Nursing Math... do not let the math stop you from becoming a nurse ;)

EmpoweRN
22 Dec 201307:02
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this empowering video, the speaker shares her personal journey from struggling with math and learning disabilities to succeeding in nursing school. She emphasizes that nursing math primarily involves basic algebra and encourages viewers not to let math fears deter them from pursuing a nursing career. She also discusses the importance of handling mistakes in nursing, sharing her own experiences and offering reassurance that everyone makes mistakes but can still be an excellent nurse. The video includes a few sample math problems to illustrate the calculations involved in nursing and invites viewers to request more content if interested.

Takeaways
  • 🌟 The speaker initially didn't consider herself intelligent but found success through determination and hard work.
  • 🏫 She faced academic challenges, including being held back in 8th grade and attending summer school for math.
  • πŸ“š Despite her struggles, she had to take remedial math classes to reach college level before nursing school.
  • πŸ’ͺ The speaker emphasizes that hard work can overcome academic challenges, as she achieved a B average in her math classes.
  • πŸ“ˆ Nursing math primarily involves basic algebra, which can seem simple but requires practice for accuracy.
  • πŸ“ Many nursing schools have pass/fail math exams, which are designed to ensure competency in basic calculations.
  • πŸ‘©β€βš•οΈ Mistakes in nursing can have severe consequences for patients, highlighting the importance of accurate math skills.
  • πŸ“– The speaker's second book addresses common nursing mistakes, emphasizing that everyone makes them and can still be a great nurse.
  • πŸŽ“ The video aims to encourage those who might be intimidated by math to consider nursing as a career option.
  • πŸ‘ The speaker invites viewers to request more nursing math examples if they found the video helpful.
  • πŸŽ„ She shares a personal note about enjoying the holiday season with family and looks forward to future interactions with her audience.
Q & A
  • What was the speaker's initial perception of her own intelligence?

    -The speaker initially did not consider herself very intelligent. She believed she had other qualities that made up for her perceived lack of intelligence.

  • What challenges did the speaker face in her academic journey?

    -The speaker faced challenges such as being held back an entire year in 8th grade, attending summer school for math classes, and having to take remedial math classes when she decided to go back to college.

  • How did the speaker overcome her academic challenges?

    -The speaker overcame her academic challenges by working extremely hard, including staying up late, waking up early, and putting in all her effort to master the subjects she initially struggled with.

  • What was the speaker's experience with nursing math?

    -The speaker found nursing math to be surprisingly basic, mainly involving basic algebra. Despite her history with math struggles, she was able to do well in her math classes as a nursing student.

  • What is the speaker's advice for those who might be intimidated by math in nursing school?

    -The speaker advises that if she could overcome her math challenges, anyone can. She encourages students not to let math fears stop them from considering nursing and to practice enough to pass the exams, as they are typically pass or fail based on basic questions.

  • How does the speaker address the topic of making mistakes in nursing?

    -The speaker acknowledges that mistakes will happen, but emphasizes that they do not define a nurse as a bad or incompetent professional. She shares her own experiences and those of others to normalize the occurrence of mistakes and encourage learning from them.

  • What is the main calculation algorithm mentioned in the script for nursing math?

    -The main calculation algorithm mentioned is 'ordered over on hand equals x', which is used to determine the dosage of medication based on the doctor's order and the available tablet strength.

  • How does the speaker handle a scenario where a patient's symptoms are mixed with unrelated information?

    -The speaker advises focusing on the relevant information needed to answer the specific question being asked, ignoring the unrelated details provided in the scenario.

  • What is an example of a basic nursing math problem discussed in the script?

    -An example problem discussed is calculating the dosage of levaquin when the doctor orders 250 mg and the available tablet is 500 mg, which results in giving half a tablet.

  • How does the speaker plan to further engage her audience on the topic of nursing math?

    -The speaker plans to create more videos on nursing math if the audience shows interest by liking the video and commenting. She encourages viewers to let her know if they want additional examples and explanations.

  • What does the speaker look forward to after the holidays?

    -The speaker looks forward to spending time with her family during the holidays and then reconnecting with her audience, potentially sharing more content on nursing math or other related topics.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ“š Overcoming Academic Challenges in Nursing Math

The speaker, Caroline Thomas, shares her personal journey of academic struggles, particularly in math, and how she managed to overcome them. Despite not considering herself intelligent and having learning disabilities, she excelled in sports and acting. Caroline had to attend summer school for math classes and took remedial math classes before reaching college-level courses. She found nursing math to be surprisingly basic, mainly involving algebra, and encourages viewers that if she could succeed, they can too. Caroline also discusses the importance of practice in nursing math, as one mistake could have severe consequences for patients. She mentions her second book, which includes a chapter on mistakes made by nurses, emphasizing that making mistakes doesn't make one a bad nurse or person.

