It's too late, isn't it? Advice and more+

[X-raya]

I have failed A&P three times. Yes, three. First semester I tried but I didn't understand it at all, I was going to withdrawal but my advisor & professor said otherwise, that there was still a lot more left for me to get my grades up but by the time I kept struggling and failing, it was too late to withdrawal. I did great in labs but horrible in lectures.

Second time, I got a D with that same teacher. At this point, I was devastated because I was sure I would get at least a C since my lecture grades were so much better than last semester.Again though, great in labs/ quizzes but bad in lectures, failing some test.

Third time and this time even my roommate had taken it with me ensuring someone to study with and pass with. Again the results were the same. Failure. Because of this failing grade, my GPA is also not so good.

I've been researching, mostly online , watched videos, looked over at some programs (which just made me depressed to no end) and I don't know what to do anymore and I've even fell back now..I'm the first of my family to go to college, a lot of things I didn't know... I know now and learned the hard way. From what I've gathered so far, twice was the mark and no nursing program will take me because of the constant failing.

A lot of people have told me to take a break from a&p, that taking it back to back is sometimes what causes so much stress and anxiety...I do so well in all the work except the tests... I just.. don't know...and I want to get into a nursing program!

This upcoming semester... I've decided to take Statistics to get a A or B. Also planning to take A&P 2. And I was watching videos of nursing students and their rise to the top, many say do not give up...but at this point should I?

The advisors there are not helpful, the people around me haven't gone to college. My friends are having issues of their own regarding the nursing program...All I have is research I've done via the internet and other things, please tell me what you honestly think and no need to spare my feelings.

I need to here it straight... so I figure out what I can do...Thank you.

[Moonkitten]

I don't think it would be a good idea to take A&P 2 when you haven't passed A&P 1. It's not like it gets easier. Don't worry and stress out about being accepted into a program yet, just focus completely on passing A&P 1. There's not much you can do besides figuring out why you're not retaining any of the information... can you hire a tutor? Maybe you should take A&P 1 alone so you'll have all the time you need to study.

Or maybe you should take a different path like enrolling in an LPN program and then an LPN to RN bridge program?

[abcdenrse]

I agree with @moonkitten.

Don't take a&p 2 if you can't pass a&p 1. It's only getting harder. Improve on your study skills first.

You can start from doing a CNA program first, gain some health care experience, then move on to become a nurse in the future (say after 5 years when your failed grades no longer matter that much and can get at least a B in all a&p series). That seems a more realistic path for you

[Luchador, CNA, EMT-B]

Even if you had gotten a C the chance of you getting into RN school with grades like that is pretty mulch zilch. I'd start looking into different routes, like somebody mentioned LPN to RN.

[Ani Talla, MSN, RN]

I agree, what about private tutoring? In the long run, it may help you identify what you're struggling with and improve. A&P is a big piece of the nursing foundation. You may not use statistic on the job when taking care of patients, but I guarantee, you will be using A&P knowledge/concepts. If there is still some struggle in this class, consider widening other options that can lead to a path of happiness and success. What are your other strengths? Don't put blinders up. There are other paths in this world and you never know which road you will ending taking :)

[cameron5575, BSN, RN]

I’m not in a position to tell you whether or not you should give up. However, I would like to weigh in on your trouble with A&P. Why do you feel like you aren’t doing well in it? I know you mentioned that you don’t understand but, specifically, what are you having issues with?

From my experience, passing A&P exams relied mostly on memorization. Are you utilizing resources such as flash cards? It’s hard to study A&P without them. Quizlet is a great resource though actually writing out flash cards may help to better ingrain the information in your mind.

Also, are you asking questions in class? If you don’t understand something (and your textbook doesn’t help), it’s impossible to improve without having it explained to you. A tutor sounds ideal for your situation. My school offers free tutoring but, if yours doesn’t, it might be worth investing in one.

Also, when you say that you do well on the work but not the exams, what is the discrepancy? What is it in the work that you do well with?