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

[Katlin1315]

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!!

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

OP, don't ever say you are dumb.

Secondly, A&P is by far the worst thing ever created in my own experience and opinion. It is a giant suckfest. I was so lost I had no clue. Then I got tutored. I watched you tube, I learn by seeing and feeling. Droning on and on about blah blah blood through heart and I thought my end had come.

If you poll 100 nurses, my guess is that a large percentage took A&P twice.

So, if you can get tutored, do it. Watch some you tube. See what it is that they are lecturing about. Audit a high school A&P class and ask the teacher for some materials you can use. If you email your local high school A&P teacher, I bet that you could get some things you could use.

It also can be the professor. If you have to take it again, see if there's others who teach it,

I absolutely feel your pain. You may have to think outside of the box, but you got this!

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

I freaking HATED Anatomy. I did crappy in Physiology as well. Also, both of these classes were taught by non-nurses but were strictly for nursing students.

I've heard that getting an anatomy coloring book is helpful!

[KStudentNurse70]

DO NOT ever let someone tell you not to pursue nursing because "you're not smart enough". You can do whatever you put your mind to!! I failed bio in high school and did awful. Came to college and I have aced all my classes and am in my last semester of nursing school. If I would have listened to people saying I couldn't do it, I wouldn't be where I am today. Never ever give up on yourself and your dreams. No, it won't be easy, but you're going through a big transition..you just need to learn what's the best way to study for you, even if you fail a&p, retake it and don't give up. Message me if you need any advice or just someone to talk to. Good luck !

[donsterRN, ASN, BSN]

1. You are so NOT dumb. Don't ever let anyone tell you that.

2. The very BEST investment I made was in buying the "Anatomy and Physiology for Dummies". No judgment there, but it spoke to me in language I understood. When I had difficulty with something in class or in the VERY EXPENSIVE TEXTBOOK, I simply looked it up in the APFD and studied it again.

3. You Tube is your friend.

4. I wholly support working as a CNA first. It'll really help you decide if this career is indeed for you.

5. Much luck and success on your journey.

[rac1, ASN, BSN, RN]

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.

Holy.crud. Are you serious right now?

Original poster: do NOT listen to the above advice. You can LEARN to learn. You can. If you want to, you can. Disregard her poor, rude advice.

[111th, ADN, LPN]

You're getting a good grade? Keep trucking along!

A+P is hard and some of it IS hard to understand. One cool thing about nursing and science is that it all ties together. When you get into your med/surg and pharm classes (and you will!) you will start to learn things and then you'll remember something from AP and you'll be amazed when it clicks. Keep trying and don't be so hard on yourself. It sounds like you're doing everything right.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

oh ya, forgot the coloring book, excellent idea.

[DowntheRiver]

Been there,done that - those are some harsh words!

That's more of something I would say to someone who failed A&P three times and still was pursuing nursing, you know?

[djh123]

I'm assuming you just started the class in Jan. If so, I don't know that I'd agree with the others who are telling you to drop it and/or forget about nursing. Some nurses have no problem with the medical and science details, while some others, like me, aren't fantastic at the science but have a strong want to help others, are willing to work hard, keep trying to learn, etc. A fair amount of A&P is memorization, so maybe you can find some tips on the 'net on strengthening your memorization skills.

[akh223]

I would suggest getting into a study group as well. Not sure if one of the other posters commented on this. This helped me out so much when I had to take A&P I&II. A little side note, I did not fail it the first time. I retook them for a better understanding and got an A. It just clicked for me the second time around:) I am 29 and getting my BSN. So do not worry. Good Luck!

[Jengon9344]

Please take a look at the website PICMONIC. It is an excellent study aid for Anatomy & Physiology and everything nursing for people who are visual learners!! They have a nice free version and also a paid version. Check it out. You will not be disappointed. You can also download the APP to your cell phone.

Never call yourself dumb. Just figure out what your learning style is and keep trying. You will continue to develope good study habits and figure out what works for you. Wishing you all the best.

[SirNurse312]

If nursing is your passion, nothing anyone can say on this site can take that away from you. I too was struggling with anatomy, especially because it's the only science class you'll take that is primarily memorization. Only one thing saved my D and turned it into a B: YouTube. Yes, YouTube. I watched so many anatomy videos until I memorized it, casually. No crazy stressing, no overloads, just cover a little part of the body at a time, and if you can, try to get ahead of your class so that you can naturally get a feel for what you're heading into next. You are not dumb, my dear, you are just dealing with a very difficult class. You got this, just YouTube YouTube YouTube. ✊🏼