Can I Apply For Nursing Without Maths?
Can I Apply For Nursing Without Maths?
No, you cannot skip math and science if you want to study nursing. Nursing is a compassionate and rewarding profession that plays an important function in healthcare. Many individuals aspire to become nurses, but some may wonder whether they can pursue this path if they don’t have a strong background in mathematics.
Nurses provide a central role to so many in a variety of professional capacities. They are required to give care, advice, emotional support and more. They feature in multiple healthcare settings, and they are the first point of call for many patients. These highly respected professionals are trained to carry out a range of essential tasks, from taking blood to supervising medication and post-surgery recovery. They can help people battle addiction, overcome mental health issues, and improve their standard of living.
Choosing to become a Nurse is committing to care for others, no matter what, and to live by a defining set of principles. Making a career change at any stage in your life is a big decision as it can often mean retraining, and becoming a Nurse is no exception.
READ: Can you fail maths in Grade 11
Admission Requirements To Study Nursing
It is recommended that you take Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences, but this is not compulsory at all institutions. You will need a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent qualification at exit level 4, with English (50-59%).
NSC Requirements:
- English Home Language or First Additional Language: Level 4
- Mathematics: Level 4
- Life Sciences and/or Physical Sciences: Level 4
The Faculty of Health Sciences evaluates applicants using a Composite Index (CI) score, which is calculated as follows:
- Matric academic results: We consider your results in five subjects—English, Mathematics, the higher of Life Sciences or Physical Sciences, and your two best other subjects. Only percentages are taken into account, not symbols. These results contribute 60% to the overall CI score.
- National Benchmark Test (NBT) scores: The average of your NBT scores contributes 40% to the CI score.
Curriculum for Nursing
First-year
- Introduction to Medical Sciences
- Human Behavioural Sciences I
- Integrated General Nursing Sciences I
- Anatomy for Nursing Sciences I
Second-year
- Physiology and Medical Biochemistry
- Microbiology
- Integrated General Nursing Sciences II
Third-year
- Pharmacology
- Midwifery I
- Integrated General Nursing Sciences III
Fourth-year
- Midwifery II
- Integrated General Nursing Sciences IV
Nursing education places a stronger emphasis on the sciences, clinical skills, and qualities such as compassion and communication. If you are concerned about your math skills, explore nursing programs that align with your strengths and consider alternative pathways or preparatory courses to help you achieve your goal of becoming a nurse. We hope the provided information is helpful, share your thoughts below in the comment section.
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