I've just completed the impossible. A&P1 in a 5 week summer semester. I didn't think I'd make it but I did. Problem is... I managed to get a "C", which is good enough to get into the schools that I'm interested in but surely not competative enough.
The second issue is... I'm already enrolled in A&P2 for this fall. Can I still take A&P2 this fall and retake A&P1 next year? Does it make sense to retake the class? Or should I keep the "C" and concentrate on getting an "A" in A&P2 this fall?
I've been out of school for a loooong time and everything is like new to me. I still can't believe I pulled off the "C" in such an intense class. I just went fot it, but I'm not satisfied with my grade.
I had classmates who had C's in their prereqs and still got in to our Accelerated BSN (and our program is extremely competitive and one of the highest regarded in the state). If you have one C and all else is A's I would definitely NOT take it over again.
I'm so thankful for all the input. I know for sure that if I had taken this class in a regular 16 week semester that I would have passed with an A. I really felt that I didn't have enough time to study within that short time. I've also discovered that most of the students in my class were taking the class over a second time. So the 5 week semester was adequate time for them to do better.
I'm feeling a little unsure after reading all the posts. Some say "take it over" and some "keep the "C" and concentrate on getting "A's" in the furture. I've never had so much anxiety in my life. Strategizing on how to get into this nursing program has taken over my life, and I feel that one wrong move can blow my chances in an instant. Having said that, I still have not decided on what to do.
Well if you go ahead and take the classes you have signed up for in fall you'll have time to talk to your academic advisor and find out what your options are and what she suggests.
I would only retake it if an advisor at the school I wanted to attend explicitly says that taking it over will really improve my chances of admission. Other than that, not worth the time and money ... and the horrid feeling of repeating that course material (considering the fact that on some level you kinda review it AGAIN during Health Assessment in nursing school).
If I were you I would retake it. 5 weeks is not long enough to learn everything you need to know from A&P 1. Its really important that you fully understand everything you learn in A&P because your professors in nursing school won't take the time to go over what you should already know from A&P. If there was a tie breaker between you and an other student for a spot in a nursing program and they got a better grade in A&P, they would get the spot. I highly encourage you to retake it. Most nursing schools allow you to repeat one science course for a better grade. If I were you, I would have totally failed that 5 week course...so good for you for getting a C! I think you could totally get an A in a regular 16 week course. I got A's in both my A&P classes but I had to study super hard because I learn a little slower than most people. If you repeat the course and get an A, you will feel so much better and you won't have that C worrying you after you apply to nursing school!
It depends on the school you are apllying to for most schools that is the minimum but unless your undergrad GPA is realy low I wouldnt worry about it.Good Luck
Update: Thanks again everyone for all your input. Turns out that the nursing program in my school focuses on Teas scores first, then GPA. The advisor I spoke with remembered me from a previous meeting, and I then told her how I was concerned with taking A&P1 in a 5 week summer session. She said it would be extremely hard but doable. So when I told her today that I passed with a "C" she congradulated me. I replied "But shouldnt I take the class over?" She replied "Why would you do that???"
Basically she said I scored high enough to get into all of the programs in the schools of my choice, and that the schools don't focus on one little "C" in one class. She advised me to keep my GPA and grades up going forward, and to study all I can for the Tease. She also said by all means take it again if I want to do it for personal reasons.
To be honest, I really don't want to take this class over. Even though I got a "C", I've learned so much in that short time, and actually enjoyed it (when I wasn't having a nervous breakdown). I have all my notes and text books should I need them for any future reference. Now I think it's time to move on to A&P2 and bust it out since I'll have a whole 16 weeks this time!
Thats what I was thinking the outcome would be. I have found a lot of the perceived competitiveness of nursing programs tends to be at the top end amongst the top GPA candidates.
PacoUSA, BSN, RN
3,450 Posts
I had classmates who had C's in their prereqs and still got in to our Accelerated BSN (and our program is extremely competitive and one of the highest regarded in the state). If you have one C and all else is A's I would definitely NOT take it over again.