Have I RUINED my chances at Nursing? :(

[dpm0x]

I graduated from high school with a 4.0, then went to community college for two semesters and also received a 4.0. I got my CNA over the summer and loved everything about the class and clinical. I started at Western Illinois University as a pre-nursing student in Fall 2012. Last semester was fine, but this one has been ruined because of my health. I've been very sick for about 8 weeks now. I've seen multiple doctors and been put on multiple different medications. I'm getting tests done tomorrow, but they don't know what is wrong yet. They are thinking an autoimmune disease. The joint and muscle pain, migraines, and excessive fatigue are awful but I can attend class with those BUT. . . some days I can't stop vomiting or am too dizzy to walk, which affects my ability to go to class. My Microbiology professor will not excuse absences unless you are hospitalized or a parent dies. She requires documentation for both. Since today was my third absence, I'm going to fail the class unless I can somehow convince her to excuse it. I don't know what to do. I emailed her and explained my situation thoroughly, but what happens if I fail? I dropped Micro last semester due to a bad professor, and recieved a W on my transcript so will I be able to take it again to replace my grade since I withdrew and didn't fail? Our retake policy states tha I need to do this, I need to get into nursing school, but am I out for good if I fail this? Thanks.

[maddiem]

Lots of people have at least 1 or 2 W's on their transcript. As long as you repeat the course and get a good grade the W will be canceled out. it's not as bad as you think! Finish the semester as best you can and if you need to redo courses in the summer/fall and the bad grades get replaced and will no longer affect tour GPA. As long as you do well with the rest of your classes, you will be fine. Your chances are most certainly not over! Calm down :)

[PalmHarborMom]

I would check with your schools policies regarding illnesses. Most have policies in place for these types of situations. Many professors may not have had to deal with this situation so may not be familiar with current policies. Maybe talking to your advisor and student services could provide some insight. My university also has a social services office that helps in these situations. Hopefully, they will be able to help.

In regards to your illness, when I lived in Illinois, Lyme Disease was a really big problem. False negatives were common. I'm sure that the doctors have already considered it. But just thought that I would bring it up considering it is just a blood test.

I hope that things start to look up for you.

[journal_girl]

talk to someone in counseling. they may be able to give you options for medical withdrawal. hope that helps!

[umbdude, MSN, APRN]

Definitely talk to a counselor at school. Can you still drop this course? I think it's probably better that you drop it than getting an "F". Make sure you have your doctor write you a note in case you need it in the future. Some schools have pretty strict repeat policy, so you might have to consider going to another school where repeat policy won't hinder your application. It surely doesn't mean that you'll never become a nurse.

[phoenixnim]

I would check with your schools policies regarding illnesses. Most have policies in place for these types of situations. Many professors may not have had to deal with this situation so may not be familiar with current policies. Maybe talking to your advisor and student services could provide some insight. My university also has a social services office that helps in these situations. Hopefully, they will be able to help.

In regards to your illness, when I lived in Illinois, Lyme Disease was a really big problem. False negatives were common. I'm sure that the doctors have already considered it. But just thought that I would bring it up considering it is just a blood test.

I hope that things start to look up for you.

I agree completely with all of this! Very good advice. I struggle with fibromyalgia which produces all the symptoms you have listed. I struggled a lot more with it in my 20's than now in my 30's. But, I found talking to advisors and professors goes a long way. Good luck! Hope you can get the medical stuff under management!

[chwcbesteph, RN]

For what it's worth, I have two Ws for Comp II on my transcript, and I got into NS just fine!

I hope you get all of your health stuff worked out by the time you get into NS :)

[studentbear, CNA]

I second what some replies said about talking to student services about illness policies. Within that, there may be an option for you to complete a medical hardship withdrawal. Then later do a "grade replacement" while retaking the class, so that the W won't show up on your transcripts. Best of luck to you and hope your health improves.

[Alisonisayoshi, LVN]

Some schools have option for late drop (no w) with documentation. If its available I would look in to that.

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

I have 4 Ws on my transcript and it's not an issue. I've retaken all 4 of these classes and got an A. I had to withdraw due to family/home life issues many years ago. Fast-forward 19 years later and I'm finally completing everything. Check with your program, but most will allow a W. It only gets to be an issue if you have more than 1 W in the SAME class. Our nursing school program only allows 1 retry at a class.

[MommaTy]

It looks better on your transcript to have a withdrawl then a failing grade. I had 3 withdrawls on my transcript. They really don't question or ask why it happened. Just take it again once they figure out whats going on. Don't sign up for classes until they do, because then you might not qualify for grants/scholarships. Hope they get to the bottom of things so you can get back to your life. Good luck.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Screw nursing school for now. You need to take care of yourself. Put classes on hold, tell them why, get a withdraw without prejudice (you can come back later without penalty) and get a diagnosis and treatment. Stress just makes it worse.