New to Nursing, Having trouble in Stats

Published

Hey everyone,

I just switched my major to nursing after coming to the realization that Elementary Education may not lead me to a very fruitful career (I'd already been an El. Ed. major for a year). Anyway, I am currently working towards my Associates in Science at a community college, and looking to transfer to a nursing school to get my BSN after that.

I've been on the Dean's List since the start of my college career, and I've had very good grades. However, this semester, I am having trouble in my Statistics class (it is online and the teacher doesn't exactly "teach"). I'm trying my best here, but I don't see any way that I could pass the class.

I guess my question is, if I do, indeed, fail my Statistics class, and retake it with a passing grade, is my chance of getting into nursing school very low?

Any insight would be lovely.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't think anyone can give you a truthful answer. We simply do not have enough information. Will an F look bad? Yep. Will a W look bad? Not as bad as an F most likely. Maybe you should debate whether it makes sense to take a loss.

On the other hand, you still have many weeks left in the semester. Maybe you can try a different way to prepare for your exams and assignments. Talk to the instructor. Maybe if the instructor knows your trying to dig yourself out of the hole you'll get some help.

I took statistics at a community college this past Spring. I have always been well versed in mathematics. Stats was tough! I had to work for my A. I cannot imagine taking a math course online.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

There are just some classes that don't work well in an online (asynchronous) mode, and Stats is one of them. Most students really need interaction with a knowledgeable instructor in order to understand those complex formulae and concepts. Good stats instructors help students make sense of it all - they monitor everyone's level of confusion and know when they need to switch instructionsl strategies. In my intro class (before calculators were allowed if you can believe it!) had a thick Chinese accent but used a lot of different activities to reinforce ideas rather than simply relying on endless sessions of hard math. It was actually an enjoyable experience.

I would also advise you to W-out if possible if you think you're not going to pass. Re-take it in a traditional classroom setting; organize a study group; sign up with a tutor.... you can do this!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I took stats online (through Pearson, I think?) and preferred it that way. All of the homework and quizzes were online, while exams were on campus at the testing center.

Get a good calculator, a TI-85 or TI-84, it should help. You can look up z-scores, p-values, ect, on tables, but I preferred to do it my calculator. Plus, it's nice to have ways to check your work.

On the homework, if you get a problem wrong or need a step-by-step breakdown on how to solve, I found the online instruction quite efficient and easy to follow.

I thought this was much better than taking it in class, where instructors can go off on tangents or be hard to understand.

Oh also, draw out the little bell curves and areas, even if not required, I think it helps conceptualizing problems.

Hang in there and good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I took stats online, and what really helped me was the solutions manual that came with the text. The solutions manual broke down each question from the text step by step, and really helped me to learn how to work the problems. If there is a solutions manual you can rent one for the remaining of the semester for a very reasonable price. I never really had the "ah ha" moment in stats, which was unusual for me in math class, I just had to learn how to work the problems.

If the rest of your grades are strong and you have one W, I do not think it would hurt you much, but then that depends on the school. If you know where you want to get your BSN try to talk to an admissions adviser to find out what effect a W has. A W is better than a D or ans F though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
There are just some classes that don't work well in an online (asynchronous) mode, and Stats is one of them. Most students really need interaction with a knowledgeable instructor in order to understand those complex formulae and concepts. Good stats instructors help students make sense of it all - they monitor everyone's level of confusion and know when they need to switch instructionsl strategies. In my intro class (before calculators were allowed if you can believe it!) had a thick Chinese accent but used a lot of different activities to reinforce ideas rather than simply relying on endless sessions of hard math. It was actually an enjoyable experience.

I would also advise you to W-out if possible if you think you're not going to pass. Re-take it in a traditional classroom setting; organize a study group; sign up with a tutor.... you can do this!!!

I absolutely agree. Even if you are strong in math, stats is another animal. I would take the W, sign up for a "live" course next term and get very familiar with the location of the tutoring center, just in case. Nursing programs are extremely competitive, why risk the grade?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion