Although it has been a “minute” since I was in nursing school, I still remember initially feeling intimidated by dosage calculations and medical math. I did well enough in high school math, but not to the point where I thought I would become an engineer or mathematician. Dr. Singh, my chemistry and dosage calculations instructor during my nursing prerequisites, completely changed my perspective. He was incredibly knowledgeable, but more importantly, he made learning relaxed, organized, and even enjoyable. That experience stayed with me throughout nursing school and continues to influence how I teach dosage calculations in my own academic practice today.
There are several principles I strongly believe in when teaching medical math. First, start with the basics by mastering units of measurement and common conversions. Second, use dimensional analysis — or at minimum, consistently use one calculation method that works for you. Constantly switching methods often creates confusion and errors. Third, approach dosage calculations systematically by following the same steps every time you solve a problem. Repetition and structure build confidence. Finally, always write out your work on paper and show every step, even if exams such as the NCLEX or standardized tests do not require it.
