Failed anatomy and low GPA

Published

So it's my third year at a university as an undeclared major (with pre-nursing set as my educational goal) and I got a D in anatomy. My GPA is currently a 2.52. It seems that no matter how hard I try, I can never be as smart as my classmates/my friends who have already gotten accepted in. I can't find it in my heart to tell my mom that I can't apply for nursing school AGAIN and that I'd have to stay another year - making it 4 years as an undergrad and accomplishing nothing. I feel like I've hit rock bottom and that I've run out of options.. I don't know what to do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care Transport, Cardiac ICU, Rapid.

What seems to be your difficulties with these courses? Have you taken all your pre-reqs? Have you retaken any classes? OP I had 2.6 my freshman year but upgraded it to a 3.8 a year a later and did make it into nursing school so a swift turn around is always possible for any student

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Are you taking too many courses at once?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I still have lifespan development and anatomy 2 left. I guess time management is my biggest issue - I tend to learn at a slower rate than others and I spend a little more time trying to understand a subject. I'm scared I can't turn anything around because I can't stay at my university as undeclared for another year + nursing applications are closing..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Are you taking too many courses at once?

I usually juggle around 4 classes, but this semester I had 5.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care Transport, Cardiac ICU, Rapid.
I still have lifespan development and anatomy 2 left. I guess time management is my biggest issue - I tend to learn at a slower rate than others and I spend a little more time trying to understand a subject. I'm scared I can't turn anything around because I can't stay at my university as undeclared for another year + nursing applications are closing..

You might want to try and retake the pre-reqs at a community college level, you may potentially do better then. Sure leaving your beloved university is tough but you won't regret it when you're actualy in a nursing program. How are your study habits? Have you tried anything new?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

What about going for an LPN program?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

There are some practical matters to consider here. The more semesters/credit hours a student has, the more difficult it is to significantly move the GPA. Sit down with your academic advisor and figure out how far you can move it. Be realistic in your assessment of how good your grades will be.

Ask your advisor to find out about the nursing admissions for you. Even if your university practices grade replacement, will the nursing selection committee consider that you had to take certain pre-reqs twice.

Be ready to make some hard decisions. An LPN or a community college program have been mentioned, and they are good options, but what about finishing another degree? It may not be high enough for nursing admission, but 2.52 is a healthy GPA. You're not in danger of getting kicked out of school. If you want to be a nurse because you want to help people, there are lots of careers that would allow you to do that. Don't think of it as giving up the dream. Dreams can take crazy, circuitous routes to their conclusions. You're just on one of those other paths.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

OP, your problem is your overall GPA. Not to mention a D is not passing so I'm not sure how you can get into A&P II when you have essentially failed I. A&P are your foundation classes. You need a solid understanding of how the body works. How much time are you putting into studying? Have you gotten a tutor? If it takes you longer to grasp the subject, you need to spend more time studying.

Getting into nursing school is competitive. You need to have excellent grades. You need to bring that GPA above a 3.0 at the very least but know most applicants are much higher. Are you close to graduating with any major? Like a liberal arts degree?

Sit down with you advisor and see what can be done at this point. See what you can retake and what you need to do here. I wouldn't be surprised if they told you to switch majors which may be something you need to do and then later on when you can get your studying and grades under control apply for an ABSN program. Those are extremely difficult also but that's nursing. You need to find a better way to study.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi Op I'm an undergraduate pre-nursing major as well and I completely understand what you are going through. But you have done so much work thus far so don't give up if this is something you are passionate about.

My twin is in the same program as me and has a 4.0 whereas i have a 2.8. It is discouraging when you feel like you cannot succeed but I think you should keep in mind that these college years are a very short period of time versus the lifetime of happiness you'll enjoy as a nurse. You need to find ways to study that work for you. I will be finishing anatomy I with a C+ so I plan on retaking over the summer because although it is frustrating I know I need an A and if you think about it as a future nurse you want to be proficient in anatomy GPA aside.

I found for me taking less classes and transferring to a community college has really been beneficial because I have more flexibility with a lower tuition.

You have not failed at accomplishing your dreams because you can fix this. Retake any classes under a C+ and study hard for those TEAS

I find it helpful to not only read the texts but to also talk about it with peers and do any practics questions in the book becasue its actually much faster than just taking notes. Also watch videos and tutorials on youtube about the subject matter it is so helpful if you're a visual learner or struggle to read. I highly recommend Crash course on youtube.

