Getting C's in Science Courses

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hii everyone!

I'm currently doing my pre-reqs for the Nursing program, but I'm honestly really nervous. I'm currently holding up a C average in my Science classes. Keep in mind I still have to take Anatomy and Physio. I took a combination A&P class but still got a C in that. :/ If I do well in Anatomy and Physio getting an A or a B will that average out my C that I received in my combined A&P course? I mean I know C's aren't horrible, but their not amazing either.

My GPA is at a 3.0, and I really want to raise it up before I apply. I'm also considering a CNA to gain experience. Any advice?

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Specializes in Interested in hospice & palliative care.

Hi, I do not want to seem discouraging or negative in any way, but the experience I have at my school is that C's in the science classes don't cut it. Your GPA is good but bear in mind that the science classes build on one another and become progressively more difficult. My school puts pathophisiology as a pre requisite and I am taking it this semester. This class is a beast! And I have been advised that when I apply to the program this is THE class they look at. Talk about stress!!!! I hope something in this post was helpful. I haven't had my coffee yet. Lol

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If you get two B's (one in anatomy, one in physiology), that should bring up the C average. I would recommend taking them as your only class or with a much easier class, that way you can spend your time studying for them.

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Hello! Here are my thoughts on the matter, and what I would do in that situation.

I would try to figure out why I got those C's. Was it because I blew off homework? Bombed the tests? Forgot to take some online quizzes? Didn't understand the concepts well enough to do assignments? What caused me to get those C's, and how can I fix it?

Then, I would look at my overall plan: do I have an extra few semesters to retake these classes? Do I have the money to do so?

To me, getting a good grade is important...However, it is more important that you take time to learn the material, too. :) Why? Science classes do build on one another and it will be important in your career. Nursing is a science, after all...

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I'm currently holding up a C average in my Science classes.

What program are you applying for? what are the requirements? We can't answer these questions without that information.

Keep in mind I still have to take Anatomy and Physio. I took a combination A&P class but still got a C in that. :/ If I do well in Anatomy and Physio getting an A or a B will that average out my C that I received in my combined A&P course?

I don't understand. Did you take combined A&P at one school, and now you're retaking it at another school? Again, talk to an admissions counselor for the nursing program. Some schools do grade replacement and some will average them.

I mean I know C's aren't horrible, but their not amazing either.

Okay tough love time. Change this attitude. C's ARE horrible. I think even the least competitive ADN programs tend to requires a 2.5 pre-req (or science) GPA. Stop thinking C's are okay, B's are okay, A's are good, A's with a letter of recommendation are ideal.

In a lot of nursing programs, C's are failing.

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I just got into my program with a 3.65! I got a couple C's in my prenursing and what really helped me was taking the class online through rio salado. retaking it will just further your understanding and help you bring your grade up because the material is familiar, and open book quizzes don't hurt either!

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One thing to keep in mind is that your nursing classes, if you do make it into your program, will be more like the science classes than the other general education classes. Will a 2.0 in your nursing classes cut it?

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:dead: Kill me now! My school wants a minimum of a 2.5 GPA average for Science classes. As of right now, I'm getting a B+ average in my Anatomy 32 class, taking it to raise my crap GPA. I still have one more semester to go until I apply, and I'm meeting with a Nursing counselor this upcoming week to get everything in order. As it looks right now, I have to KICK ASS in the TEAS to even have a chance on getting in. IM SO STRESSED OUT! I know grades don't make the nurse. Nursing is a TECHNICAL skill, my mother is a RN and she precepts Nursing students, and she told me that she'll have students that get really good grades but are whatever in clinicals, and vice versa. UGH!
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Most schools want a 3.0 science average. Can you retake any of your C classes... it may be worth doing so Good luck!

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:dead: Kill me now! My school wants a minimum of a 2.5 GPA average for Science classes. As of right now I'm getting a B+ average in my Anatomy 32 class, taking it to raise my crap GPA. I still have one more semester to go until I apply, and I'm meeting with a Nursing counselor this upcoming week to get everything in order. As it looks right now, I have to KICK ASS in the TEAS to even have a chance on getting in. IM SO STRESSED OUT! I know grades don't make the nurse. Nursing is a TECHNICAL skill, my mother is a RN and she precepts Nursing students, and she told me that she'll have students that get really good grades but are whatever in clinicals, and vice versa. UGH![/quote']

Omg. Before applying to schools I freaked out too. I got an A in anatomy B in physio and a freaking C for micro ( I blew the final because I had a physio final the same day). And my TEAS score was OK at best (it was an 88%) but after applying to four schools (3 cc and 1 profit private school) I was surprised to have gotten accepted to all of them! Lucky much? Yes. But my purpose for sharing is to tell you to never lose hope. I had many sleepless nights before all this. Keep fighting!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Telemetry, ER.
:dead: I know grades don't make the nurse. Nursing is a TECHNICAL skill, my mother is a RN and she precepts Nursing students, and she told me that she'll have students that get really good grades but are whatever in clinicals, and vice versa. UGH!

Umm they kinda do. Without good grades you can't get into nursing school and without good grades in nursing school you can't graduate to be a nurse. I agree with the PP who said you need to change how you think about grades. A C is not ok in nursing. You need to find out what specific classes your school will look at when you apply and do everything you can to get very good grades (an A). Nursing classes are like science classes but they will be harder than your pre-reqs. You should figure out why you are getting C's and how you can get A's - not just to get into nursing school but to stay in it. (Btw a C at my school is the same as failing.) Sorry for the tough love, but it's the truth.

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:dead: Kill me now! My school wants a minimum of a 2.5 GPA average for Science classes. As of right now I'm getting a B+ average in my Anatomy 32 class, taking it to raise my crap GPA. I still have one more semester to go until I apply, and I'm meeting with a Nursing counselor this upcoming week to get everything in order. As it looks right now, I have to KICK ASS in the TEAS to even have a chance on getting in. IM SO STRESSED OUT! I know grades don't make the nurse. Nursing is a TECHNICAL skill, my mother is a RN and she precepts Nursing students, and she told me that she'll have students that get really good grades but are whatever in clinicals, and vice versa. UGH![/quote']

Nursing is largely technical but you as the RN will have to understand the rationale. I don't want a technical zombie taking care of my family. If nursing was all skills any fool off the street could be taught skills. You don't go to school to earn tech (nothing wrong with that) behind your name.... You go to earn RN behind your name.... Which translates to safety and in order to be safe you have to be academically and technically competent. This is my honest opinion as a student.

Do you think you spend 3 - 4 years learning skills? .........

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