Microbiology is killing me

mirandaaa · May 8, 2015

Firstly I would like to say I'm sorry to hear about your breast cancer. I sincerely wish you the best and hope you can get rid of it permanently.

Secondly, if I were you, I would speak to the instructors for the classes you're concerned about and ask if it's even possible to get your grade up to the bare minimum with such a short amount of time left. If not, it may not be worth toughing it out if you won't make it to where you need the grades to be.

Another thing to check for is if withdrawing will affect your financial aid (if you have it).

One final thing is to see what grade you must have in order to retake a class. If you complete the class and don't make the minimum, you'll likely need to retake it and some schools require a D or and F in a class to retake it.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · May 9, 2015

If your goal is to become an RN then you are required to meet certain minimums and hopefully exceed them. You are required to pass your classes with the minimum score. Your illness has nothing to do with the required score. If you are to sick to study then quit. There is no mercy for being sick. The majority of nursing students are facing their own challenges. I was dead broke in nursing school and ate one meal per day. I never mentioned it to anyone. It is what it is. Should you "hang in there"? What you "should" do is subjective. Either earn the grades or don't earn them. It is 100% up to you. If you are not capable then nursing will not be something allowed to do as it has minimum requirements to become licensed. Life is fairly simple. Do it or don't do it. Then move on.

Purple_roses · May 9, 2015

If your goal is to become an RN then you are required to meet certain minimums and hopefully exceed them. You are required to pass your classes with the minimum score. Your illness has nothing to do with the required score. If you are to sick to study then quit. There is no mercy for being sick. The majority of nursing students are facing their own challenges. I was dead broke in nursing school and ate one meal per day. I never mentioned it to anyone. It is what it is. Should you "hang in there"? What you "should" do is subjective. Either earn the grades or don't earn them. It is 100% up to you. If you are not capable then nursing will not be something allowed to do as it has minimum requirements to become licensed. Life is fairly simple. Do it or don't do it. Then move on.

Unfortunately, life is not "fairly simple." It's complicated and everyone has limits. As another poster said, speak to your professors about your likely grade outcomes. Talk to a nursing advisor about what the smartest option would be for you in order to succeed.

I could almost feel tension radiating off of your post OP. I am so sorry you are going through this. I sincerely hope that your treatments work and that you're able to finish this semester. If not, please do not beat yourself up. Life is not simple, and sometimes we have to take a detour, and that's really ok.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · May 9, 2015

My former classmate was diagnosed with breast cancer during her prereqs. She underwent a double mastectomy and chemo/radiation, all during our 1-year accelerated BSN program. She graduated on time with us, and with honors! This was 3 years ago. She clearly had some special accommodations arranged through the school, but she's also a great example of someone that didn't give up. I'm still in touch with her through Facebook, and it seems to me like she is doing quite well and gainfully employed as a nurse. She actually just got engaged to her longtime boyfriend. Hopefully you can be inspired to be like her.

On the other hand, I must say you HAVE to really ace microbiology - and the rest of your prereqs - if you really want to get into nursing school. I say this because there are a LOT of candidates applying to nursing school with A's and anyone with less than an A will get dwarfed out of the applicant pool. It is that competitive I'm afraid, even when I applied 4-5 years ago, more so now probably. Do what you have to do to excel - except cheating of course - and accept nothing less! Trust me, prereqs pale in comparison to nursing school coursework! This is why you take prereqs, to give you background for nursing coursework and show that you can handle it.

Personally, I would risk the W on my transcript and retake the class later if I was going through what exactly you are going through. It is easier to explain the W to nursing schools than getting a C or D and retaking later with an A. If I was on track to get an A while being diagnosed, I definitely would not withdraw though. Again, that's what I would do. You would have to decide what's best for you.

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tbird88 · Jun 12, 2015

Well I toughed it out and passed microbiology with a 3.2 and I am waiting for my statistics grade. But I toughed it out and before final I had 80% in statistics so I'm hoping I at least got a B on the final. I did the best I could and feel like I get what I deserve. I had my surgery and I will start radiation this summer. Maybe chemo too. I think that what windsurfer 8 sound a little cold at first. But it is what it is and I am working it out.

tbird88 · Jun 12, 2015

The story of your former classmate is very inspiring and motivates me to continue on.

babeinboots, MSN, NP, CNM · Jun 12, 2015

Well I toughed it out and passed microbiology with a 3.2 and I am waiting for my statistics grade. But I toughed it out and before final I had 80% in statistics so I'm hoping I at least got a B on the final. I did the best I could and feel like I get what I deserve. I had my surgery and I will start radiation this summer. Maybe chemo too. I think that what windsurfer 8 sound a little cold at first. But it is what it is and I am working it out.

I have to agree with you. Eating one meal a day and battling cancer are not even remotely similar challenges. As the significant other of a cancer survivor, I am a little offended by windsurfer's comment; but like you said, it is what it is and you pushed through.

I commend you for your perseverance and wish you the very best! Don't listen to the nay sayers and don't give up on your dream.

I would also let your school /program know your situation, accommodations can be made for medical reasons. We recently had a student join our cohort. They were in a previous cohort but had to take a leave of absence until they were in remission. The school had reserved a spot for them when they were ready to return.

tbird88 · Jun 12, 2015

I have to agree with you. Eating one meal a day and battling cancer are not even remotely similar challenges. As the significant other of a cancer survivor, I am a little offended by windsurfer's comment; but like you said, it is what it is and you pushed through.
I commend you for your perseverance and wish you the very best! Don't listen to the nay sayers and don't give up on your dream.
I would also let your school /program know your situation, accommodations can be made for medical reasons. We recently had a student join our cohort. They were in a previous cohort but had to take a leave of absence until they were in remission. The school had reserved a spot for them when they were ready to return.

Thanks babe in boots and it is good to hear that the school has accommodations for your cohort. I also was able to benefit from accommodations at my school. My professors have been instrumental in me continuing through the whole quarter.

tbird88 · Jun 12, 2015

I am so glad to hear your significant other is a cancer survivor! Thank goodness.