Feeling defeated - Chemistry 1

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Hello everyone! I have been a member and reader on Allnurses for awhile now and this is my first post.

Well the title explains it all. I'm feeling really down and torn about my performance in school getting my pre reqs for nursing school. A bit of history about myself. In May 2011 I graduated with honors from Our Lady of the Lake University with my BA in Journalism. The last half of my second to last semester was spent in the hospital due to complications with my pregnancy. With the help of my instructors I completed that semester with a 4.0. My last semester was more difficult because I had chosen to minor in biology ( I knew I was going to go for a nursing degree after completing my BA) and was taking strictly science courses. I walked the stage later that year when my son was less than 5 months old. So I know what I am capable of.

Fast forward to today and I find myself having some major difficulties in my chemistry 1 lecture class. I feel if I can't do well in that class I stand no chance in actual nursing school. I don't know if I should drop it or keep going. I am currently taking A&P 1 with the lab, Lifespan Growth & Development and of course Chem 1 and the lab. I have A's in my A&P and Lifespan class. I have gone for tutoring at school but feel I would benefit from a private tutor but I can' afford to pay one $60 an hour. The lab at school has 2 tutors for about 35 students and at times I am waiting 30-45 mins for help. I literally can spend all day doing chem work and still not understand what I am doing. Its to the point where I am constantly stressed and when I sleep I dream about sitting at my desk trying to figure out my work. I do not work but am the sole caretaker of my 22 month old son and one day a week I volunteer at a local hospice. My duties there are to visit residents I am assigned to until they pass on.

My question is has anyone else experienced anything like this before? If so what did you do? I am thinking to drop my chem class and take it again next semester alone. I just feel so defeated.

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I am so sorry to hear that you are overwhelmed. You sound like a really strong person! Anyways, are there any schools in your area that you can apply to that do not require chemistry? I go to a community college in Annapolis, MD that does not require chemistry for its ADN program. Even though you are not doing well, do not think it means you are not cut out for nursing. I recommend Khan Academy chemistry lectures on youtube too. They really help. Good luck!!

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Thanks so much for the kind words. I failed to add some vital information to my post! I actually want to get my BSN and my goal school is UT Health Science Center here in San Antonio. I want so badly to do this! I was looking on youtube as well for help and some things did help but for the most part it was just so much info to take in. I guess I took on way to much this semester.

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Hi chernandez!

I also graduated with my bachelors in May 2011. I literally came home from my chem class this evening (pre-req for ABSN starting in May) and searched for "chemistry" to see what I could find on this site. I am also having a rough time with chem! I can't guarantee you or myself anything, but I do know that if you want something badly enough, you will find a way to make it happen no matter what.

The sole fact that you finished college, had a 4.0 your last semester, and meanwhile went through a difficult pregnancy attests to the fact that you have a lot of will power. I don't know you...but I believe in you! Keep studying and going for extra help. Pour your heart and soul into it. And know that you are not alone in feeling defeated in chemistry!! If we give it all we have, we can do it!

God Bless! :-)

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I know exactly what you're saying! I'm taking the same course load plus 1 more class & the only issue is chemistry.

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I am currently in the same situation looking for the same answer. I did take chemistry by itself and did great in it. So my suggestion would be take one science at a time. I know some people on here say, "I made A's with two kids, took 2 sciences and then 2 electives", but we are all not the same and we all are taught differently.

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Thanks everyone. I actually am going to drop it for this semester. Believe me it was such a hard decision that I spent many days thinking and crying over. I just hate to fail at something. I plan on taking it next semester alone. The sad thing is dropping this course is going to set me behind a year in completing my goal since I can't take 1 other course until I complete Chem. Still I hope I am making the right decision in doing this. Well off to study and prepare for my A&P exam tomorrow. I wish all courses were as easy for me as A&P.

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Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.

Chemistry is a time sucker. It is difficult, but I don't believe that the difficulty should make you question your ability of success in nursing school. Professors have a lot to do with understanding the material also. Everyone learns differently. Hopefully, you can find a professor that clicks with your learning style.

You are postponing your class in order to make more of a commitment to it - I don't think that's a failure.

You find A&P easy - great! I bet Micro will be a breeze for you too. You will use the information in these classes throughout your nursing career.

Chemistry? No one has asked me about the excited state of strontium or how to write the quantum equation for an electron. Call me crazy, but I don't expect it will happen in the future also.

Get through it and carry on!

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You most definitely CAN make it through nursing school without great knowledge of chemistry. I am currently in a BSN nursing program, and can you believe that Chemistry wasn't even one of our pre-reqs? I had to get a "Chemistry Basics for Dummies" book just to pass the TEAS exam because i was never required to take chemistry. You can do it!

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All I have to say is don't let anything get you down, or let you feel defeated...including those setbacks that were of course not in your original plan. Over the last few years while completing my pre-reqs, and curently while in nursing school, I have had a couple set backs that got me down for a minute and almost made me feel like quiting all together, but I just pushed myself to get right back up and keep going with it. All this has been rough at times, but I will finally finish next year, and it will all be worth it. So don't give up...you will get there!!!:)

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Chem was the hardest pre for me. It gets better.

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Chem was a beast for me too....I got a lot of help from khanacademy.org. I agree that if you want the best grade possible, take 1 science at a time with a 1 or 2 general eds. Hang in there :-)

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