Pre-Nursing student STRESSING PLEASE HELP

Thomas Taylor · Mar 30, 2015

Hello. I admire your determination. Please allow me to help you with chemistry. Let me know what you need.

guest83140 · Mar 30, 2015

Calm down, and take a deep breathe. If you know in your heart that this is where you want to be and you have seen the inside of real nursing, don't let any one talk you out of it. I got the same thing, 29 years ago and I didn't listen and my journey wasn't peaches and cream either. I had to retake some classes, etc. But now I know it is more competitive but I would be more wiser in this thing. If you failed Chemistry 3 times, did you take this class at the same school and with the same instructor? You can always check out, "Rate my Professor" and find out who is the best professor in that course. Also are you trying to get a 4 year school or 2 year? If you are trying for the 4 year, go for the 2. If you are going for the 2, is that the only 2 year RN in that area? Are you balancing the right classes together, meaning are you staying difficult classes together? Are you working with an advisor? All of these questions can help you figure out the best route to a RN degree. Good Luck to you and don't give up!!!

Prettybirdy · Mar 30, 2015

I honestly would love for you to help me with Chemistry. I am wanting to make no less than a B to make up for my past failure in this course. I have found this class to be extremely difficult I struggle the most with Conversions, Moles, an example of something else I struggle with is knowing how and when to write Copper (II) Chloride as Cu Cl2 (if that makes any sense) and The course as a whole. I think in Chemistry I am a slow learner and I would need a lot of practice! If you could be of any assistance I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you!

Prettybirdy · Mar 30, 2015

I took Chemistry 3 separate times under 3 different professors! The first time I took it was my freshman year, I was completely unmotivated and not at all studying! The second two times I studied and my Professors were not the type of teachers to go back and teach what they expected you to already know, I struggled to keep up in the class. It was very discouraging but I will take it again and pass. I am currently at a 4 year University hoping to transfer to another 4 year university to pursue an ADN program since I do not have the 3.0 for BSN. I am finding that the University I currently attend wanted me to take some classes that I don't need for either ADN or BSN programs I am applying to and that my grades from the select classes the programs are looking for are adding up to a 2.8, now this doesn't include my cumulative of 2.38 this is just for those classes they are looking at for the Program. Could I get to RN through ADN? And before I get accepted I would have to pass the HESI, and If I make a high enough score on it could that help me get in even though I have a low gpa? I know I'm asking a lot of questions but I am trying to find my best way to earning a degree in Nursing ADN seems to be the best option for my GPA but I want to be sure that I will still be able to get my BSN and beyond

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Mar 31, 2015

How are you allowed to retake a class that many times? I've never heard of being able to go above 2. Let me tell you, getting into an ASN program can be harder than a BSN program. Every nursing program is extremely competitive. I see so many people post on here that somehow an ASN program is easier. The core classes are the same. You do clinical rotations at the same places. In my area, anyone can get into a BSN program, it's the ASN that is difficult. At some point, you may have to realize that not everyone is meant to be a nurse.

amorei · Mar 31, 2015

I admire your determination, I really do. But listen. Nursing programs are competitive, yes. It is hard to get in, yes. But, the main struggle starts when you DO GET IN. The classes are harder (multiply Chem by 10 and you'll get Patho or Pharm). There is no slowing down, questions are harder, on exams every answer seems like the right one. I know people with 4.0 pre-nursing who are failing exams in their first semester. My point is: either completely reevaluate your learning/studying strategies or seriously think about switching to another specialty.

If you want to stick to nursing, here is a tip. Get book like Chemistry made incredibly easy or Chemistry for Dummies. They explain difficult concepts in easy way. They can be great as a supplement for the course. In addition, if you're taking Chem in the University with 100+ people in the classroom, try take it in the community college and transfer. They have fewer people (maybe 12-20 students in the class), so it's easier to understand the material and ask questions.

MME20 · Mar 31, 2015

I have no idea how competitive ADN programs are, but I do know a lot of programs have minimum cutoff cumulative GPA's of a 2.5 or higher. For prerequisite courses, many have cutoff GPA's of at least a 3.0.

Is there any way that you can improve your GPA? Could you take a year worth of classes and shoot for straight A's? Also, is your GPA a 2.35 without the grades of your repeated classes? For a couple of the nursing programs I applied to, repeated courses were counted in your final GPA. Therefore, I'd be careful to check how they are calculating your GPA to make sure you meet the requirements for the program. On another note, schools like to see an upward trend in GPA, so if your last year or two in school show consistent/improved grades, it could help.

If you have taken a class 3 times and are still not passing with a significantly improved grade, this will be a cause of concern on your application. I honestly think you shouldn't be shooting for less than an A on your third retake. Can you can get a chemistry tutor or join a study group? My undergraduate institution offered free tutoring services for students. Maybe your school has a similar program?

What kind of volunteer experience are you getting? Do you have strong references you can use? Having strong experiences/references may be able to help offset some of your GPA deficiencies.

I'm starting my program this summer, so I don't have any experience in nursing school yet. However, my step-mom and sister have both just completed BSN programs. Both were 4.0 students and they struggled to maintain their GPAs in nursing school. The coursework is fast paced and you won't get the option of 3 retakes. Therefore, I'd really use your remaining time in your school to improve your study habits and find what works for you! There are some great books with different study strategies that might help.

Maybe run through some of these options with your advisor and see what he/she says. Good luck!

PapaBearRN, BSN · Mar 31, 2015

What are your grades in Anatomy, physiology and microbiology? I know many ADN schools won't accept a class thats been taken been attempted more than two times.

Prettybirdy · Mar 31, 2015

I have failed Chemistry 3 times. GPA 2.38 I plan on taking it this summer, however, I have read a lot of comments and just as I said on my last post I wonder if Nursing school is even an option. I am not willing to give up and I understand the reality of the situation, but I wonder If there is another way...Honest opinions please and try to redirect the sarcasm and negativity. I'm mentally very stressed. I am suppose to be in a nursing program by now but I'm sitting here lost like a remedial idiot. Its hard. Anyway, If anyone knows of any chance I have and how please help. Thank you

ChellyFutureNP · Mar 31, 2015

Im pretty sure you have analyzed ur strengths and weakness in chemistry already. Which concepts did u have a hard time with? What did you do to get better at it? Have u talked to ur professor? Did he/she have suggestions? Have you done them?

I believe that competence in chemistry is necessary in nursing school and future classes (especially if planning to specialize, such as CRNA, NP, etc). Although i also believe that anyone will succeed if they are determined to succeed and IF they do something about what prohibits them from succeeding.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2015

With three chemistry failures on your academic transcript and a 2.38 GPA, the only nursing programs that would unconditionally accept you are the investor-owned schools of questionable repute (read: West Coast University, University of Phoenix, Kaplan, ITT Tech, Chamberlain, Brown Mackie, Platt, Everest, Concorde, etc).