Is the Universe telling me something?

djksjdalksjf · Oct 12, 2018

Only you can say for sure. However, math and chemistry are pretty important to nursing. Maybe try an ADN program that allows you to retake pre requisites.

When you failed your classes, did you seek out tutoring early on? Were you putting real effort into them even though they were "non nursing"?

bitter_betsy, BSN · Oct 13, 2018

Have you been in school lately or did you just recently start back? Maybe the ABSN program was too fast paced for you or maybe you were working too much to focus on school properly? Can you try getting into another program that isn't an ABSN?

You didn't say over what period you took them and failed - was it all in 1 semester? Did you just not get any of it? Be honest with yourself and figure out why you didn't do well - make written lists on what worked for you and what didn't work - for each class. Determine for each class what didn't work the first time and what you changed to make it work the second time. For stats - figure out where you did better the 2nd time and also figure out what you weren't able to figure out and see if you can determine why (I'm not talking learning the material itself - I mean concepts...) Some things in statistics are sort of abstract. I'm super great at math - I suck at stats - it just seems all backwards and stupid to me and doesn't seem logical at all to me. It was a really hard class for me. My undergrad degree is also as a programmer and statistics although its math - its theory that just doesn't jive with my programming background. So for me - I have to change my study habits and just memorize. I can't make it make sense to me - I just have to memorize to get through. Its terrible - but its the truth. If other peoples lives were at stake because of stats, I'd do a better job of figuring it out, but no one is going to live or die if I can't figure out what 2 standard deviations from the norm are.

As students we aren't ever taught how to study. We are given plenty of homework, but no one ever teaches us how to learn. They test us to make sure that we are - but no one ever teaches us multiple ways to study. I homeschooled my daughter and spent 4 years teaching her to learn to study so that when she went to school - she actually could study. Everyone assumes that you just "know" how to study but it doesn't work that way. You have to understand how you learn and then focus on how to best feed your brain with your homework. Have you ever really learned to study?? If not - do you have someone that can help you learn to study? I'd be more than happy to send you some suggestions that have worked for my daughter and I. I made my daughter work the same math problem for 1 week. Day 1 she worked the 1 problem 10 times - repetition. Day 2 she had to use sentences to write out how to solve the problem. Day 3 she had to teach it to our cats. Day 4 she had to come up with 10 other problems just like it. Day 5 she had to make a video explaining her 10 problems and how to solve each of them. It was never about the 1 problem. It was always about understanding there were multiple ways to learn how to do the problem and one way was going to work better for her.

Me personally, for math and chemistry - I work problems. I work them forward and backward and I work them until I understand them and can explain them to someone else. For things like A&P and Micro - I listen to the lecture/textbook while I'm driving. I re-read all of my powerpoint lectures. I make notecards from our study-guides and finally - I go through every computer based question available to me until I can get 100 on every test. Sure - it takes me hours to do it - but I understand. I've learned that I can't just read lectures. I have to see it, write it and hear it for it to stick. It took me a couple years to figure out that this is my particular learning style as well.

Don't give up - just change your approach. Determine why you didn't do well. Is it something that you can fix on your own or do you need someone to help? Do you need to take a program and go slower, do you need to learn different study habits or establish study habits if you don't have them?

Don't think for 1 minute this has to do with your age (I'm 45 and there's plenty of people starting that are older than we are). If you want to do this - then get it done!! You just need to step back, re-evaluate and hit it head on. You can do this!!! You really, really can!!!

Sorry for the book - I just don't want you to give up.

Bonstemps, EMT-P · Oct 13, 2018

Don't give up on your dream; instead, dedicate yourself to improving. The material is tough, but if it is your dream, you must continue to study and perhaps hire a tutor. Consider a non-accelerated BSN, or, perhaps try a different program at a different school. This is not the end - it took me 10 years to get back on track and continue nursing, so I understand.

Do not give up!

ambie · Oct 20, 2018

You're entirely right, but I wanted to find what you think. I did not seek out tutoring early; only when I had to repeat. No, looking back, I did not as I has a pregnant daughter living at home at the time who was in turmoil, and found myself distracted. I feel that I should look into an ADN program.

