What Are the Math Requirements for Becoming an LPN?

Nursing is a commonly sought-after degree, but multiple degrees can be earned within this field.

One of the nursing degrees that students can work towards is a licensed practical nurse (LPN).

Some schools call a graduate who earns this degree a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), but the two degrees are the same and will set graduates up for the same opportunities.

The LPN degree program is a certification that takes students on average one to two years to complete.

This quicker timeline, compared to a bachelor's degree, makes this program appealing for people looking to become nurses.

Because the licensed practical nurse certificate program has a shorter timeline, many people question if the math requirements for an LPN are different than a bachelor's degree in nursing.

What Are the Math Requirements for Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse?

LPN certificates are designed to be earned quickly compared to bachelor's degrees.

To help speed up this process, the courses required are highly specialized and focused on the skills one would need daily in nursing.

The math requirements for an LPN certification are usually included as prerequisites to make sure that the class time can be used properly.

Some schools will include college-level math classes in the program, but most only require students to have high school-level math or a limited amount of college algebra or statistics.

The math prerequisites for an LPN certificate are usually less advanced math courses like algebra or statistics.

How Is Math Used Daily in Nursing?

Nursing is a medical-based profession, so biology, anatomy, and physiology are all essential classes.

However, once a nurse begins working in a hospital or doctor's office, they will handle a wide array of tasks that involve math, such as:

• Calculating proper dosages for patient's medications, especially for pediatric patients
• Unit conversions between imperial and metric, as well as Fahrenheit and Celsius
• Further calculations such as glycemic index, body mass index (BMI), and more
• Reading and interpreting patient information on equipment, monitors, and charts
• Tracking patient data to watch ongoing conditions

Nursing, like all parts of the medical field, is a hard science that requires practical applications of math daily.

Nurses also serve as a front line for medical care, meaning they are often responsible for many of the calculations that are performed.

Nurses' math use is often practical algebra, such as addiction, division, multiplication, and subtraction.

Even when performing conversions from imperial units to metric, or vice-versa, the formulas used won't involve things like advanced calculus.

Can I Become a Nurse Without Taking Any Math Classes?

Math is essential to the daily work that nurses perform, but that doesn't mean every nursing program involves math classes.

Becoming a licensed practical nurse is a way to become a nurse with a lower math requirement than higher nursing degrees.

However, just because a university's program doesn't have a math requirement for an LPN, there still will be math in other courses that you are required to take.

It is also important to remember that even without dedicated math classes, math will be a large part of your career.

You also will take classes that use math, they just might not be primarily identified as math-based classes.

Required courses like biochemistry involve calculations that you won't be able to complete without some level of math background.

Can An LPN Certificate Become a Nursing Degree?

An LPN certificate program is commonly used as an entry into nursing. Once students graduate and start working as nurses, they often consider pursuing higher nursing degrees.

Many schools have bridge programs that can help students with an LPN certificate earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

These bridge programs take an average of two to three years to complete.

They also expand the courses needed as a graduate with a BSN will be eligible for more advanced nursing roles.

These programs have added prerequisites and course requirements compared to the LPN certificate.

If you didn't take a college-level math course, usually algebra or statistics, to earn your LPN, you will probably be required to complete one as part of your university's general education requirements or as part of the nursing program.

This is not universal, though, as not all nursing programs have a college math requirement.

Finding an LPN Program That's Right for Me

Entering the nursing field with an LPN certificate can be achievable in one to two years.

Because the math requirements for LPN certificates are lower than BSN, they are often the preferred entry-level education program for aspiring nurses.

To find an accredited LPN program that fits your needs, turn to Learn.

Our database holds thousands of articles and resources to help potential students find educational programs that meet their needs like scheduling, financial matters, and more.

Begin learning about the best LPN program for you today.