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

manna, BSN, RN · Apr 15, 2004

I don't know how much luck you'd have getting accepted to nursing school with a D in a science course (probably would depend on the rest of your grades, or the criteria upon which the school bases admissions). I'd talk to an advisor or counselor at your school and see what their take on that issue is.

Your performance in the class is probably another issue. Why do you think you're doing so poorly? Is it because of a lack of time, or a problem with the material, or do you know?

GracefulRN · Apr 15, 2004

((((((((((hugs))))))))

First of all do not let this little setback make you give up on your dreams. I know it seems like a huge problem now, but later you will find that in the scheme of things it was just one class. If I understand your post correctly A&P is the first biology is your first science? Well no wonder you have been struggling. IMO A&P is not a science to get your feet wet with. Instead of re-taking this course again in the fall, why not take another biology or chemistry course or nutrition that you are required to take. You'll get that foundation knowledge that they just skim over in A&P and you'll build up your confidence so that you will feel more able to tackle A&P the next time. Hang in there, you'll get there just be more patient with yourself. Much Love :kiss

PS: If the nursing school is worth its salt, it will see that you are very determined to be a nurse no matter how daunting the obsticle is.

llg, PhD, RN · Apr 15, 2004

I agree wholeheartedly with what manna wrote. Because every school is different, only someone from the school you intend to apply to can tell you about your chances.

It would probably be very helpful for you to figure out why you are doing so poorly in school -- because then you could address the problem of your poor performance directly and do something about it. One bad grade may require you to change your plans a little ... delay your acceptance into the nursing program or force you to look at other schools. But one bad grade should not totally prevent you from becoming a nurse, not if you want it badly enough. However, if you don't solve the problem of your poor classroom performance, that will lead to a series of bad grades -- and a series of bad grades could prevent you from becoming a nurse.

llg

kimlpn · Apr 15, 2004

At the CC I attend they call the science classes (A&P and micro) their weeding out classes. Those that can't do these shouldn't go on and usually will not get accepted into the nursing program. The CC I attend also puts everything based on a points system. Your grades and times attempted in the sciences courses carry a large part of the points you receive. The lower the points you have the less chance of getting admitted. Talk to your school and see what their criteria is.

Kim

I'm in need of some encouragement : This is my second attempt in Anatomy I and I know that I'm only going to come out of it with a D. It's not that the work was so difficult, it's just that with my full-time job going away, I've been under some personal stress. I know this grade will stand-- since it's a second attempt, but I'm planning on re-re-taking it next semester. I'm wondering if I should just think of another major, because I don't think I'd stand a chance getting into nursing school (in about 1 1/2 years) with this kind of grade on my first science course. Needless to say I failed the first time. Can someone please tell me what you think??? I'm looking for those who've gone through this. I just can't imagine going into another field besides nursing!!!
Dag....Satan is ALWAYS busy!!!!

lanitra · Apr 15, 2004

I haven't applied to any schools yet. Actually, I won't have all of my other pre-req's completed until about 1 1/2 years from now, so I won't be applying to any school until then. Thank you very much for your kind words. I've heard about the attempts counting against you and that's why I'm soooo worried. To be honest, it's been a difficult adjustment for me with all of the other responsibilities of being a wife/mother/friend/employee/ etc. My husband is wonderful and supportive, but I still have other obligations. Tell me....how do you handle it all....really????

Sheri257 · Apr 15, 2004

As others have mentioned, you really need to check the criteria first before you go any further. I know people who have taken courses over and over, just to find out they wouldn't be accepted anyway. My school allows only two science courses below a C, meaning, even if you take them over again, you still can't have more than two D's, F's or, even, W's or I's.

I'm not trying to be discouraging, but if you already have a D and have failed the same course before, it could be a problem and you need to find out.

:coollook:

lanitra · Apr 15, 2004

I will definately check out the schools that I will be interested in down the road. Thank you for your advice....and encouragement.

kimlpn · Apr 15, 2004

I will definately check out the schools that I will be interested in down the road. Thank you for your advice....and encouragement.

It is hard! I have 2 children also--a teen and a tot! My husband is also supportive. I was accepted into my local CC nursing program after completing all of my generals with a 4.0. I can tell you the points and science classes as I mentioned earlier do play a large factor in the selection process. While doing my generals I ate, slept, and did nothing but generals!!! I have been an LPN for 9 years and chose not to attend my local cc nursing program due to child care issues. I work nights and weekend to allow me to stay home with my 3 y/o...so I chose to do Excelsior college that allows me to do the lpn to rn at home. I am almost done with the exam portion. It has been a great opportunity for me to work on my degree and still juggle my family and job in a way I feel comfortable. My point is maybe you should consider other methods of obtaining your rn degree by taking an LPN course and later bridge via Excelsior or a flexible program if your CC offers one. Never give up and be aware of other alternatives.

Kim

BabyRN2Be · Apr 15, 2004

I definitely feel for you, however, I see one problem. The admission criteria around here is only 2 attempts to pass a class with a "C". If that's not possible, your cut.

As someone else said, maybe you could wait a while, take a starter bio course that wouldn't count against you, the nutrition, psych classes, etc. which may be a little easier on you. Then after you complete these classes, go back and show them you can do well on the subject matter and keep it up! :)

You may want to invest in some serious study guides as well. They really could help, especially when it comes to something like A&P.

Good luck!

orrnlori, RN · Apr 15, 2004

There's no doubt about the fact that A&P I and II are weed out classes where I went to school, they denied it but I KNOW they were. They were nightmare classes, and I know, because I was a tutor and teaching assistant for 2 years in the A & P lab before and while I was a nursing student. The best I can tell you is that life may need to go on hold for you to get through these classes. They required my full efforts and attention. I spent many many many hours working on both of them. I agree that the first thing you need to know is if you can even go forward now with the grades you've got. If they give you the third chance, you need to devote yourself to them. Also, taking the other pre-reqs and scoring high on those might give you some confidence. I feel badly for you, I know I tutored people who had been through the classes several times and still had trouble but they ARE doable. I don't recommend you take a chemistry class at this point. Maybe a life science biology or something easier and more broad. I really wish you the best.

rebel_red · Apr 17, 2004

I left my job to take one as a CNA, the reason was to make sure I could "handle" the nursing fundamentals. The reason I choose LPN over RN (at the moment, I have a BSW so I could have gone to Drexel and had a BSN in 11 mos...) is that I know academically sciences are my weak spot. The LPN program has components of Micro and A & P, however they are not nearly as in depth as what an RN student experiences. (This is my opinion your mileage may vary.) This way you have the very basics of Micro and A & P.

I am not suggesting that you give up on your goal of being an RN. Just saying have you considered, like me, more of a tiered approach?

Plus 40 hours a week of work is an awfully hard nut to crack. I was lucky to be able to scale work back to 16 hours a week. I do have several friends who work 32-40 and maintain a 3.5. My respect for them is enormous. Can you scale back work hours? Have you applied for financial aid? We have a program, locally, that pays for some of my classmates tuition in full. It's through the state and designated for the "underemployed". Perhaps your state has a similiar program?

Anyway everyone has given salient and excellent advice. Don't give up!

Be Well,

Tres