Do I take the class over again?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I guess I'm going to add to the list of "what should I do" postings...only because I'm hoping to get some sound advice from like-minded people here.

I just finished A&P I yesterday and was scheduled to continue onto A&P II in the fall. I just barely squeaked by with a B...and I do mean barely! I thought for sure I had a C, but was pleasantly surprised when I checked my grade earlier today. But I'm seriously considering retaking A&P I in the fall instead, only because I don't feel like I learned as much as I should have. Maybe I'm taking this nursing thing too seriously, but considering that I'm responsible for peoples lives I feel like I should know this stuff a lot better. Plus I've heard a rumor that by taking the class again it can repair a little of the damage done to my GPA (I was a 4.0 before this stinkin class).

Is it silly for me to take the class over with a B? Mind you, this last semester was my first of taking any intense science classes, as I've just barely started my prereqs. I was a horrible student in high school and never really developed my studying abilities as I never had parents that cared about how I did in school. I'm now 31 and trying to brush off the dust and this semester really taught me a lot about how I learn and what are the best ways to retain such dense information, but by the time I figured it out I was already on a downward spiral. So I know I will do a lot better if I take it again. But I also don't want to make life harder and put myself back one more class before I can finally apply for nursing school.

Also, is it true that retaking it will help my GPA a little (granted that I get an A this time)? How does that work?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!

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I would not take the class over. Most schools won't allow you to take a class over unless you get a D or lower.

From my understanding (I start nursing school in the fall), your nursing classes will brush up on the parts of anatomy and physiology that will be important as you move through the program. If the programs you are applying to accept B's there is no reason to retake it.

If you feel like you need to brush up on some of the information, you could do that with the numerous A&P study guides available.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

2 out of 3 of the college I've been to allow you retake classes regardless of your grade.

I don't think it's silly to retake it if you don't feel comfortable moving forward without a firm grasp on the material. It's basically a choice between catching up now and catching up later. You may want to catch up now when there's less pressure. I don't think there's a wrong choice.

Depending on your nursing school, they should either take your highest attempt (or most recent) at A&P or they'll average them both together...either way, it gives you a higher GPA, but not by much with the averaging method.

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I don't know how your school is, but the program I was accepted to penalizes you for retaking a class and that knocks points off your app, whether you had a good grade or not. Honestly, if it were me I wouldn't retake it, u can always review things u weren't comfortable. I received a B(88%) in AP and As in the rest of my classes. My BSN program is very competitive, only accepts 30 and I was accepted. But ultimately it's your decision and do what you think is best.

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If you're wanting to get a better grade in the class then I'd say go for it if that's what you really want. If you're more worried about whether you learned the material you could look into auditing the class.

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I think you need to discuss this with the nursing advisor at your school. The way points are allocated are different in every school.

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I guess it depends on where you will be applying to. The community college I was going to doesn't allow you to retake a prereq unless you got a D in the class. The university I am transferring to in the Fall does not allow it, either... Do a lil research before retaking it, just so you don't waste any time...

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Thanks everyone for the input. I didn't even think about the fact that they may not allow me to retake it, or even possibly penalize me for it (that would suck)! At this point I think I'm just going to be happy with my B and make it a point to study any sections that I don't feel like I know well, but on my own time. It's mainly the memorization parts that I don't feel like I completely grasped, such as the muscles and every little foramen and process on the bones. It takes a lot to memorize that crap!

Thanks again!

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Shoot, I don't even remember all that stuff! And I got all A's in my prereqs! LOL

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.
Shoot, I don't even remember all that stuff! And I got all A's in my prereqs! LOL

Ditto to that one! I even took a Continuing

Ed refresher A&P course last fall on TOP of the A&P classes I'd already taken and i don't remember jack about the bones or muscles'

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I probably wouldn't take it over--especially since it is a very difficult class and you earned a respectable B. I am re-taking a psych I class that I got a C in over 25 years ago since it doesn't look good to have a C in a class that should be a pretty easy A, but I don't think I would repeat A&P if I got a B.

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If you go to a community college and received student aid, you can only take so many credits before the cut you off. I wouldn't retake this class because like OP said you will review this in the Nursing courses. In the meantime study what you had trouble with and focus on A&P II.

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