Failed anatomy...are there other options

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hey everyone I am from Los Angeles and attending lacc. So I just got my grades back I didn't do so well in anatomy I got an D. I am feeling so discouraged now because if I can't pass anatomy what makes me think I can become an Rn some day. My question is could I bridge over LVN to RN ...could I still make it as a nurse if I go down that route or just take anatomy over but that D will still be on my transcript. I just need some words of encouragement or something positive because I just feel like quitting all together.

Specializes in Critical care, Trauma.

Nothing makes for better study habits than spending a couple years working entry-level jobs you hate. It definitely worked for me. After completely screwing up my GPA the first time I was in school, I left and it was 4-5 years before I went back to start working on nursing pre-reqs. At that point I actually had a real direction and drive, not just an "it'd be cool to do ____" idea with no actual motivation or follow-through.

I know California can be very competitive, but that is not the case everywhere. Midwestern and rural areas are much more forgiving. And some schools, if you have time taken off in between, do not consider your "old" GPA and/or only look at the GPA from your pre-reqs. Each school would need to be investigated separately.

Good luck with your decision.

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I'll be totally honest with you I have poor study habits. Since the class was on Fridays only that's the only time I opened my notebook. I admit I was a horrible studier.

My teach was awesome she provided her own fill in lecture notes and lab notebook. She only has two test and two practicums. Her class was so easy...but I didn't take the time to really read the material I feel like such a jackass.

I'm just worried if I take this class again with proper study habits and hopefully get a better grade that D I received will still tank my chances of getting into a nursing program because it will still be on my goal and transcripts.

I have reached out to my advisor in early May and told her that I have a huge chance of failing this class. She told me that if I don't pass I can't get into a program even if I retake it.

Then honestly what's your point in posting? You know you screwed up, and you know its your fault.

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Well because duhh you guys are more experienced some of you are nurses and probably have been down this route before. I made this post to see if there was any hope left for me. I wanted advice and I got it. So thank you . I also asked this because I didn't know LVN to RN bridge would be almost the same process as doing prereqs. Its never a bad idea to get educated right.

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Consult with your school. The grade will be replaced with the new grade. However, it will remain on transcripts, but not counted towards GPA.

edit: I think you will be okay - depending on the school - if you receive a A grade the next time around.

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the thing about sciences is you need to learn how to study for them and have time management. Getting a D doesn't mean that you can't learn it just means that you didn't study efficiently. for example don't try to read all the chapters if they give you a study guide or power points, study the info the teacher gives you. Print it out before hand and read it before the lecture that way you will be familiar with it. then when you get to lecture that day highlight was the teacher says is important because that will be on the exam. Also record the lecture and listen to it in the car and when you go to bed like a record. Do this with all of your lectures. Go into the book when there is something that you can't grasp to get a better understanding of. Also use youtube videos they also help. I was able to escape A&P 1 and 2 with an A doing these techniques. Also don't try to take a lot of classes with theses courses because you can sat your self up for failure with these important classes. also if you work then all of your free time will go to studying if you take the class serious. good luck. Also these are the same study tools that i use in my nursing program. so you will be ready when u get into nursing also with these steps.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.
Hey everyone I am from Los Angeles and attending lacc. So I just got my grades back I didn't do so well in anatomy I got an D. I am feeling so discouraged now because if I can't pass anatomy what makes me think I can become an Rn some day. My question is could I bridge over LVN to RN ...could I still make it as a nurse if I go down that route or just take anatomy over but that D will still be on my transcript. I just need some words of encouragement or something positive because I just feel like quitting all together.

I thought anatomy was tough too. I took it as a L.P.N. and as a R.N.

You need to understand it though to do your job well and to educate your patients.

Perhaps if you are able to study it online in addition to what you've already done, you could strengthen your knowledge. You didn't fail. Try to remember that while you are still gaining knowledge.

Are you able to identify what the hardest part of it was for you? If you can, then you can ask your instructor for some good study strategies to tackle it. For me, it was remembering what things were called.

You can do this. You just need to set aside some time to tackle it head on.

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Specializes in Neuro.

As others have said, dust yourself off, retake it, study your behind off, get a good grade, bring that GPA back up. Where there is a will, there is a way.

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I failed Anatomy I the first time (I was going through a rough time in my personal life). I took it again the next semester and passed it and I also took Anatomy 2 at the same time which was strangely helpful. My college offered "grade deletions" so my gpa would be replaced. The college of nursing still looks at classes you fail even with a grade deletion though. I still highly recommend retaking it. Truly, I think how you do in Labs is a better predictor of your nursing ability rather than anatomy itself. Most of it you will forget by time you get into the program anyways.

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Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.
I know that schools are very competitive and I'm worried about getting rejected with my gpa especially with that D on my transcript.
That's a legitimate concern... and not everyone who wants to become a nurse is able to.

That said, I'm a huge believer in perseverance and tenacity.

You need to figure out what will make you a competitive candidate beyond your grades... becoming bilingual, for example... getting healthcare experience as a CNA, ED tech, or EMS crew (EMT then medic)... meaningful volunteer work... getting published...

And... becoming a much better student.

I don't know what to do ?
Figure out why you bombed the class, retake it, and kill it... and deliberate over what I said in my prior paragraph.
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Retake it! if you want to be an RN you will fall down and then you will get up. I failed chemistry my first go round and I have an F on my transcripts from it.

I retook it in person (initially was online in an 8 week format) and got a B. Some things you almost need to take it to be exposed to it and then take it again

to do well. I am now in an 8 week i person anatomy and physiology class and studying like crazy. I have a B. Don't let having to retake one class deter you, it

really does happen sometimes. I've never failed a single college course out of 30 classes, and then a big huge F in Chemistry because I bombed the final.

Believe me I cried, I second guessed my decision to go to nursing school, I felt stupid, overwhelmed, exhausted, and this was because I did apply myself and I did study relentlessly. I almost threw my hands up but then I didn't, I decided to retake it and keep moving forward. There is no rush. I got a B the second time and actually grew to enjoy chemistry!

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just retake it. This time try to get an A, since its your second time taking it. Study day and night, and weekends. I did poorly on my first exam because I had poor study habits, but still ended up with an A, even with a full time job. You can do it! Human anatomy is a hard course, but it is a prerequisite for a reason. It is a foundation course for nursing school. Stop worrying about how competitive it is, just take the course again. My prof told us that even if one school doesn't accept you, eventually another would. Just do better next time. Good luck!

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Well everyone I have been doing alot of thinking. I'm still on the fence about retaking it or just simply let go of the RN program idea for right now(someone said to come back when I'm more older and mature about school) and just become an LVN to work and also get the experience. When I feel ready, just bridge on over. By then my daughter will be in school and I won't have a distraction as much. Thank you guys!

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