Do You Really Need to be Good at Math and Science to go Into Nursing?

Your Question:
I am really bad in science.....horrible....and I am not really strong in math. Does that mean I shouldn't go into nursing? I am 15, still in high school and i really want to be a maternity registered nurse.

So...Do you need to be good in math and sciences to go into nursing?

My Answer:

Hello dear reader! First of all bravo on thinking so far ahead on what you want to do in another three to four years. Little admission here...I did not choose nursing until my sophomore year of college...eeek! So let that inspire you that you have PLENTY of time to prepare.

Ok, so my typical day as an ICU nurse, yes I use both a lot of math and science knowledge. I am constantly calculating drips and using my science knowledge base to understand what is happening with a patient.

Here is the good news. You are only 15!!!! I do not mean that in an offensive way. I mean that you have so much time to learn AND you are in high school with access to teachers who WANT you to learn their subjects and if you look I am sure there are a ton of tutors available to you.

Please do not let the thought of certain classes deter you from a dream. In college I took basic algebra, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology and statistics prior to applying for the nursing program. I promise it isn't that bad if you start preparing now. The key is to find someone, anyone, that can help you start to understand the work.

Training the brain is like training the mind. The more you practice the quicker and easier subjects will become. Do not say I can't. Make your 2010 New Year's resolution be that you will tackle your fear of math, and then make your 2011 resolution to tackle a science...say chemistry.

So in short..yes you will use math and science in nursing a lot. No you do not have to be perfect at it, but yes you will need to at least be proficient. Good Luck and thanks for the question. We get this one a lot!

Shannon