05:01
πŸ“ Understanding Nursing Math Calculations and Scenarios

In this paragraph, Caroline explains the fundamental calculations involved in nursing math, providing examples to illustrate the process. She emphasizes that while the questions may seem simple, they can be tricky when presented within complex scenarios. Caroline uses examples of drug dosage calculations to demonstrate how to convert orders into practical administration amounts. She also mentions the potential for distractions within a clinical scenario and advises viewers to focus on the relevant information for the math problem at hand. She concludes by inviting viewers to request more videos on the topic and shares her excitement for the holiday season.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Nursing Math
Nursing Math refers to the mathematical calculations and problem-solving skills required in the field of nursing. It is crucial for nurses to accurately perform these calculations to ensure correct dosages and treatments for patients. In the video, the speaker reassures viewers that despite her own struggles with math, the nursing math involved is basic algebra, emphasizing that with practice, anyone can master it.
πŸ’‘Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities are neurological conditions that affect the brain's ability to process and respond to information. These disabilities can impact various areas of learning, such as reading, writing, or math. In the context of the video, the speaker discloses that she was held back a year in 8th grade due to learning disabilities, which adds a personal andεŠ±εΏ— element to her story of overcoming challenges in math and succeeding in nursing school.
πŸ’‘Remedial Math Classes
Remedial math classes are educational courses designed to help students strengthen their foundational math skills to reach a level necessary for more advanced coursework. The speaker had to take these classes to prepare for college-level math, which demonstrates her determination to overcome her academic challenges and pursue her nursing career.
πŸ’‘Prerequisites
Prerequisites are required courses or skills that a student must complete or possess before enrolling in more advanced courses. In the video, the speaker talks about taking prerequisite math classes for nursing school, highlighting the importance of having a solid foundation in math to succeed in the nursing program.
πŸ’‘Pass or Fail Exam
A pass or fail exam is an assessment where students either meet the minimum requirements to pass or do not, without receiving a letter grade. The speaker mentions that many nursing schools have pass or fail exams for math, emphasizing that the focus is on achieving competency rather than achieving a high grade. This structure is meant to reduce stress and ensure that students can safely apply their knowledge in practice.
πŸ’‘Mistakes
Mistakes in the context of the video refer to errors made by nurses during their practice, which can have significant consequences for patient care. The speaker shares her own experiences and those of other nurses to normalize the idea that everyone makes mistakes and that it's a part of the learning process. She uses this concept to encourage viewers that they can still be excellent nurses despite the possibility of making errors.
πŸ’‘Nursing School
Nursing school refers to educational programs that prepare students to become registered nurses. These programs typically include both classroom instruction and clinical practice. The video's main theme revolves around the speaker's experiences and advice for those considering entering nursing school, particularly focusing on the aspect of math involved in the nursing profession.
πŸ’‘Medication Dosage
Medication dosage refers to the amount of a drug that is prescribed to be given to a patient. Accurate calculation of dosages is critical in nursing to ensure patient safety and effectiveness of treatment. The video provides examples of how nurses must calculate dosages based on the medication ordered and the form available, which is a fundamental skill in nursing math.
πŸ’‘Patient Safety
Patient safety is the prevention of harm and ensuring the well-being of patients receiving healthcare services. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of accurate math calculations in nursing to avoid miscalculations that could lead to severe consequences for patients, highlighting the critical role of precision in nursing practice.
πŸ’‘Motivation
Motivation in this context refers to the speaker's intention to inspire and encourage prospective nursing students, particularly those who may be apprehensive about the math component of their education. By sharing her personal struggles and triumphs, the speaker aims to motivate viewers to persevere and believe in their ability to succeed in nursing school and their future careers.
πŸ’‘Holidays
In the video, the holidays are mentioned as a time when many prospective nursing students might be starting their nursing programs. The speaker uses this as an opportunity to address common concerns about nursing math and to provide reassurance and encouragement to those who may be nervous about beginning their nursing education during this festive season.
Highlights

Carolyn P Thomas shares her personal journey with learning and math challenges.

Despite not considering herself intelligent, Carolyn excelled in sports and acting classes.

Carolyn faced academic struggles, leading to being held back in 8th grade due to learning disabilities.

High school saw Carolyn attending summer school regularly, mostly for math classes.

Returning to college required Carolyn to take remedial math classes to reach college-level proficiency.

In nursing school, Carolyn found math questions to be surprisingly basic, focusing on algebra.

Nursing schools often have pass/fail math exams, emphasizing the importance of practice.

Carolyn's second book addresses mistakes made by new nurses and the importance of learning from them.

Mistakes are a part of the nursing profession, and one must accept imperfection to continue providing excellent care.

Carolyn aims to encourage those who may be intimidated by math in nursing through her personal experiences.

The video provides a basic calculation algorithm for nursing math: ordered amount over on-hand amount equals the dosage to administer.

An example calculation involves administering half a 500 mg tablet for a 250 mg order of levaquin.

Scenario-based questions may include irrelevant information to test a nurse's focus on the relevant math problem.

Carolyn emphasizes that even simple-looking questions can be challenging and require careful attention.

Another example calculation involves giving four 25 mg tablets of Toprol to fulfill a 100 mg order of mopol.

Carolyn offers more calculation examples in potential future videos, inviting viewer feedback.

Carolyn shares her excitement for the holiday season and looks forward to future interactions with her viewers.

Transcripts
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