Crap...now what?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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So I'm failing Human Anatomy. I'm at a 79 in the class, and everyone knows that this is the most important prerequisite for Nursing school. I'm thinking of withdrawing from the class. However, that automatically withdraws my application from the admissions process.

I'm consistently below the average, and I don't know what to do. Right now, my prerequisite GPA is at a 3.75. If I get a C, it will put me below the average accepted prerequisite gpa, which is a 3.68.

I'm thinking of withdrawing or changing to major, to what, I have no clue.

What should I do?

I'm just worried that the grad school will look at that C+/B- and think that I won't be able to do upper level course work.

Are you applying to a BSN program? If so, you will have plenty of opportunity to show that you can handle upper level course work. While A&P (a 200 level course at my university) is an important step to get into nursing school, how you perform in your nursing classes are going to be much more relevant to grad school than pre-reqs.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.
Are you applying to a BSN program? If so, you will have plenty of opportunity to show that you can handle upper level course work. While A&P (a 200 level course at my university) is an important step to get into nursing school, how you perform in your nursing classes are going to be much more relevant to grad school than pre-reqs.

Yes, I'm applying to a BSN program (really competitive), and the course I'm taking is 199 (almost a 200-level course). I'm just worried because this course is considered the most important of all the Nursing prerequisites (Sociology, Psychology, Biology, Chem I and II, General English are the other prerequisites).

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The way I look at it is this: Why not finish out the class. Let them tell you no, don't cut yourself out of the running just yet. I know at my school, you can have 2 D's in your pre-reqs before you're even considered for being dismissed from the application process. I know all schools are different, but I can't imagine that with a 79 they would give you the automatic cut because of it. The average just means that's about what they're looking for, and 1-tenth of a point isn't going to be that big of a deal in the scheme of things.

Besides is so late in the semester that you'd already be paying for the class. Why not finish it out? If the worst case scenario happens and you don't get accepted, then you have a year to get things right. If you dropped the class you would have to wait a year anyway.

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That is an excellent point. The thing I'm worried about is grad school. Like many people, I want a chance to be able to continue my education, and in order to do so, I have to get good grades for grad school.

I'm just worried that the grad school will look at that C+/B- and think that I won't be able to do upper level course work.

You will have plenty of chances to get better grades. I have an F on my record and a couple of D's but also lots of A's (undergrad GPA - 3.0, graduate GPA - 3.8? 3.9? I've only had a few Bs). I have one MS and I dropped out of another MS program to start nursing pre-reqs. 1 C won't destroy you, trust me.

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Passing the NCLEX in itself doesn't mean you are going to be a great nurse. There are plenty of bad nurses out there, and all of them have passed the NCLEX. Having a 4.0 GPA also doesn't guarantee you will be a great nurse. I think there should maybe be a practical exam, my only guess why they don't is that it would cost more money? Idk.

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True, but not passing the NCLEX means you won't be a nurse (at least until you pass it)

Theoretically there is a practical exam.......it's called clinicals. Clinical instructors aren't supposed to pass any student who isn't safe.

I disagree with lottery based admissions. I think it just promotes a "good enough" attitude that does not serve the profession.

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That is an excellent point. The thing I'm worried about is grad school. Like many people, I want a chance to be able to continue my education, and in order to do so, I have to get good grades for grad school.

I'm just worried that the grad school will look at that C+/B- and think that I won't be able to do upper level course work.

I really think you'll be fine and won't have a problem getting in, my guess is you don't make a regular habit of getting C+'s, so when you take your GRE or whatever applicable test in grad school, you'll get a fine score. I have a 79.6 in A&P right now and I'm not happy about it either, but I'm hoping to do really well on the final. I'd say that's what you should focus on, but definitely keep going.

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Yes, I'm applying to a BSN program (really competitive), and the course I'm taking is 199 (almost a 200-level course). I'm just worried because this course is considered the most important of all the Nursing prerequisites (Sociology, Psychology, Biology, Chem I and II, General English are the other prerequisites).

The bigger concern I'd have, if I were you, is why I was sitting at a 79 average? Am I not understanding the material? Am I trying to cram for exams? Do I need to brush up on my test taking skills?

All of these issues will come back to haunt you in nursing school....addressing them now will serve you well!

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