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?

Specializes in Cardiac.
I am a pre nursing student. I graduated from Dental Hygiene school when I was 21 years old - back then my GPA was too embarrassing to mention - but not a 3 point anything - more like a 2 point whatever. Now I have a 4 point something after taking all my sciences a second time - 19 years later. I would say, or ask, if you are committed to Nursing ? I'm sure all the classes will be a challenge. If you really want Nursing - take the class again - talk to your instructor about tips to help you study - look into tutoring. For me I am older and I put the time in to study that I never did when I was younger. Plus, I try different strageties to study - I have a voice recorder I bought for 30 bucks and I record things and play them while I am eating or driving. I was terrified about learning the arteries and veins - overwhelming. But I broke each body area into smaller easier to tackle segments and used colored markers to draw the pathway of each vein and nerve. I am not smart with school but I can get an A or minimally a B if I push out all the stops. You can too - take the class again - it's a small hill to have to climb. Don't get too down on yourself.

Four point what? :D

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No matter what, if you get under a B you're still going to have to wait that year to reapply to the program. You are very close to a B, why not just stick it out and see where it goes? And if you don't get that B, well then you retake the class and I'm pretty sure the 2nd go around will get you that B or better. You obviously have a good knowledge base on A&P, you do have a 79.

You're GPA might go down slightly, but you have another year to "pad" up that GPA with other classes that you might have to take. Don't get too down on yourself.

I was in a similar situation. But I wasn't doing as well as you are. I was passing but I wasn't at that "needed" grade to use the class for the program. I figured if I withdrew from the class, I'd have to retake it. Then again, if I stayed in and gave it my best shot and still didn't get the needed grade I'd still have to retake it. I already have a W on my transcript from years ago, I really didn't want another W on there.

Long story short, I stuck it out, I didn't get the needed grade, my GPA dropped a bit. However, I trudged on, took more needed classes, my GPA is back up to very close to where it was. And next term I'll be retaking the class. I'm no worse for the wear. I gave it my best shot, it didn't pan out HOWEVER, I know the next time I take it, I have a great knowledge base and I'll be able to increase my test scores :)

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I really think you're overreacting, a 79 is fine, your GPA is fine, and you will get in. Just because you have a GPA extremely slightly below average does not mean you won't get in. If you freak out and want to withdraw from every class where you're not getting an "A", you will never finish the program.

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Specializes in LPN.

Personally, I would try to stick it out. I am only on my pre-requisite's, but I currently am a Medical Transcriptionist, so I am very familiar with A&P. My suggestion would be to find out if your school offers a free tutor, which, I believe, most schools do. That might be a good idea at your case, since you are so close! Rethink your decision for a while before dropping out - you don't want to end up with regrets later. When you finish, I am sure you are going to look back and be happy you went through with it. Just keep on studying and studying, as for that tutor, it will really help ya out, and they are free! I just might do the same :) Hope I helped.

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I asked the head of the nursing dept at my school why they chose to base admissions on a lottery system. She said, "A 4.0 in your pre-reqs does not mean you will be a good nurse. Also, some people have families, jobs, and lives and it might be impossible for them to get a 4.0."

Dont beat yourself up too much. Im sure it will all work out in the end. : )

This is off topic but I've always wondered this myself. The response you were given does NOT help me understand. So people may have jobs, families, whatever and not have the ability to pass once accepted to nursing school (or to pass the NCLEX). So people who will do WHATEVER it takes in spite of having lives to get a great gpa (and may make an equally great nurse) sit on waiting lists. This logic would make sense if the licensing of nurses was done by a practical exam ( hands on) but it is an academic exam so why is it illogical to base entry into nursing school on academic factors?

Now I get there are problems with basing acceptance on gpa alone too (too many 4.0 applicants). I believe this is why so many programs use entrance exams.

Sorry to go off on a tangent.

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This is off topic but I've always wondered this myself. The response you were given does NOT help me understand. So people may have jobs, families, whatever and not have the ability to pass once accepted to nursing school (or to pass the NCLEX). So people who will do WHATEVER it takes in spite of having lives to get a great gpa (and may make an equally great nurse) sit on waiting lists. This logic would make sense if the licensing of nurses was done by a practical exam ( hands on) but it is an academic exam so why is it illogical to base entry into nursing school on academic factors?

Now I get there are problems with basing acceptance on gpa alone too (too many 4.0 applicants). I believe this is why so many programs use entrance exams.

Sorry to go off on a tangent.

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.

I don't think it's illogical to base entry on academic factors, I think nursing school admittance should be based on academic factors...to a point. The problem you run into (like you said ) is when you have multiple 4.0 applicants. I have seen people turned away with 3.8 GPA's and told by their advisers they aren't good enough to be a nurse. I think this is just plain silly. While you should have a good GPA, to say you aren't good enough to be a nurse with a 3.8 GPA is ridiculous.

I think lottery system schools serve a good purpose for those who may have a 3.4 or 3.5 GPA (which around here won't get you into the state university programs) and don't have the money to shell out for a private program which are usually less competitive.

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"""I think this is just plain silly."""".......thats puting it WAY to nice!!.....can i hear bullSH*&:yeah::lol2:

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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.

I don't think there should be a practical exam. What would there be a practical exam for? The basic skills that you learn in most nursing programs? Honestly they are not that difficult to learn and most people would be able to pass. The hard part about being a nurse IMO is being able to criticially think and have good judgment so you are a safe and competent nurse.

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I agree that those are the hardest parts of being a nurse and I think a practical exam wouldn't be practical in most cases..My point was more that a 4.0 GPA doesn't necessarily mean you are going to be a great nurse...I said I think MAYBE there should be a practical exam. You made some very good points however why there shouldnt be...That wasn't the main point of my post though.

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I would not withdraw at this point, but I would do some serious soul searching to determine why you are failing A&P. This is the baseline from which everything else will build so its extremely important to understand it... and not just for the grade in the current course but for your future success. Maybe you simply need to spend more time studying A&P. Good luck!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.
I really think you're overreacting, a 79 is fine, your GPA is fine, and you will get in. Just because you have a GPA extremely slightly below average does not mean you won't get in. If you freak out and want to withdraw from every class where you're not getting an "A", you will never finish the program.

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.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.
"""I think this is just plain silly."""".......thats puting it WAY to nice!!.....can i hear bullSH*&:yeah::lol2:

Uh, no. It isn't. If you don't have anything to contribute to the thread besides insults, please do us a favor and leave.

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