Any current nurses who were not strong in science?

Published

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!

I've been doing really well in my prerequisites even though I really struggled with my first degree. Going to each and every single class has made a huge difference for me, AND I always ask questions when something is confusing to me. Most schools have tutoring/study group options available, and my biology department has an open lab time to be able to look at slides (and play with your dissecting stuff) outside of your regular lab.

One other thing that has really helped me is not biting off more than I can chew. I can focus intensely on a couple of things, but it's harder for me to spread that out over many classes. So far I've only taken 2 classes at a time- 2 in the spring semester, and 2 in each of my school summer sessions. I'm scheduled for 4 in the fall and am a bit nervous but I'm so close to being done so I want to push.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.

I was an English lover in highschool, and was miserable in the sciences. Getting into college, I knew that I wanted to be an RN so I basically sucked it up and worked my behind off in all of my science classes. My lowest grade was a B- .....in Micro.....which was ridiculously difficult IMHO. I made A's and B's in all the rest...Anatomy, Phys, Chem, etc etc...

It really comes down to whether you can put other things aside and dedicate yourself to the courses. As I said, I have never been a science person but I completely focused my energies on this stuff because I knew the payoff would be so great. And...now I am starting the clinical portion of my BSN in Sept.....yay!

GOOD LUCK. You can do it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I always hated science and math and then I decided to become a nurse and had to take a billion math and science classes just to get into the program!! I did well in all my science classes, physiology was the hardest because you really have to understand the material. I like it much more now, especially when it's practical. You'll learn to love it, at least a little.

Nursing school will teach you how to critical think and think like a nurse. I never understood why they did certain things in my program, but I can look back and see that it helped developed the way I think as a nurse. And, of course, more advanced critical thinking skills will come with time and experience as an actual nurse.

Keep pressing- it's worth it!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in None.

I have to agree with everyone else. The science classes are a double-edged sword. Before you start actual nursing classes, all the materials in science classes seem like a waste. But as you delve deeper into a nursing program, you then begin to see how the sciences apply to the nursing coursework material. So I say jus tbe encouraged, ask questions, keep your focus and remember we are not the first nor the last to take this journey!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I barely passes physiology and micro - although I love science! I think it is just a lot of info and I could not put it all together! So how could I understand it! Things that helped me were to go to the bookstores and find high school/kids books on the subject. That would make it so much easier to learn the basics and then move on. I also bought alot of nclex books during my prerequisite days. So, when I was learning a topic in class I would go back to those books as well and learn info, as well as how to creatively think, and how to take the nclex. It took me along time to get some concepts, and to this day when I reread something in a book, the light finally goes on and I finally get it! (I graduated May 24, 2008 with my BSN). If you want something bad enough you will find a way to make it happen, think positively too.

take care

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I barely passes physiology and micro - although I love science! I think it is just a lot of info and I could not put it all together! So how could I understand it! Things that helped me were to go to the bookstores and find high school/kids books on the subject. That would make it so much easier to learn the basics and then move on. I also bought alot of nclex books during my prerequisite days. So, when I was learning a topic in class I would go back to those books as well and learn info, as well as how to creatively think, and how to take the nclex. It took me along time to get some concepts, and to this day when I reread something in a book, the light finally goes on and I finally get it! (I graduated May 24, 2008 with my BSN). If you want something bad enough you will find a way to make it happen, think positively too.

take care

:up:So true. I used to order books like Anatomy and Physiology for Dummies, and the Anatomy and Physiology Coloring books. Reading it in a more simplistic form helped me a great deal. Now, I don't refer to my textbooks, but to the easier 'for dummies' books if I have to brush up on something. It is interesting how comprehension comes better with life experiences.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm generally better at English classes, but I hate them. I love science, but I'm not the best at them. I had to really work my hiney off during my prereqs and in nursing school to do well in the sciences.

It is entirely possible to be a nurse if you're not good at science, you just have to be willing to put forth the time and the effort to succeed. You'll feel like you're working 10 times harder than people who are science minded, but it's worth it in the end!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion