Any current nurses who were not strong in science?

ijuanabhappy, ASN, RN · Jun 5, 2008

I was horrible in Chemistry and failed it twice when I attempted it over 15 years ago! Thank goodness I did not need it for the Associates program I just got accepted into. All of the other courses I made A's in, but that may be due to my older age now and trying harder than I did so many years ago. You just have to really study hard and get yourself to understand the concepts somehow, whether that be through a tutor or other books. For me, I had to study things over and over again, draw pictures, etc., until I got it. Anatomy was easy for me because I am interested in the body. Physiology was more challenging and I barely made the A. Micro was interesting but challenging. If you put your mind to it, you can get through it!

TazziRN, RN · Jun 5, 2008

Critical thinking will come with practice, don't worry.

I was weak in the fine sciences. I did great in anatomy, did okay in the gross part of physio but had problems with the rest, and nearly flunked micro. I cannot comprehend what I cannot see. I passed micro with the bare minimum grade, got accepted to nursing school and passed my boards the first time around. Don't worry, you can do it !!

doglvr · Jun 5, 2008

I never did well in science until I started to take my pre-reqs for nursing school. I remember failing science once in 7th grade! Once I started high school, I took as little science as I needed to graduate and got by with grades in the mid 70s-low 80s. Nursing is my second degree, so when I was taking biology in college for my previous degree I ended up with a C. Basically I just did what I needed to get by.

However, when I started to take my prereqs for nursing, I knew I would have to work extra hard to get excel and wasn't willing to settle of a C. By that time in my life, I was much more focused on school and wanted to be a nurse sooo much that I was willing to invest a lot of time studying and learning as much as I could. By recongizing that you are not so strong in science, you have taken the first step to improving! Like the other posters said, I also found that A&P was so much more interesting than chemistry and micro because you're learning about your body and how it works!

You will be fine- trust me! You just have to really want it and work hard. If I can do it so can you. Good luck!! :paw:

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2008

The only C i ever got in nursing school was in Chem--and I think that was a sympathy C because I showed up every class and sat in front and asked questions--at the end of the semester he gave out some extra credit.

I tried my best to get an A in Micro but the best I could do was a B. The critical thinking will come with time.

tamsonfirst · Jun 5, 2008

I got B's in Micro, A & P, and a B+ in Developmental Psych for pre-req's. For my core classes, I did horrible at Med-Surg and it almost got me kicked out of the program. The summer between my junior and senior years I did a lot of studying and also got a job as a nurse tech. I did so much better this last year, as a result.

I heard a quote from a prof once that went something like this, "Passion without competence is meaningless."

A passion for nursing is something a person either has or doesn't. There are plenty of people in this world that were never called to be nurses; however, competence can be acquired and developed overtime.

There are alot of "Nursing for Dummies" books out there that cater to helping people understand certain areas that may be harder to grasp. Find some that focus on the areas you have identified as weaknesses and see how it goes.

I take my boards in 2 weeks and I am feeling relatively confident that I understand all the key concepts. Also, I have a job lined up for July. If can do it, you can too.

Don't give up!

Tam

Tait, MSN, RN · Jun 5, 2008

I feel a strength and interest in science makes nursing more fun, at least for me. However if you put your mind to it, learn the basics and then learn the connections it all works out in the end. :)

Best of luck!!

Tait

QuadraticQuahog · Jun 5, 2008

Science has never been my strong point, but I am managing nonetheless. I just want to know that it is possible for me to be an RN if I am not great in science. I think I am also weak in my critical thinking. Are there any tools I can use or books that may help me improve on this? I am not in school yet. I have applied for the fall and will know within a week or 2 if I got in, but I would like to get a jumpstart on my weakenesses.
Thanks!

There are numerous classes you can take for critical thinking that are great at expounding on whatever skills you currently have. If you have good reading skills you can master science. Take any number of algebra courses that will help you in chemestry and you can master that as well. So much depends on your dedication and the degree of determination you have in becoming a nurse.

FutureNrsJaren · Jun 5, 2008

I take my boards in 2 weeks and I am feeling relatively confident that I understand all the key concepts. Also, I have a job lined up for July. If can do it, you can too.
Don't give up!
Tam

Good Luck!

rnmomtobe2010 · Jun 5, 2008

I am terrified of Anatomy. LPN classes start in August and that is the starter class that I am soooo worried about. I did buy this Human Body book which I have been graciously studying since yesterday. I have the index cards taking notes and things of that sort. Good luck to you and your sciences.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jun 5, 2008

Anatomy was a horror to me, but I got by with a B. The circumstances were different, tough...this was an LPN program that required many of the same pre-requisites for the RN program, and we were the first class of LPNs to get accepted. I did have a 3.6 GPA, however, and not everyone was aware of the new program, so, it was a bit easier to get in. See if you can arrange for tutoring.

northwestwind · Jun 5, 2008

You'll get through the sciences if you study long and hard. You'll never use them again either, so just grin and bear it. Research science or best practice science/evidenced-based nursing care is another animal. I would encourage you to get involved in that very soon after you graduate, so that you stay up to date in giving the best care.

Critical thinking skills in healthcare tend to be different than in most industries, particularly around risk management. Like most of us without healthcare experience before RN school, you will arrive into nursing school without any experience, so don't be too hard on yourself....it takes years to develop good critical thinking skills!

Do an internet search on amazon or other booksellers and look up critical thinking skills for nurses. Many books are out there on this topic that use patient case studies. You will learn about typical patient scenarios that require the use of specific critical thinking skills to solve. The truth is, however, that the best form of critical thinking skill development is actually taking care of patients and learning what forms of critical thinking skill sets are appropriate to the diagnoses, and patient presentation, along with many other variables.

And one last thought - you are full of strengths, so concentrate on those!