Should I listen to the results or should I follow my heart?

[Hopelessly]

Hi, I am new to allnurses.com and am so glad there is a forum all about nursing. So ever since high school sciences and math were never my strong subjects. I have always excelled in English literature, history, philosophy, and art;however, not so much in the core sciences, such as chemistry or biology. Ironically, I find science more interesting and intriguing. Nursing is a profession I hold with utmost respect towards and my passion as of now is nursing. I know academically I am not strong, but my ambition and determination trumps that. Right now I am a junior in college taking pre nursing courses but am doing very poorly in them. I passed A&P I, A&P II, ChemI, ChemII, Human Development, and Drug Calculations with C's while excelling in English literature, Western Civilization, Nutrition, Sociology with A's. My GPA as of now is a 2.3 and I want to get into the Nursing program at UMass Boston. I am and will always be interested in health care. That is a field I am adamantly passionate about. But does the results from my core pre-nursing courses really determine if I am capable of being a nurse? Should I listen to the result as a sign nursing is not for me? This is the most painful realization ever because all of my professors tell me there is nothing I can do to get into a Nursing program with a GPA lower than 3.7.

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Good day, Hopelessly:

I agree with those who shared about retaking the classes if you can do better. One thing I recommend is that the moment you get a bad grade, then schedule an appointment to see the professor to go over the quiz / exam. Ask them directly how you can do better. Show the professor your notes, and ask if they are correct, what's missing? If you don't participate in class, do. I find it helps reinforce right thinking while also getting rid of bad thinking quickly.

Another thing to introspect, is why did you panic on the science tests and not on sociology and the other classes for which you got "A's?" While the subject matter is different, how different were the tests and testing experiences that in one you would not panic, the other you would?

Thank you.

[Hopelessly]

The testing was definitely different for my non-core classes. Assignments and exams for my English Writing, Literature, Western Civ, and Sociology were essay-based. I did not take any multiple-choice testing for any of those subjects. So it was easier for me.

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Good day, Hopelessly:

Thank you for sharing. From my understanding of the nursing field is that a question will present itself with a number of answers, several of which will be right with just one "best" right answer. If you have trouble with multiple choice, it will probably not get easier until you start conquering why multiple choice is hard for you.

Thank you.

[WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

You may or may not be able to, as a C is technically passing, and some schools won't accept you if you've retaken courses.

I think it is also important to note here that what constitutes a C in courses outside of a nursing program would be failing in many nursing programs. I think for my program, anything below an 80 is failing, but other programs may be different.

I say this just for a dose of reality--if you are getting C's in pre-requisite courses, nursing courses are much harder and graded MUCH harder, as well.

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Good day, Hopelessly:

I remembered http://umaine.edu/tutorprogram/files/2011/11/tutor_program_tip-taking_multiple_choice_exams.pdf as I was out for a walk. I found those tips helpful; maybe they will be of help to you.

Thank you.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

If it comes down to it, LPN courses may be easier to be accepted into (not saying that the course work is any easier though), and then you can apply for a LPN to RN bridge program, you'll have to check the requirements for that though too, I'm not sure about your area.

I think this may be your best bet OP.

Research what the area schools are offering; however, I will say nursing school, especially PN school is VERY rigorous-to have a firm grasp of the sciences is a must for nursing...you build on those aspects when going through the program.

You may need to retake your sciences after a period of time. Research what your options are.

Best wishes.

[dt70]

You should have sought help after 1st class. You should try to identify what reasons caused the lower grades. Where they study habits, or the information was difficult(it is) and you did not seek help. Even if you decide to change to different major, you need to do this.

There are other great areas of healthcare where you would make a direct positive impact on others.

There is also a chance that those C's are good enough, and taking more classes will raise your GPA enough to get accepted. Speak with two different advisors, your university advisor, and the nursing advisor. Go in with ideas written down on paper making your case that you are not ready to give up, and ask their advice on how you can achieve your goal.

If both advising appointments are not promising, there is another option. Your math and science classes would not be counted towards the application if they are too old. Even if you had A's in all classes. My local ADN program requires it within last 5 years and my local BSN program requires it within the last 10 years. So possibly after 5 years you have a fresh start. You can take other classes in the interim.

It sounds like you identified test taking skills as a problem. That is good. Were you able to identify if wrong choices were due to second guessing(not going with your gut feeling), you read the question incorrectly, or information you did not study enough.