dropping human anatomy with a W

drd18, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2018

You already paid for it, any passing grade will work.
Let us know what your advisor says.

C is technically a passing grade, and I live in a very concentrated area for nursing students and people are constantly being turned away with B's in their sciences. So these days, any passing grade will not work. To the original poster, only you know how competitive your nursing program is. I was in the exact same predicament, 2nd bachelors student working full time trying to get pre-reqs for an ABSN. I think in your case it would absolutely be worth it to take the W, get a better handle on things, and then come back and take it again when ready.

Where I took my pre-reqs, you could not retake a course for a better grade unless you got below a C! So everyone would jump at the opportunity for a W if they knew they wouldn't get the grade they needed. And I have never heard any of my classmates saying a W negatively impacted them getting into a program. And if in the end, you get a C and want to retake it, many schools will not replace the grade but average it. This can be frustrating and leaving you with essentially the same grade as before!

Something else to consider is your desired programs application process. Are they on a point system? If so, a B wouldn't necessarily kill you if you could get extra points in other categories. If you are dealing with financial aid, make sure you look into your school's policy on paying for retakes. Typically only dropping a class affects your aid, but it's worth it to check and make sure a W won't as well. In summary, yes, if you know it is a good chance you will end with a C, I would without a doubt take the W while you still can. Be honest with yourself in terms of where you see your current grade heading. Hope this helps! :)

Applejack · Feb 21, 2018

I remember being in the same boat as you. Anatomy was the most difficult out of the sciences for me (I am currently in my last one, Micro) and after the second exam considered getting a W, because I was holding a C and would rather try again for higher than a C. I always did well in the lecture , but the cadaver labs were painful! It was just so hard. With that said, I kept at it and thankfully the last unit was easier (I didnt say easy, just the easiest lol) and he tacked on a little extra credit at the end for those who attended EVERY CLASS (which I did) and passed with a B! Our class started with almost 20, ended with 7 ,and 4 of us passed. (2B's and 2C's) JUST KEEP AT IT and try your best! You're gonna have to take it either way...either finish it now, or do it later..its going to be a difficult class either way. Since you're passing I would just keep at it. Thats my advice :)

Wannabenurseneko · Feb 21, 2018

Can you drop after seeing your grade? I'd wait and see how you did if possible...

I tried that but it didn't work for me , but my school is different .

Jeniele, ADN, RN · Feb 21, 2018

It all depends on the programs you are looking at applying to. You said you're not worried about the W, so does that mean those programs only take your highest score? All the programs around me (including the one I'm in now) use a point system and only allow for one re-retake and then the grades are averaged, with a W counting as an F (0.00). So you need to be sure what the criteria are for applications before you make that decision. You also say that it would require you to get a B on everything here on out to finish out this term. That's entirely doable. I know that not getting a 4.0 hurts, I was in the same boat; my second term of A&P was a 3.5. But in my scenario, taking a W would have given me a lower application score than the 3.5 did, and at 41 I didn't want to postpone my application another year.

Since you're concerned about postponing your pre-requisites further, it might be best to tough out this term and see what you get, especially since you've already paid for it. You can always give it another go next next year if you apply to nursing schools and don't get in this year, but you might get lucky in get in. Schools can give you average scores of students that get in but it really depends on what everyone you're applying with has that year. Some years are more competitive than others.

Additionally, it can be amazing what you can accomplish when you know the stakes are high. I had several classmates last term that had to get 89 or better (better than they had done all term) on the final to continue in the nursing program and a few were able make it and are doing much better this term.

Anatomy is a beast. I dreaded every second of it and everyone said that nursing school was much harder. I don't know how to explain it exactly, but the rote memorization of A&P killed me but nursing school has been more conceptual. In nursing school it's primarily the physiology that counts. We're expected to be familiar with the structures, and yes know where the tibia is; but so far in my musculoskeletal unit no one has given me a slide with a muscle on it and asked me for it's name, origin, insertion, and action. I am however expected to understand the bone remodeling process and the role of calcitonin and PTH.

Hope this helps you.

OllieRugby · Feb 21, 2018

First exam and practical are the EASIEST. You are going to need to double down on your studying. And you haven't even started Physiology yet. If you are good with Anatomy, Physiology will be a breeze as well. Get on quizlet and make yourself flash cards to study.

FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP · Feb 21, 2018

It is perfectly ok to have a couple of Ws on nursing prereqs. I had 2 and I got into Johns Hopkins.

Erickaah.c · Feb 25, 2018

I know at my school they don't accept any retakes on sciences. Therefore you have to pass your sciences and can not retake. Might want to check in with your school.

Workitinurfava, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2018

It depends on your stamina and life situation. I have seen people repeat classes and get the same grade, sometimes lower because they didn't change anything. Think it all through, press on and do better next time or completely start over with more energy for that A.

MiladyMalarkey, ASN, BSN · Mar 4, 2018

Schools may be different. However, in my early college years I had several "W's". None of them hurt me down the line, in fact it was almost as if they didn't even happen. That is my school however, each school can be different, talk to an adviser so you can verify if there are consequences to withdrawing at your institution or the one you are trying to get into. Nursing school is competitive to get into, and while I'd normally say a B is just fine, depending on the nursing school competitiveness in your area, taking the W and trying again for that A may be a better choice than getting a B or C which may put you out of the game. Again, talk to an adviser, preferably the nursing adviser, get their input before moving forward.

djh123 · Mar 5, 2018

I don't remember whether it was in A&P I or II, but I got a 60 on the muscles (practical) test and still got an A or a B in the semester (probably a B).

sunshineee · Jun 9, 2018

Hi,

Sorry for the late update! I ended up staying in the class even though I was super tired every single day (due to working full time). I did bad on the first practical (I got a 67) but ended up getting in the high 90s in all my other exams. The muscle part of the course was my favorite and I did the best in that unit. My final grade was an A (92%).

I believe I freaked out because there was so much that we needed to learn and study. Our prof didn't really give us any direction on what we should study so I just ended up studying everything.

After going through this class, I realized how much I had to study and stay focused. I literally studied every day, including weekends. Quizlet did help a lot but I also got flashcards from amazon.

I am taking Physiology next semester. I know that's a hard one, but I think I am prepared.

thanks everyone for your feedback!