08/2013 19:38

Age should be no barrier and from what I see on the wards the maths is quite systematic so could be easily mastered.

I work with quite a few nurses who came to the job later a and they are awesome.
I say do it!!!!

LookMaw · 04/08/2013 19:40

I don't think the age thing would be an issue. You're taught to calculate correct doses of medication on an application called safemedicate, it used to do my head in as I've always done everything in my head but I suppose if you were bad at math it would be very useful.

LookMaw · 04/08/2013 19:41

Oh and think seriously hard about it. I would put my bladders capacity above my mathematic capabilities if I were looking for something to worry about!

Montybojangles · 04/08/2013 19:42

Its-what you want (ie 50mg), divided by what you've got (say 150mg), x what it's in (say 30mls) = the dose (10mls).

Simples.

Rate minder pumps now work out how quickly drips run, so no need to work out drops per minute.

Montybojangles · 04/08/2013 19:44

Lol @ LookMaw too true, you have to be able to go 12 hours without peeing, most definitely

IsisOhIsis · 04/08/2013 19:45

My mum recently qualified aged 48. You won't be retiring until 67 or something so its definitely not too late! The maths is easy enough and you can use a calculator! (im rubbish at maths!)

MissDuke · 04/08/2013 19:48

Have you looked into the entry requirements for you local uni? You most likely will require at least a C in GCSE maths. I am starting midwifery next month and needed a B.

Maths seems scary, but when you break it down and make it relevant to drug calculations - it does make sense.

I think you should go for it!!

Fraxinus · 04/08/2013 19:49

There is Maths and Maths.

I am great at Maths, in that I can work out what the sum is that I need to do... You know, read the problem, and set out the necessary sum. However I am AWFUL at Maths because I cannot calculate. I can add and subtract, but am never SURE if the answer is correct, and FORGET multiplication and division.

It is worth thinking about which aspect of Maths you are not good at, and yes, the council run Maths courses, and will assess you, but some reflection and self assessment is a useful starting point.

Good luck

angeltattoo · 04/08/2013 19:50

No, not too late! The oldest person in my cohort was 57, and coincidentiallygot very high marks academically.

Get yourself a 'drug calculations for nurses' book from ebay and have a look - it's not like school maths and thinking about the application in practice helps make it understandable.

Finally, I love being a nurse. There are so many different and interesting jobs you can do. For example I am a research nurse, it is so interesting, nice hours etc. i hope to be a clinical nurse specialist once I have finished my masters.

My nurse training was the hardest, yet most rewarding thing I have ever done (this statement may change -14 week old DD in my arms!) and the sense of achievement was great.

Go for it - good luck!

grumpyoldbat · 04/08/2013 20:07

Not to old at all.

I've not started yet but AFAIK it's basic arithmetic you need. I second the idea of getting stuff from the library. More so you can build up confidence for your own sake.

Original poster

Daisycat22 · 05/08/2013 00:19

Thank you so much for all the positive replies.
I will definitely get myself a book on drug calculations to see what it's all about and I'm about to take a level 2 maths course (I have the other entry criteria)
Just think I need to get out of my negative thinking pattern when it comes to maths

OP posts:

Rummikub · 05/08/2013 00:29

You can also check out the move-on.org website prior to starting your level 2 maths. It's great for brushing up and building your confidence. And bbc bite size website too.

tangerinefeathers · 05/08/2013 00:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lj8893 · 05/08/2013 00:36

My mum trained as a nurse in her mid to late 40s.

As bright and intelligent as she is, if she can do the calculations needed then a monkey could do them (sorry mum!)

Mouthfulofquiz · 05/08/2013 04:59

I do think it is important for nurses to have a good grip of maths and numbers these days. If you don't know the difference between 500mg and 500g then some bad shit can happen. You need to be able to cope with technology too. If you can get to grips with using maths regularly it does become easier. I was a ward based health care professional in a previous life and this is generally what I found to be true. You cannot avoid the maths so just put your big girls pants on and embrace it!!

daisychain01 · 05/08/2013 05:09

I think you also need a reasonable command or just awareness of maths for blood pressure calculations and doing pulse rates so you do them consistently in terms of rounding up or down. I think you will honestly be fine if you do a gcse maths class. You could lose your mental block and gain confidence. Go for it!

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 05/08/2013 07:11

I'm a nurse and I'm rubbish at maths. However I can do drug calculations we all use calculators anyway

You'll need to learn to use pumps, check drip rates and learn drugs and dosages and you'll have to pass maths tests as part of your training. Buy a drug calculation book and just practice. The more you do it the easier it gets.

You aren't too old.

MakingAnotherList · 05/08/2013 07:51

Admittedly I enjoy maths, but the test that I had to do during my training was ridiculously easy.
We had 10 minutes to complete the paper, with calculators.
It took me about 50 seconds, without.
It's not quite the job I imagined. If I had my time again I wouldn't have picked nursing.

hemel07 · 05/08/2013 08:52

I hate maths, am totally rubbish at it and still manage to make a good nurse! I think there is more emphasis on maths throughout the training these days than when I did mine, but I wouldn't let it put you off.

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