Failed anatomy and physiology course...questioning my choices

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I'm currently a sophomore and I failed my human anatomy and physiology I course.

I ALWAYS have good study habits--I study every day and spend all my free time in the school library. I don't make time to hang out with friends or go to parties.

But this semester, I've been so occupied with my worrying of college majors and my future. I thought I wanted to be a nurse (my parents suggested it to me because of its good job prospects) and I really believed I could succeed and become a nurse since I was so confident that my academic ethics and study habits would help me achieve my goal. I knew that since I was sure of my goal to become a nurse, I would give it my all and WORK HARD to get it.

But when I saw how competitive nursing is and how there were so many other students who seemed so much brighter than me, I began to wonder whether I can really achieve this. I gradually lost my self esteem and ambition. Instead of using my time to study for anatomy, I would spend all my time researching other possible majors for me to go into and other careers. In the end, it cost me my grade.

So now I failed anatomy and physiology and feel like I've hit rock bottom. I'm sure I can't get into any nursing school now. I know I took this upon myself. :(

The only grades I didn't do as horrible in is Essentials of Organic Chem, which I got a B in...and PSYCH 101 and Human Development, both of which I got an A in.

JUST A LITTLE RANT THERE heh... If anyone has some advice for me, I would greatly appreciate it. Should I consider other majors and just drop prenursing? Thanks.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Don't give up! Learn from your failure and move on. Does your school have a retake and replace policy? You could retake the class and essentially your failing grade would be erased.

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dsh0012 said:

So now I failed anatomy and physiology and feel like I've hit rock bottom. I'm sure I can't get into any nursing school now. I know I took this upon myself. :(

The only grades I didn't do as horrible in is Essentials of Organic Chem, which I got a B in...and PSYCH 101 and Human Development, both of which I got an A in.

JUST A LITTLE RANT THERE heh... If anyone has some advice for me, I would greatly appreciate it. Should I consider other majors and just drop prenursing? Thanks.

Whether you should consider another major besides nursing is strictly your choice, no one else can make that decision for you. Nursing school is nothing like pre-reqs though, pre-reqs are a walk in the park compared to the trials of nursing school classes and clinicals. So it's something you should consider, whether you want to be a nurse or not, before diving too deep into it. Just make sure the decision you make is for you, and not your parents or anyone else.

Nursing school is competitive, there's no doubt about that. The students aren't "smarter" than anyone else, they have just put in the work, dedication and effort needed in pre-nursing to gain a spot in the program.

As far as failing A&P goes, it's not the end of the world. I'm sure your school allows at least one repeat, so repeat the class and this time put in the effort and work needed to pass the class with a great grade. To succeed, you must do what it takes, and that includes giving it 100% of dedication and effort, and exploring and utilizing any and all resources available.

Good luck in your decision.

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Pep talk time! I want to touch on 2 things in this post for you. Both the A&P fail and the undecided major thing.

My parents wanted me to be a lawyer. I don't want to be a lawyer, and while the job prospects are good in my area, I know being a lawyer wouldn't make me happy. So while parents suggest things sometimes because of a 'good job prospect' if your hearts not in it, your mind won't be either.

It seems like you identified that you failed because you were busy worrying about other majors. I've done this in the past, this semester I got a B instead of straight A's because every time I went to that class I worried about next semester. Best advice I can give you, don't live in the future, live in the now. Panicking and thinking about all the different majors you could take won't help you in any major if you fail a class.

If you still want it, you can definitely get into nursing school. You just have to retake the class. I truly thing if you passed organic chem you can pass A&P. However, don't go into nursing half heartedly or comparing yourself to other people. You're not other people and other people have a different story that you, a different educational background. Do YOUR best, chase YOUR dream.

I can't answer your question for you, if you should switch majors. You will succeed in the major your happy in. You'll do great in what moves you and what you love, not what anyone says you should do. I'd do a little self questioning over the break and ask what you want? If it's a paycheck, nursing may not be for you. If it's to change peoples lives and advocate for whats in the best interest of your patient, then I'd just retake A&P and buck up little camper!

Good luck in whatever decision you make

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Specializes in LTC.

