Nursing is my passion but I feel like I am too dumb.

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Hi, I'm new to writing on the forum but I've been stalking the site for awhile lol. Growing up I always loved taking care of others, and when my baby cousin was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease I spent a lot of time in the children's hospital. I decided then to pursue nursing. I haven't gotten bad grades in science but I'm currently in anatomy and physiology and can not comprehend what the teacher is saying. I find it interesting but he teaches from the book and it's hard for me to grasp. I feel so dumb, I want to be a nurse and it breaks my heart that I don't understand the stuff that's being taught. I didn't have anatomy in high school I was homeschooled and my curriculum was really focused on the fine arts. I'm not bad at math and I do really well in English but I can't seem to think scientifically on test. Do I need to find another field of study? How do I learn anatomy? I've asked my teacher for help but he made me feel even dumber. I just took my first test and I haven gotten my grade back but I went in thinking I knew some stuff and came out feeling like a failure. I went to the school tutor but again I don't get what she means. I learn by applying things to real life and right now everything is so technical. I have no clue what to do, please help!!

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I entered the nursing field 3 decades ago, because my baby developed a one in a million blood disorder... histiocytosis... research THAT monster.

Anatomy was also my weak point. I passed it because I have excellent memorization skills.

I must say..your home schooling has NOT prepared you for nursing school. I would not pursue nursing.. if I were you.

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Have you tried supplementing your A & P lectures with audio visuals? There is a plethora of knowledge on YouTube. I suspect that when you start labs you'll connect more with the material. Also if you think in pictures from your background try drawing the structures you're learning. That's how we teach it with visual learners. It's a strength. You might need to switch instructors or find a new tutor. I had to tutor all my math courses because I just don't think like that.

Also look into the YouTube channel EmpoweRN and listen to her postings on how to study in college. It will help.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

Welcome to being a member of AN.com and not just a stalker!

I always loved taking care of others

This is the essence of nursing, Katlin1315.

Perhaps you would consider climbing the ladder through starting out as a CNA, which has lots of caregiving?

Then, there's the LPN program. The LPN courses are more practical. For example, the A&P text in the program I went through was titled "Structure and Function".

It would be a shame for someone, like you Katlin1315, with a love for caregiving not to go into this field.

The very best to you, and good luck in your endeavor!

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I looked up histiocytosis and it truly is awful, I was so sorry to hear that for you and your family. I completely agree that the homeschool did not help prepare me for nursing. I attended public school with honors up until my tenth grade year when my grandmother fell ill and I had to take care of her daily.I hated not getting the education that I should have and I regret it deeply now. Thank you so much for your sound advice!!

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Thank you so much!! I love allnurses! It's such a great site. I really appreciate all of the wonderful advice Davey Do, it's a great idea to see about becoming a CNA or LPN first! And Lavenderskies I am definitely going to take your advice! I've watched a few YouTube videos and they seemed to help me grasp the concepts more, I'm a very visual learner but I also like to explain what Ive learned back to people so I gather the info. I am thinking about getting a tutor so I can make sure im grasping the concepts right. Thank you so much for your advice!!

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Kat, if you can drop the course without causing an academic issue, i would do that. Did you have bio in HS before leaving? ordinarily that is a 10 grade class. If not, that is where you need to start, and get up to speed. Davey's advice can go right along with mine.

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Specializes in Dialysis.

Also, go and actually shadow nurses in different areas. So many on these boards know its their 'passion', only to get out into the real world of nursing and find out it's totally different. Not trying to squash your dreams, but telling you to look realistically before you leap. Good luck!

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I don't know how old you are but if I had gone straight to nursing prerequisites after high school I would have flunked out of every course. I didn't start nursing prerequisites until I was 28.

I went from being a poor student in high school who thought I was dumb and hated math, science, etc., to getting straight A's in nursing.

I like Davy Do's idea of starting out as a CNA but please don't stop there, don't think your "too dumb" to take nursing classes. Wait a few years. Maybe take one prerequisite at a time while working part time.

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Morte yes I did have bio in high school and I had it last semester because it was a pre requisite to anatomy and I did good in bio so I have no clue why anatomy is confusing me so bad lol. Ive considered dropping the course but my grade in it is still good and I would love to actually grasp it. I agree with you RNinIN! I just got an internship at a children's hospital to shadow the nurses and provide support to patients so Im hoping that will give me an idea if I should continue! Thank you so much for your advice!! Brownbook im 19 and thank you so much for commenting and giving great advice!!

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Specializes in ICU.
I looked up histiocytosis and it truly is awful, I was so sorry to hear that for you and your family. I completely agree that the homeschool did not help prepare me for nursing. I attended public school with honors up until my tenth grade year when my grandmother fell ill and I had to take care of her daily.I hated not getting the education that I should have and I regret it deeply now. Thank you so much for your sound advice!!

You had to take care of your grandmother daily at 15/16? That's some serious life skills learnt right there. Not everyone has those at 19.

From your posts you don't sound dumb at all! Good luck Katlin, I hope you get where you want to go and you enjoy it when you get there :).

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Even with LVN program you still would need A&P 1&2 .. At least at most schools in Texas.. I had to take both along with others pursing ADN.. I won't say you are dumb at all.. There are other supplement books to help with A&P.. Or maybe drop the class and try different teacher

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