Sorry this is a long response its just I feel what you are going through and know you can do it if you make a positive mind about finishing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It used to frustrate me or I'd feel bad about myself a little knowing that some of my classmates literally did not put the study time in but pulled the same grade as me (usually an A). They'd be out with their BF's or friends or say something like "I just studied the night before" a midterm or final, and ace it. Whereas I had put in hours every week from the start of the semester into studying and learning. Like I said it USED to make me feel like I wasn't as smart, but then a teacher told me that I'm the one who committed what I learned to long term memory, while those classmates who crammed won't.

My points are

1. Please try not to compare yourself to how anyone else studies or feel bad if they seem to grasp it sooner because they really may not be grasping it beyond a quiz or exam.

2. You might need even more hours of study time than you think. I needed about 5 hours per week for science classes. *I mean 5 hours from day 1 of the semester not before a test.

I second all the people who suggest you speak to your adviser. Remember you want to make sure your impression is good also remember that your adviser may not know everything. My first one didn't and told me I wasn't accepted into nursing because they were looking for someone else. That wasn't true though, I just had needed a pre-req before I could enter. So besides your adviser, contact other officials..even the nursing school secretary! You might get lucky with a nice person who can offer some solid advice...but of course reality is that you need to pass A&P and the other sciences and the better your grade, the better your chance. Going to LPN school then bridging to RN or BSN really isn't bad at all but you DO need to learn how to efficiently study before you embark on that path because it's going to include A&P with nursing at once in about a year for LPN.

Also wanted to add..schools like to see you find ways to improve. They want to know, if you failed, what you'll do next time to ensure you don't fail. You'd want to tell the nursing department how you'll use the student resource centers, peer tutoring, have a study schedule you stick to, meet with your professors, etc. Take a serious look at this website Study Skills | Howtostudy.org - When you hit the books - and they hit back.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.
It used to frustrate me or I'd feel bad about myself a little knowing that some of my classmates literally did not put the study time in but pulled the same grade as me (usually an A). They'd be out with their BF's or friends or say something like "I just studied the night before" a midterm or final, and ace it. Whereas I had put in hours every week from the start of the semester into studying and learning. Like I said it USED to make me feel like I wasn't as smart, but then a teacher told me that I'm the one who committed what I learned to long term memory, while those classmates who crammed won't.

My points are

1. Please try not to compare yourself to how anyone else studies or feel bad if they seem to grasp it sooner because they really may not be grasping it beyond a quiz or exam.

2. You might need even more hours of study time than you think. I needed about 5 hours per week for science classes. *I mean 5 hours from day 1 of the semester not before a test.

I second all the people who suggest you speak to your adviser. Remember you want to make sure your impression is good also remember that your adviser may not know everything. My first one didn't and told me I wasn't accepted into nursing because they were looking for someone else. That wasn't true though, I just had needed a pre-req before I could enter. So besides your adviser, contact other officials..even the nursing school secretary! You might get lucky with a nice person who can offer some solid advice...but of course reality is that you need to pass A&P and the other sciences and the better your grade, the better your chance. Going to LPN school then bridging to RN or BSN really isn't bad at all but you DO need to learn how to efficiently study before you embark on that path because it's going to include A&P with nursing at once in about a year for LPN.

Also wanted to add..schools like to see you find ways to improve. They want to know, if you failed, what you'll do next time to ensure you don't fail. You'd want to tell the nursing department how you'll use the student resource centers, peer tutoring, have a study schedule you stick to, meet with your professors, etc. Take a serious look at this website Study Skills | Howtostudy.org - When you hit the books - and they hit back.

This was great advice. I graduated high school with a 2.6. Now hold a 4.0 in my bridge program. Did I gain IQ points? No, I finally accepted to ace classes I had to put the time in, more than other students might have to. I have to be able to explain it in my own terms to do well so I have to know the info in and out. I just finished A&P 2 with an A-, I put at least 10 hours in a week (20 on exam weeks) to do well in lectures. Thankfully, the anatomy part does come easily to me so I do not have to put a lot of time in to get an A. The physiology is what I spend 90% of time on. I'm always going to be someone who has to study every day when it comes to some subjects. Now that I know this I just prioritize my

Schedule to make room for daily review.

You gotta find your study sweet spot and if your a visual/written/whatever learner. Then you gotta commit to putting the time in, however much that is, to make it work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion