Anatomy! Nursing School...do I stand a chance?

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Apr 20, 2004

First off John if you don't have kids so you truly have no clue how time consuming things can be, taking care of 2 cats is sh*t compared to kids. But having said that I have two little kids and make straight A's so it certainly can be done, and yes I do sleep :) I never use having kids as an excuse because they are not. My kids help me to be a better student and find time to study, they are my motivation for a lot of things in life, including school and doing well.

But other than that I do agree with your post. Some people do have to study that much to make an A, for me I did not and I made A's in both Anatomy, Physio, Micro, Biology, etc etc but for Chemistry to make an A I had to study 2 hours a day, everyday, and a major review before tests on the weekend.

If she is making D's both times, there is something wrong she is doing, probably not very good study habits I would bet. She also mentioned that the "next time, she wouldn't take the class for granted" I'm not sure what she meant by that but it struck me as odd- you can't go into Anatomy thinking that way. It doesn't sound like she is very serious about it because a D both times? I would agree with some of the others if her study and time management skills are not up to par she needs to start with some easier classes and build up her study skills that way--nothing wrong with that at all.

But I feel she can overcome this and go on, though with a D some schools may not accept her (just the way things are anymore), we have people at my school who are having to retake classes they got a B in! And a B is a good grade!

Good luck to the OP though, I really believe that if there is a will there is a way, though it may not be easy or take longer than you think. I hope no parts of my post came across as rude to anyone or condescending because that was NOT my point at all, I truly hope the OP can overcome her problems because I always like to hear sucess stories :)

Marilyn

Purple Princess · Apr 22, 2004

At our college; it is required that you have a C or better in all of your courses before entering the nursing program. Your grade point average has to be at least 2.5. However; I found out this school year preference was given to those with an average between 3.0 and 3.5. The higher the better. My very first semester I got 68% in Anatomy I but failed English I ( teacher total witch!) And so I had to repeat both courses and was placed on a waiting list for the nursing program. Got a B the second time I took these courses. And a B in Anatomy II as well. I eventually got into the program just two weeks before the first nursing class started. But certain classes have to be taken before you can continue in the nursing program. Sometimes you pass the fundamentals but not anatomy so your dropped from the program and are only readmitted once forever. Well; hope my tidbits help. And good luck. Anatomy is tough. Hey; our school has basic human structure. Maybe your school has something similar!!!!!

aldedmon · Apr 22, 2004

"You can make it if you Try-I-I." Have 3 kids too just Ayndim. The same ages, Isn't that weird. Mine are Boy, Girl, Girl....Anyway, Last summer I had an epiphany. Me thinks I'll go to nursing school I says to the misses, who is a BSN Univ of TX at Austin...my alma Mater thank you very much. So anyway, I already have a degree in Biology so science is no big deal. I mean, I aint no brainiac or nothin' ,but I aint a feared of it neither. Okay back to the story.Anyway, I took Philosophy,Dev Psych,Nutrition and Art Appreciation...during the 12 week summer session...12 hours...all "A". I took API and Statistics last fall 7 hours all "A"'s, I took APII and Intro psych this spring as in now(I say took it because I took the Psych final today and only needed to make a 70 to get the "A". could have forfeited the exam and netted a B and All I need is a 75 out of 200 points on the next AP lab to get the "A".) This is no brag....I said that I have 3 kids and I am handling my WHAT??......My Business. (Let me run it down for the ladies out there BEFORE they overide me with "But you wife is there to...)The trick is...you have to be focused.Lets rehash, that's 12 course hours in the summer + 2 kids + one very pregnant wife, plus a fulltime gig, plus cut the lawn, wash the cars take out the trash, pick up the kids AND..........Cook...Yeah that's right...a renaissance man. I adore my kids and they are MY primary responsibility. But, the difference between me and the young lady is ....I'm old. I'm 41. I made my academic mistakes in undergrad and they cost me a career in medicine. I interviewed but was not accepted into medical school because my grades were to low. Truth be told, had I gotten in, I probably would have flunked out unless a miracle happend. Not that I couldn't have handled the academia, its just that I wasn't disciplined, focused, clear, determined, HUNGRY enough. 20 years later, several careers come and gone, a wife, a mortgage ,3 kids, 3 cars, Insurance, BILLS,private school all around... do you think I have the drive now?, Do you think I have the focus now? Do you think I have the determination now. Am I HUNGRY NOW?!?!, You Damn RIGHT! When she clears her personal hurdles and reprioritizes her life, she can / will make it in whatever venture she chooses. BUT as long as her education plays second fiddle, she will NOT be successful at pursuing her goal. Quite Frankly, i have never given up on my goal of becoming a Dr. I have just been accepted into an accelerated nursing program and after successfully completing it,with high marks mind you, I will be reapply to Medical school for the 3rd time. They say 3rd time's the charm. And I do want to encourage the young lady to NOT GIVE UP!

And Don't table it either. I tabled my dream for 15 years. I should have never done that. I could already have realized my goals by now. But I'm not complaining. I love the fun that I've had, but now its time for Daddy to become, first Nurse Daddy and then Dr. Daddy. So take it from an old head, "Hang on in there baby"

lanitra · Apr 22, 2004

WOW! I guess I thought that I was ready, but after reading all of the posts, I guess I'm not ready ENOUGH. I haven't responded to many of the posts b/c I was too busy reading and thinking about my priorities. When I first began this journey, all I kept hearing was, "It's gonna take some sacrificing...., but it can be done." I THOUGHT that I was ready for the sacrifices, but I've learned that I wanted to "pick and choose" WHAT I was willing too sacrifice (if that makes sense). I've always been a person that was there for everyone-- friends, family, job, etc. and it's been a major adjustment not being there. My husband thought that I had lost my mind when I told him how guilty I've been feeling b/c I needed to stay home and write a paper instead of attending my b-i-law's b-day party. I'm trying to get to the point that I don't "feel" bad for not always being there for everyone and everything as I have been in the past and I'm finding out that my school work is suffering. It's not that I'm not studying, but I'm spreading myself so thin that I'm not putting AS MUCH as I need to put into it. Some of you may have a difficult time relating, but it's been difficult trying to make that transition in a semester. I've made some adjustment and I thought that I had it under control, but it's not enough for the classes that I've been taking. I (and my husband) have decided that I'm going to continue doing the best that I can (at THIS point) and take the summer off to re-evaluate myself and everything else and find out if I'm REALLY ready to do what I have to do to become a nurse.

Thank you very much for your words (whether good or bad), encouragement, etc. I'll keep you posted on my decisions.

L

orrnlori, RN · Apr 22, 2004

I do think some folks just can't make the commitment, I'm not trying to bad mouth you or anything. I think it's a natural human condition, particularly among women who feel they need to be there for everyone in their lives. It does take some selfishness as well as some thick skin to say "I'm going to do this for me!" and the rest of you have to take care of yourselves. You see it here all the time, from the moms with kids. It's just natural.

I actually went to see a psychologist for several months before I quit my job and started school in earnest for two reasons. The first issue was whether I could literally walk away from a well paying job and become dependent financially on my husband. This was something I had never done, I'd been on my own since the age of 18 and was always self-supporting. The other issue was could I really make the commitment and let my family fend for themselves or was I going to drive myself nuts with guilt. Well, I obviously answered both those questions and went on and did it. Once I started, I was determined NOT to let anything get in my way.

I think taking the summer off is a good idea. Only you can decide if you want to do this and you can put your mind in such a frame that you are successful. I wish you luck.