I failed a prereq

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 6, 2014

I had issues similar to the OP, but I was 'fresher' out of high school. Although I had taken four years of college prep algebra, statistics and precalculus in high school, I still tested into the lowest developmental (a.k.a. remedial) math sequence in community college.

This meant that I had to start at remedial arithmetic, then elementary algebra, then intermediate algebra, before I would be allowed to enroll in a college algebra course. Let's just say that, after 14 years (ages 19 to 33), I am still unable to escape the vortex better known as non-credit bearing developmental math coursework. I simply have not been able to understand the coursework, and I probably never will.

To circumvent the issue, I completed a 12-month LVN program at a trade school about 10 years ago. The program required no prerequisites, and the only admissions requirements were a passing score on an entrance exam and an essay on a topic of my choice.

After a few years of working as an LVN and slowly completing more prerequisites, I found an LPN-to-ASN bridge program that required no math coursework. I graduated with honors and am now enrolled in an online RN-to-BSN degree program with 7 more credits to go before graduation.

The BSN program required an introductory probability & statistics course to fulfill the degree plan's quantitative numeracy requirements, which I was able to pass because it was more theoretical and did not contain elements of calculus like many other basic statistics courses do.

Don't get me wrong. My LVN and LPN-to-ASN bridge programs required medication math and dosage calculations assignments, and I was able to score 100 percent on these exams. This is because medication math and dosage calculations are a far lower level of math than college algebra, perhaps at a sixth to seventh grade mathematical level at the most.

I still hope to pass a college algebra math course someday to prove to myself that I can do it. However, I am unwilling to allow this gatekeeper requirement to prevent me from fulfilling my career aspirations.

Glycerine82, LPN · Nov 6, 2014

It happens. Just retake it and do better.

caliotter3 · Nov 6, 2014

Hope you withdrew today. Better to have a W on your transcript than an F or a D. You can pick this up next term, or even the term after that one if it takes you that long to get it together with help. Good luck.

Shonqueen1 · Nov 6, 2014

[COLOR=#003366]delonghi I understand how you feel. I would withdraw and see what it will happen if you did. I withdrew from one of my classes about 2 Semesters ago because I didn't wont a bad grade. I made a bad grade "D" that dropped my 3.0 GPA. So now I have to take my Biology classe over and I am going to start off with the lower Biology classes to bring it up. Don't retake the same class unless you are sure you will pass it with a better grade or get some help that will help you pass the class.

"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".

Thank you akulahawkRN I have a setback with my GPA and I truly believe that it may be what I need to make it happen. It only makes me work harder and to appreciate it better. I want this so I have to start acting like I want it.

LoyalWeim · Nov 7, 2014

akulahawkRN,

I have to say I love your brutal honesty, and yet it is tempered with commitment, optimism, and determination! I often see some students seem to fail repeatedly (I tutor students), and it seems to me that most of them are not really critically analyzing their weaknesses and addressing them. It is almost as if they prefer to declare themselves helpless or stupid (i.e. "I just cannot do math"), rather than really, really work at it. I believe that part of being a good student is acknowledging those weak areas and hit them hard! This might mean literally working a few hours every single day on math, seek tutoring, doing problems over and over and over! I work with a lot of students and I see both types pretty much daily. I have those that I see on a daily basis, that come in and show me the work they have done and attempted on their homework. These students usually pass, maybe not with an 'A' but they pass and move on. The other group, no matter how much I help them, seem to not really make much individual effort. They literally want my help on every single problem even if the next problem is very similar (or practically identical) to the previous one. These student inevitably fail the exams. They use little effort to make that brain muscle flex on its own! So come test-time, they are lost.

I use the analogy of a body builder. A body builder must work out to build and strengthen their body muscles. We, as students, must do the same with our brains!

delonghi,

I agree with akulahawkRN. Use this class a learning lesson. I work with students that struggle with math (especially algebra) everyday and believe me most of them are capable of passing. But, for those that particularly struggle with math- it takes a lot of hard work. I am not saying that you didn't work hard here... just that perhaps you could do it differently such as getting more help regularly. I have some students that once I "get them going", they fly on their own for awhile before getting stuck again. Same thing... I give them a "nudge" and boom they are off to the races again!

Sorry, long-winded reply....

LoyalWeim

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2014

If you are going to quit nursing due to one failed test then you should for SURE quit. If one obstacle makes you quit then you are in the wrong career field. A person who truly wants something uses challenges to build upon to succeed. I am a BSN nurse and have been for 8 years. I had bad tests occasionally in school and quitting NEVER entered my mind..EVER! Ok..I got a bad grade...so I study more..I change the way I study..I go into animal mode and MAKE it happen. So yes..you should quit if you can't overcome a challenge.