Thank you for your input as I appreciate it.

ambie · Oct 20, 2018

Have you been in school lately or did you just recently start back? Maybe the ABSN program was too fast paced for you or maybe you were working too much to focus on school properly? Can you try getting into another program that isn't an ABSN?
You didn't say over what period you took them and failed - was it all in 1 semester? Did you just not get any of it? Be honest with yourself and figure out why you didn't do well - make written lists on what worked for you and what didn't work - for each class. Determine for each class what didn't work the first time and what you changed to make it work the second time. For stats - figure out where you did better the 2nd time and also figure out what you weren't able to figure out and see if you can determine why (I'm not talking learning the material itself - I mean concepts...) Some things in statistics are sort of abstract. I'm super great at math - I suck at stats - it just seems all backwards and stupid to me and doesn't seem logical at all to me. It was a really hard class for me. My undergrad degree is also as a programmer and statistics although its math - its theory that just doesn't jive with my programming background. So for me - I have to change my study habits and just memorize. I can't make it make sense to me - I just have to memorize to get through. Its terrible - but its the truth. If other peoples lives were at stake because of stats, I'd do a better job of figuring it out, but no one is going to live or die if I can't figure out what 2 standard deviations from the norm are.
As students we aren't ever taught how to study. We are given plenty of homework, but no one ever teaches us how to learn. They test us to make sure that we are - but no one ever teaches us multiple ways to study. I homeschooled my daughter and spent 4 years teaching her to learn to study so that when she went to school - she actually could study. Everyone assumes that you just "know" how to study but it doesn't work that way. You have to understand how you learn and then focus on how to best feed your brain with your homework. Have you ever really learned to study?? If not - do you have someone that can help you learn to study? I'd be more than happy to send you some suggestions that have worked for my daughter and I. I made my daughter work the same math problem for 1 week. Day 1 she worked the 1 problem 10 times - repetition. Day 2 she had to use sentences to write out how to solve the problem. Day 3 she had to teach it to our cats. Day 4 she had to come up with 10 other problems just like it. Day 5 she had to make a video explaining her 10 problems and how to solve each of them. It was never about the 1 problem. It was always about understanding there were multiple ways to learn how to do the problem and one way was going to work better for her.
Me personally, for math and chemistry - I work problems. I work them forward and backward and I work them until I understand them and can explain them to someone else. For things like A&P and Micro - I listen to the lecture/textbook while I'm driving. I re-read all of my powerpoint lectures. I make notecards from our study-guides and finally - I go through every computer based question available to me until I can get 100 on every test. Sure - it takes me hours to do it - but I understand. I've learned that I can't just read lectures. I have to see it, write it and hear it for it to stick. It took me a couple years to figure out that this is my particular learning style as well.
Don't give up - just change your approach. Determine why you didn't do well. Is it something that you can fix on your own or do you need someone to help? Do you need to take a program and go slower, do you need to learn different study habits or establish study habits if you don't have them?
Don't think for 1 minute this has to do with your age (I'm 45 and there's plenty of people starting that are older than we are). If you want to do this - then get it done!! You just need to step back, re-evaluate and hit it head on. You can do this!!! You really, really can!!!
Sorry for the book - I just don't want you to give up.

Your 'book' is much appreciated. I am grateful that you took your time in answering me thoughtfully. I suppose that I did not know how to proplerly how to study. That is where I have failed myself miserably.

Yes, as a matter of fact, I did step back into the academic world from taking a long break! I feel that I should start with a slower paced CC, with 12 weeks rather than 8 weeks of instruction.

Yes, I failed each class in the same semester and it was devastating.

You're right, I will take this time and re-think my approach and my reasons for failing. I absolutely agree with you-I need a slower-paced environment. It was too fast paced for me. Especially since I had not been in college for a long time.

ambie · Oct 20, 2018

Don't give up on your dream; instead, dedicate yourself to improving. The material is tough, but if it is your dream, you must continue to study and perhaps hire a tutor. Consider a non-accelerated BSN, or, perhaps try a different program at a different school. This is not the end - it took me 10 years to get back on track and continue nursing, so I understand.
Do not give up!

You are an inspiration! I think that it will take me awhile to get through this difficult stage, but watching the nurses that I work alongside, makes me yearn to do the things that they do and be that comfort and protector that they are for their patients.

Bonstemps, EMT-P · Oct 20, 2018

You are an inspiration! I think that it will take me awhile to get through this difficult stage, but watching the nurses that I work alongside, makes me yearn to do the things that they do and be that comfort and protector that they are for their patients.

Your motivation is exactly what creates good, empathetic nurses. I think you will be brilliant.