I failed a prereq

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I don't know what to do at this point. I just found out I failed my math test and this was one of my prerequisites. I failed the first test and now the midterm. I feel like its the end of the world for me and don't know if I should give up nursing. I haven't taken a math class in 11 years and didn't think it was this hard. I went to see an advisor and the pre reqs were Algebra/A&p 1-2/ Micro and Psy. is there any advise someone can give me? Tomorrow is the last day to withdrawal from the class. Ive been working in the health care field for a while now and I really do want to be a nurse.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

If you are absolutely sure that your only other alternative is to fail the class, go ahead and withdraw. But this will probably be reflected as a WF on your transcript. It won't necessarily have a negative impact on your GPA, but it may be considered by admissions officers if they have specific rules about withdrawals or repeats.

I'm sure you have already reviewed all your options many, many times. If this class is a pre-req, then you either have to pass it or just give up on admission to that program. So, you'll have to decide where you want to put your efforts. If you are committed to that specific program, then you'll have to figure out how to pass the course. Is there any chance you may have a previously undiagnosed learning disability? This happens surprisingly often in adults who simply considered themselves "poor students". Have you engaged a personal tutor?

Alternatively, you could investigate other schools - it's doubtful that you can obtain a BSN without algebra, but there may be some programs out there.

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I want to try and take this class nex semester. I am gonna try a personal tutor and see if this will help me. I took a math for nursing and passed it, its just the Algebra thats really killing me.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

I tend to agree here. If you feel that your only alternative is to stick it out and possibly fail, then your best recourse at this point is to withdraw. Sure you'll likely get a "W" on your transcript, but that's usually better than an "F" on that same transcript. In my mind, it would tell me that the student has taken a good look at their progress and determined that further progress in this particular term would be futile. It also gives you time to visit various school resources to see if you have a learning disability, to see if if they can figure out what kind of "learner" you are so that you can best learn material, to take a look at what you need to do so that you can be successful in the future.

Now I'm pretty decent at math and I got pretty good grades in Algebra... and I'm even fairly decent at statistics (I've even taken healthcare stats...) but I just wasn't ever able to wrap my brain around Trig and I don't know if I ever will. Yet I did quite well during Nursing School.

I suppose what I'm telling you is that you probably should take a look at yourself, use every tool at your disposal to figure out what you need to wrap your mind around this so that you can proceed further. Nursing itself doesn't use difficult math. Some of the prerequisites do.

Something else: From the time I started down the road to nursing school (doing prerequisites), it took me just about 2 years to get through them (went slow, did extremely well) and once I was qualified as an applicant, it took me another 4 years to get a seat in a program. Once I got in, it took me 3 years to complete the program and I graduated "with honors" while taking care of family and working full time.

Don't worry about a relatively minor setback such as this. It may slow you down some, but if Nursing is what you want to do, it may just be the ticket you need to ultimately make it happen.

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Thank you, I will defiantly see what my options are today about withdrawing. I do work full time and have a kid, and I don’t ever want that to be an excuse to not passing classes. I feel like this is a big setback but i still want to try and take it again and pass it.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.
Thank you, I will defiantly see what my options are today about withdrawing. I do work full time and have a kid, and I don’t ever want that to be an excuse to not passing classes. I feel like this is a big setback but i still want to try and take it again and pass it.

In the short-term, it will be a setback, but if you use this time to figure out where you need to improve, it won't be time wasted. Sometimes it's figuring out how you learn best or how you study best that does the trick. I had to take a break during nursing school (failed out and was readmitted) and during that interval, I figured out what it was that kept me back. It put me back a full year, but I ended up being (unbenownst to me at the time) an inspiration to the class and my professors, so much so that they created a new award to recognize that.

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Thank you! I do need to figure out what I need to improve! it sucks that I had to fail this class to learn a lesson! I doubt myself a lot and it shows in my work. I have a good support system and they are willing to help me so I have to take full advantage!

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What about taking preAlgebra or whatever the class is before the class you're struggling with? Also, check out khanacademy.org -- I think they do a great job teaching all levels of math and it's free!

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What about taking preAlgebra or whatever the class is before the class you're struggling with? Also, check out khanacademy.org -- I think they do a great job teaching all levels of math and it's free!

I will check today and see if they offer pre algebra classes at my school and I will also check out the website. I haven't taken math in 11 years so what comes easy to others takes me much longer. I meet with my advisor today and hopefully he will have more information that will help me get through this.

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Specializes in Emergency.

I would finish the class. Even if you fail, you will still get exposure to the study material which will help you when you retake the class - it is a pre-requisite so I assume you can keep retaking it. If you withdraw from the class I think you will feel worse and the prospect of taking the class again will cause even more anxiety. I sympathize with you as I dislike math also. Good luck and please don't give up.

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If this is something you really want go for it. If you still have a chance to drop the class I would drop it with a W then to have a bad grade to lower your GPA. If you are struggling with your pre-req its very telling how you will do in the nursing program. I hope you can pull yourself up and get back on track goodluck.

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Specializes in Mental Health, Gerontology, Palliative.

One book I found really helpful in learning the maths for drug calcs was "maths and meds for nurses' it takes you from the maths right through to doing drug calcs

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