Okay here's something I hate to say: I am becoming a nurse because I've had nurses who got into it because of "good employment prospects" not because they wanted to help people or make a difference. As someone who has dealt with health professionals for most of my life (I am a Type 1 diabetic) I have gone as far as requesting a different nurse so I didn't have to deal with these types of nurses. Trust me I can smell the nurse who got into it for the money/job security coming a mile away. :) they are generally mean, short tempered, abrasive, and unwilling to listen to a patient. If you don't want to be a nurse please don't be one. I'm not going to give you a pep talk unless this is your dream. I'm not going to try to talk you into your parents dream. FOLLOW YOUR DREAM!

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Alisonisayoshi said:
Okay here's something I hate to say: I am becoming a nurse because I've had nurses who got into it because of "good employment prospects" not because they wanted to help people or make a difference. As someone who has dealt with health professionals for most of my life (I am a Type 1 diabetic) I have gone as far as requesting a different nurse so I didn't have to deal with these types of nurses. Trust me I can smell the nurse who got into it for the money/job security coming a mile away. ? they are generally mean, short tempered, abrasive, and unwilling to listen to a patient. If you don't want to be a nurse please don't be one. I'm not going to give you a pep talk unless this is your dream. I'm not going to try to talk you into your parents dream. FOLLOW YOUR DREAM!

^ I totally agree! You can definitely tell the difference between a nurse who is truly passionate to be a nurse, and one who is simply in it as a job and nothing else.

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Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.

It sounds like you are in some way influenced by your parents' suggestion otherwise you wouldn't be spending all that time looking at other majors. That is ok and you should be researching for a career that you like. There are other majors where you can find a stable job. More importantly, if you major in something you like a lot, you tend to be better at it which ultimately leads to more success.

If you do decide on nursing, just retake the class. It's really not a big deal and don't compare yourself with others. We should want to do well for ourselves not to outshine others.

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You can't live your life by what your parents want. I tried that many times and it caused set backs for me. Do nursing because your heart is in it. Also, failing a pre req does not make you a failure. Just pick yourself up and try again if this is what you want.

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It doesn't sound like you want to be a nurse. If you don't want to be a nurse, why do it? If you do want to do it, then do it. Map a course and follow it to a T.

I'd say still repeat the class no matter the choice for your major because one nasty grade can bring down the entire GPA.

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Hum, you sound overwhelmed and confused, which is so common when torned between majors... Yes, it's common the way that you feel and looking around a classroom of very focused students can question your smartness! What you are looking at is students chasing that carrot at the end of the stick... I say this as a "positive" and looking from the outside it can be overwhelming and nerve wacking. It is a different learning enviornment indeed... Very driven to succeed, because you have too! I have sat in your seat many times, and the next time around (If you decide) you will not have the time to think other wise... The most focused students tend to be the retakers and will ace the course next time! This is what an instructor that had once told me... Some students don't get it the first time around and then it clicks! Most "F" grades can be repeated at least once in the sciences and I have heard up to two in some colleges. If you decide to retake this class, do it because you want to become a nurse someday. Everyone, has their season! Don't be too hard on yourself and stay away from the "dream-stealers!" Blessings to you! :cat:

PS: I knew a teacher that was once a nurse and today is a nurse again after 18 years... Most of us, have more than one dream in our hearts... Just try to follow your heart in the now! :)

Merry Christmas!

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I am sorry to hear that, but don’t be discouraged…look for other options..Do you really want to be a nurse and are you still willing to retake the subject? Things happen and there’s always a reason for that…It’s a good thing that you have realized your shortcomings and you know what your loopholes are…and that gives you the chance to still work on them!

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Dust yourself off. Retake the class. I had to retake that class too. It was a real eye opening experience. Best advice I got was to make flash cards. I did. I carried them with me everywhere. Anytime I had a few minutes of spare time, and I mean anytime, several times each day, I would review them. 5 minutes here, 10 minutes there, really helped out. I took them to soccer games, when my family wasn't playing, I reviewed. I took them to BBQs you name it, my flash cards were with me! I have never considered myself a stupid person. I understand concepts without much review. I have never been one to study a lot. But for this class I had to modify my study habits.

Don't just give up on this class. If you want to go anywhere in health care, you will need it. If you steer clear of health care, it won't hurt to have it.

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