Failed anatomy and low GPA

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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.

Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.

Also agree with useless pre req advisors, mine has given me a million wrong answers, I directly email the nursing department now

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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.

At this point in the semester, I'm considering to change my major from undeclared to Psychology and aim for an ABSN program. You mentioned that it would be extremely difficult - may I ask how?

It is true, I do need better ways to study. In the beginning of the semester, I tried tutoring and it was helpful for me, but as midterms came in I could not find the extra time to go.

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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.

Thank you so much - I have always felt alone and frustrated about not being as "smart" as my friends. I wish I could have just transferred to a community college when my grades started drooping, it's too late now because I'm afraid I hit the 60 credit mark. You've given me wonderful insight on how to view college and nursing, thank you.

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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.

Thank you, so so much for your encouraging words. I've been in a slump all day and I just told my mom I can't apply for nursing school just yet again. I was thinking of majoring in Psychology or something in LAS and then apply for an ABSN program. I am planning on retaking Anatomy 1 next fall so I can fix my GPA. I am determined to finish, it's just taking me a little longer than others.

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I know community college has been presented as an option a few times already on this thread, but I thought it was worth mentioning the possibility of declaring transient status as opposed to transferring? I'm from Florida and I'm not sure how it works other places, but I was able to take several community college courses as a transient student. It's basically like being a guest at the other institution and then the credit gets automatically transferred back to your home university at the end of the semester. Luckily, I tend to breeze through any sciences courses (half the reason I chose nursing), but all the other gen ed subjects I've struggled in, so I can still relate on many levels. If I were you (assuming taking transient classes isn't an option), I would give it one last try with a lighter course load. 5 classes is a lot. Maybe take A&P I again next semester along with some easy GPA boosters, then just A&P II with development over summer, and then prepare your behind off for the TEAS while you finish anything else up. If your heart is really set on nursing, don't get discouraged. What is one more year in the scope of things, when nursing is going be your career for the rest of your life? Wishing you the best of luck, no matter what you decide!

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So let me just say, KEEP YOUR HEAD UP YOU CAN DO IT! I took A&P I three times before I passed it. Made a F the first time a D the second and a B the third. I truly had to learn how to study for it because before I took any science courses at my school all of my other pre-reqs were easy and majority of them(even my math courses) I really did not need to study for. To pass A&P I realized I had to find a new way to study I made notecards(millions and I still have them today) and I read that book as if it was my bible. In a way I felt glad I took it so many times because it will truly help you once you take A&P II, Micro, Chemistry and I am sure it will be lots of help now that I am starting nursing in the spring. Also see if your school offers tutoring or if you can find a local tutor for a low price because going to the library for tutoring helped me a lot with topics I truly did not understand also look for online websites. Getbodysmart.com helped me the most especially on the muscles exam, and once you take A&P II it will help you with cardiovascular. Also don't be discouraged about reapplying to the nursing program I have been there and done that too. If you are planning on retaking this course next semester go ahead and start re-reading the material and preparing now. Some people can get things by reading them once but I know I am the type of person that may have to read things 2-5 times to make it stick. Also As far as the GPA goes I have been there too it took me forever to get a 3.0 my suggestion is go back an retake any course you may have had a C average in that you know you could of made a better grade in so that way if you do end up making a C in A&P you can still keep a high GPA without it dropping you too low. Oh and one more thing that helped me is the analogy book I found on amazon. I bought the coloring book my teacher suggested from our book store but I really did not like it because I would have to spend hours coloring too many details. The A&P analogy book I found was the Visual analogy guide to human anatomy and physiology by Paul Krieger. It helped out lots because I am a musical person and can remember songs on the radio within a day and this book had all types of analogies and riddles to help you remember key stuff for lecture and lab.

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Specializes in Cardicac Neuro Telemetry.

Maybe you have a learning disability. Have you ever been tested for one? If you get tested and you do in fact have one, you can request accommodation. You might also be able to understand your learning and studying styles better. Sit down with an advisor and go over your options. Transferring to a community college might be a good idea, too. It's cheaper than spending more money for university level classes and you can re-take some of your lower level classes to clean up your GPA.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Whatever you are doing isn't working. Evaluate your study methods and habits and ask yourself if you are really devoting enough time to your academic commitments. If your school has a tutoring lab, use it and go as often as you can. Watch Khan Academy videos for subjects you can't seem to grasp.

Lastly, don't compare yourself to your friends and classmates! That is a recipe for disaster. Focus on you.

Best of luck!

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My advice to you would be to consider other options have you ever thought about going to a two year college that has a ADN program and then transfer your classes back to the four year school and get your BSN. The classes are smaller and the A&P credit will be just as good as a four year school. It may be something to think about at the end you will still be a Registered Nurse :-). DON'T GIVE UP.....

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Try again. I am a slow learner too. I made a checklist that I go though for each chapter. The checklist goes over different ways to get info in, like : 1) read chapter, 2) watch YouTube lecture, 3) make flashcards... Also since you have already been exposed, it will be easier! If you want this you can do it!!

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