Sophomore Nursing Student - Delayed Graduation

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Hi everyone! This is my first time posting on here. I'm currently facing a huge dilemma which is starting to feel like the end of the world, and would really appreciate any help I can get!

After taking one of my prerequisite courses (Anatomy & Physiology) last semester, I unfortunately did not pass with the minimum grade needed to progress in my nursing classes. Therefore, I can only progress once i retake and pass the course again. Basically, with all technicalities aside, I'm going to be graduating with a bsn a year later than anticipated. And this year i will have a lot more free time because i wont be taking my nursing classes, I'll only be enrolled in pre-reqs and gen-eds.

How would you guys recommend I spend my time these next two semesters? I believe externships are not possible because they require at least one clinical rotation which i wont have. I would love to use any free time I have gaining some experience in a hospital setting, but am not sure what kind of work I can do with the little experience I already have? And worst case scenerio is transferring into a nursing program at the start of my junior year. However, I'm not sure if thats possible with the way the standard bsn nursing programs are set up.

Any ideas would be really appreciated. Thank you!!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Since you already failed a mandatory course perhaps your free time might be best served studying your current courses and aiming for A's and B's? All of those mandatory prerequisite courses build foundation of knowledge necessary to be successful in nursing clinical and theory. A strong content knowledge of A&P and micro helps the student nurse understand the pathophysiology of various diseases and medical conditions. Biology, physiology, microbiology, mathematics and chemistry build the knowledge base to be successful with pharmacology. Psychology, writing, sociology, and public speaking strengthen the skills needed to interview patients and interact with patients, families, colleagues, nurses, physicians and allied health personnel. Developmental psychology and sociology build the knowledge of growth and development and the stages of aging.

You already stumbled once. Learn from this. Don't put the horse before the cart. Use this "free time" wisely to strengthen your content and base of knowledge to increase your potential for success as you move toward entry in the nursing school.

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

I love the previous posters comment. Use this time to really learn and understand the content of the course you just failed. These courses arent just fillers for your nursing degree. They are important. Especially A/P. Use this time to do really well in that course and your other pre reqs. Maybe getting more of the pre req and co req courses out of the way will make it easier for you to really focus when you get into the real nursing program that includes clinicals.

If you absolutely must do something outside of school, then take a CNA course. They are relatively cheap and then you can work part time as an aide will in school. Even if you don't need the money, the experience will work in your favor when trying to get your first RN job. It will also help with comfort around patients and mastering basic care so you can really focus on your learning in clinical.

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Thanks so much for the replies! You're absolutely right, I should focus primarily on fixing my gpa and mastering my knowledge on the pre req courses.

Do you know if its possible to take a CNA course during the academic year while I'm still at school?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

It's possible but likely you can challenge the state test once you finish your first nursing fundamentals class rather than pay $500-$1500 for a CNA class

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I say volunteer! But only after you've begun your classes and are doing well. On all the scholarship applications I've read, they ask about volunteer experience. You might even make some connections in a hospital volunteering plus it will be easier on you than taking a CNA class (your first semester of nursing is going to be mostly CNA anyway).

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