Going into a Nursing Program with a bad grade

[mnm97]

Hello! I am a new member here and I would like to get advice from everyone. As of now, I am almost done with my prereqs but I still have microbiology left. I am currently taking Physiology but I am not doing so well in this course. I did horrible on my first exam and I know it's not only going to jeopardize my grade, but also lower my chances of getting into a CSU Nursing Program.

I was planning to drop out from Physiology, but doing so will result me in getting a "W" (withdrawal) since I didn't drop the course before the census date. I have a feeling that I might pass the class with a C+ or lower so I'm not sure which route to go.

At my school, we have 1 chance to retake a science and non science course. If I continue with the class and get a bad grade, I can always retake the course at a community college but it will lower my cumulative gpa for Spring 2018. If I drop out, I will get a "W", which it won't affect my gpa but it will stay on my transcript. I can still retake the class at a cc, but I'm not sure if taking a "W" will count as me using my chance already.

I don't have a specific counselor/advisor to talk to about the nursing program so it's really hard find someone who understands about the program. Sorry if this post was long, but I would like to hear your stories, opinions, and advice. Thank you!

My gpa:

Cumulative- 3.85

Nonscience- 4.0

Science- 3.67 (excluding Physio and Microbio)

[idkmybffjill]

Can you talk to someone in the nursing program? Your best option is going to depend on the rules of the nursing program and how they view certain grades. It seems like W are seen more positively than a bad score usually, but it can be different for your program.

Also, is the highest you can get now a C? Because if this is only the first test, and you have 3 or 4 total, you can still make a good grade if you apply yourself and if there are also other assignments. But I'd only stay with it if you know you can buckle down and get at least a B. If not an A still.

[mnm97]

Can you talk to someone in the nursing program? Your best option is going to depend on the rules of the nursing program and how they view certain grades. It seems like W are seen more positively than a bad score usually, but it can be different for your program.

Also, is the highest you can get now a C? Because if this is only the first test, and you have 3 or 4 total, you can still make a good grade if you apply yourself and if there are also other assignments. But I'd only stay with it if you know you can buckle down and get at least a B. If not an A still.

There is no one who I can speak to in regards to the program. We have counselors who don't know anything about the programs requirements.

I am not sure if I can get a better grade other than a C+. My sister told me to continue with the class and just accept the C+ because it's better than nothing, but it will affect my overall and science GPA.

I have 2 more exams and a final. My teacher also gives out homework and other assignments to help our grades, but the points won't make a difference because the exams are worth more than the homework/assignment points.

[instax_]

California nursing programs are extremely competitive to get into and as far as I know, none of the programs really care about a W on your transcript. I believe a W does count as a "retake". If I were in your situation I would definitely drop the class & retake it for a chance of getting an A. I only have 2 B's on my entire transcript and it's been pretty difficult for me to compete for admission even into the ADN programs.

If you do end up dropping and choose to retake it at a CC, I recommend you finding a CC with a nursing program and speaking to some of the counselors there. They will definitely know more about various nursing programs in the state / their admission requirements.