Should I retake Microbiology?

ponderingDNP · May 2

A counselor who recommended you fail a class should be reassigned to the community. Pass the course with a C if that's as good as it's going to get at this point. Then, retake it to improve your score. Nursing programs are very competitive. You'll need to compete for a slot with a student who got an A or even a B. Whatever your grade is, it will be reflected on the transcripts and will impact your GPA. Do your very best!

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · May 2

Pass it with the C. Spend your energy on upcoming courses, I got a C in Fundamentals of nursing. Ended up graduating Magna cum Laude. That looks good on a resume.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · May 2

Some nursing programs frown on # of withdrawn courses. Accept the grade , learn from any difficulty mastering information and use that to improve in other science and general courses.

Editorial Team / Admin · May 4

Do you require this course to get into nursing school? Or are you in a nursing program that requires you to pass? I would try my best to pass the course and not retake it. If the Microbiology course is required for you to get into nursing school, then try to retake it if you have a low grade.

I've had friends that are nurses that have failed Chemistry and have still been able to get into nursing school at highly rated colleges/universities in Canada, so I think getting a low grade is not a make it or break it situation. In the end of the day, C's get degrees, and it doesn't reflect how well of a nurse you are. If you're hoping to go into a Masters after graduating as a nurse, many Masters programs only look at the last 2 years of schooling, so you should be fine. Best of luck!

beachynurse, ASN, BSN · May 7

My nursing program required Micro, so my advice to you would be continue the class and do the best you can. If your school has grade forgiveness, retake the class and work for a higher grade. That counsellor that told you to fail, should not be in the position she is in. They should never be encouraging students to fail.

EmergentAnesthetics · May 8

For the love a god! A counselor telling a pupil to take an F...An F with any repeat grade will still lower your overall GPA in the long run. For example, if you're using NursingCas to apply to nursing programs (some will average both grades and the F will forever cloud your GPA) some will take the higher grade but why do that? If you decide to not complete the class, take a W instead. That said, a C will not end your potential career. I had two Ws and 1 C (chemistry 1) on my transcript.

beachynurse, ASN, BSN · May 8

EmergentAnesthetics said:

For the love a god! A counselor telling a pupil to take an F...An F with any repeat grade will still lower your overall GPA in the long run. For example, if you're using NursingCas to apply to nursing programs (some will average both grades and the F will forever cloud your GPA) some will take the higher grade but why do that? If you decide to not complete the class, take a W instead. That said, a C will not end your potential career. I had two Ws and 1 C (chemistry 1) on my transcript.

The date of withdrawal may make a difference. When I taught at the local community college, you had so much time in the class to withdraw "W" without penalty. After that date, you will get a "WF", which is withdrawal fail. The "W" will not count in your GPA, while the "WF" will count and affect your GPA.

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · May 10

An advisor suggested you just fail the class? I'm sorry but that's nuts! Do not just stop the coursework and fail. Very bad advice. A fail looks much worse than a C grade on any transcript even if you retake the class. Plus depending on school policy some will record the higher grade on a class retake, some will average the grade so even if you retake the class and get an A the fail might still average to the C grade you are already getting. If the actual class score is above the programs passing standard just take it, if it falls below the programs passing standard accept the current C but then retake the class. If you have to retake it going from a C to a higher grade looks much better than going from an F to a better grade.

londonflo · May 11

NRSKarenRN said:

Some nursing programs frown on # of withdrawn courses.

Often times there are those here who recommend to just withdraw (even with a W/F) and then retake. It was their MODUS OPERANDI or method of procedure when they were in school. . The thought is that completing the course will erase a "W" "WF".

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I recently spoke w/a counselor and she had told me to just fail the class and retake again in the fall semester but I am a bit skeptical.

Were you near the withdrawing date? How close were you to a C, what were previous test scores? You should have some grasp of it if you can pass.. I have had students come to me the week before finals asking for "extra credit work".

Do you have a science department to ask for help? A real "student success coach (not affiliated with the counseling advisor you saw" ) you tube videos, student workbook for your text, what grades are you getting for lab? Quizlets, study sessions with other students?

I am not trying to be mean but these posts about grade "fear" always happen in May and December. So you are not alone.

RDF-G, ASN · Jul 13

Pass it with a C. If you fail, it will affect your GPA and most programs require a certain GPA.