3 answers
Jordyn
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
1
Question
Asked
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If math and sciences are not always your strong suit, is it still possible to go into the medical field?
To be more specific, after nursing, I would like to go farther and become a neonatal nurse practitioner. Would this career be possible not being great at math and some sciences? Or would there be a better option for me that you would recommend?
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3 answers
Isabel Alencar
Nurse Practitioner/ Nurse Executive
2
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Isabel’s Answer
Nursing as a whole is a lot more about basic math and science, (think algebra, biology, anatomy, physiology) than the specifics you take as prerequisites. (Physics, organic chemistry, calculus) The science and math classes are applicable to areas of medicine as a whole, and depending what area of healthcare you go into you will use the more specific classes, but taking these required courses gives you big picture understanding of the things going on with your patients. Day-to-day you will need basic math and science knowledge to accomplish your tasks. When ordering medication, especially for pediatrics and neonates, you will calculate the dosage per kg of body weight in many instances, and that is the type of math you will use daily in your role. Don't let the fear of these classes deter your you from your dream. There's so much more that goes into being a NP than just those classes and you can be great even if those classes are not your strong suite.
If you really struggle, go to office hours or tutoring to help you.
Isabel recommends the following next steps:
Flor Ordoñes
Marketing
1
Answer
San Fernando, California
Updated
Flor’s Answer
In short, yes!
Many medical professionals go into the medical field with math & science not being their strong suit. However, with enough determination, accountbility to view where you need and to ask for help, it is possible. Colleges have many resources available to ensure you earn a great grade. Finding ways to collelate your diffucult subjects to everyday life is also a great best practive that I have learned as well.
Many medical professionals go into the medical field with math & science not being their strong suit. However, with enough determination, accountbility to view where you need and to ask for help, it is possible. Colleges have many resources available to ensure you earn a great grade. Finding ways to collelate your diffucult subjects to everyday life is also a great best practive that I have learned as well.
Brianna C., MS, SLP
Speech language pathology
148
Answers
Nashville, Tennessee
Updated
Brianna’s Answer
Hi Jordyn,
There are many people who aren't fans of math and science who work in medical fields. A lot of it is the difference between theoretical/academic math and science and how these subjects can be functionally applied in the field, which is often much easier for people to learn. If you are interested in nursingz try taking a health science class to see how these ideas are applied.
What many people struggle with is that nursing and medical schools have a lot of STEM prerequisites that are more theoretical. You have to get through these courses before you get to how they are applied for medicine. That's stuff like statistics, calculus, microbiology, microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry, and anatomy.
It is up to you of you want to complete these courses and pursue nursing or find another track into the medical field. Learn how you learn (are you a visual learner, learn by doing?, do you need to write things down?, do you need 1-on-1 help or do you need a group setting?, etc), and commit to studying these courses in a way that is most effective for you personally. And remember that you don't need straight As. You need to pass, you need to be confident in your knowledge, and you need to know where and how to get help of you are uncertain. This doesn't always mean As across the board.
Here are a few other health care jobs that don't require as many STEM courses in your education and training: medical billing and coding, medical scribe, medical social worker, patient advocate, counselor or therapist, family planning counselor, genetic counselor, health care administration, medical technologist.
There are many people who aren't fans of math and science who work in medical fields. A lot of it is the difference between theoretical/academic math and science and how these subjects can be functionally applied in the field, which is often much easier for people to learn. If you are interested in nursingz try taking a health science class to see how these ideas are applied.
What many people struggle with is that nursing and medical schools have a lot of STEM prerequisites that are more theoretical. You have to get through these courses before you get to how they are applied for medicine. That's stuff like statistics, calculus, microbiology, microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry, and anatomy.
It is up to you of you want to complete these courses and pursue nursing or find another track into the medical field. Learn how you learn (are you a visual learner, learn by doing?, do you need to write things down?, do you need 1-on-1 help or do you need a group setting?, etc), and commit to studying these courses in a way that is most effective for you personally. And remember that you don't need straight As. You need to pass, you need to be confident in your knowledge, and you need to know where and how to get help of you are uncertain. This doesn't always mean As across the board.
Here are a few other health care jobs that don't require as many STEM courses in your education and training: medical billing and coding, medical scribe, medical social worker, patient advocate, counselor or therapist, family planning counselor, genetic counselor, health care administration, medical technologist.