Struggling with Micro and Statistics: Do I have a chance at being a nurse?

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Dear Struggling in Statistics,

Microbiology and Statistics are not indicators of being a good nurse. They are pre-requisites intended to form a base of knowledge designed to help you in nursing school.

Even students who always did well in high school can hit the wall when it comes to nursing pre-requisites. Why makes pre-reqs like these so hard?

it can be the sheer volume of facts to be learned and flat out memorized. Micro is a lot of memorization, there's no way around it. Try flash cards. Don't leave off studying until the last minute.

My nemesis was Organic Chemistry. I struggled and felt like a failure because before I had always breezed through any subject. Many nights I woke up dreaming about equations (nightmares). To say it was a challenge was putting it mildly, but I pushed through and did well in the end.

Pre-reqs force you to learn how to study with more focus and intensity than you've ever needed before. But that's good, because you will need these study skills when you get into the nursing program.

These courses also serve to weed out the less determined. While neither Stats nor Micro nor Chem per se are indicators of being a good nurse, determination is an indicator of making it through nursing school.

What say student nurses? Leave your comments.

Visit the Student Forum here for study tips and encouragement from other students. We're rooting for you!

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

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I needed to hear this today. I managed an A in Statistics.... But it was not easy for me. I'm taking microbiology now, and it's difficult. I'm not "struggling" but it definitely makes me question if I'm ready for nursing school :(

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.
I needed to hear this today. I managed an A in Statistics.... But it was not easy for me. I'm taking microbiology now, and it's difficult. I'm not "struggling" but it definitely makes me question if I'm ready for nursing school :(

Could it be you're a little hard on yourself? Keep going, it sounds like you are doing fine :)

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Could it be you're a little hard on yourself? Keep going, it sounds like you are doing fine :)

I am a little hard on myself sometimes. I have a very type A personality. I'm going to try and keep pushing through, one set of flashcards at a time ;)

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I did horribly in stats but am doing just fine in nursing school. Don't get discouraged by that!

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I too needed to read this. I am currently in micro for the summer term. I would say I am a pretty decent student but I am STRUGGLING. I need to remember to not get discouraged and to study study study!!

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I needed to hear this today. I managed an A in Statistics.... But it was not easy for me. I'm taking microbiology now, and it's difficult. I'm not "struggling" but it definitely makes me question if I'm ready for nursing school :(

I definitely felt the same way during these pre req's. I felt like my performance was under a microscope and what made it especially hard was that all my efforts were funneled into this far off abstract idea. It's weird to have your end all, especially when asked by others, "what are you in school for?", to be summed up by having to say , "I'm applying to nursing school." It doesn't sound or feel definite, legitimate, or personally validating. Its like being in limbo that's kinda like a hell because you're working harder than you ever had. Just know that you're not alone and that what you're doing is worth it because it's FOR YOU. Allow yourself to feel frustrated and scared and sad sometimes but know that it's temporary. Also know that what you're doing is the necessary preparatory "grooming" ,so to speak, for the sometimes gruelling parts of nursing school. Once you're in a program you'll be glad you went through this hardship because you'll know how and what to study. Good luck.

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I too needed to read this. I am currently in micro for the summer term. I would say I am a pretty decent student but I am STRUGGLING. I need to remember to not get discouraged and to study study study!!

You can do it!

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I definitely felt the same way during these pre req's. I felt like my performance was under a microscope and what made it especially hard was that all my efforts were funneled into this far off abstract idea. It's weird to have your end all especially when asked by others, "what are you in school for?", to be summed up by having to say , "I'm applying to nursing school." It doesn't sound or feel definite, legitimate, or personally validating. Its like being in limbo that's kinda like a hell because you're working harder than you ever had. Just know that you're not alone and that what you're doing is worth it because it's FOR YOU. Allow yourself to feel frustrated and scared and sad sometimes but know that it's temporary. Also know that what you're doing is the necessary preparatory "grooming" ,so to speak, for the sometimes gruelling parts of nursing school. Once you're in a program you'll be glad you went through this hardship because you'll know how and what to study. Good luck.[/quote']

Be put it any better :)

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Be put it any better :)

Meant to say- you couldn't have put it any better :)

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Definitely check to see if your school offers peer tutoring. I worked as a peer tutor as I took my prerequisites, because my school offered it free of charge. If your school doesn't offer tutoring, try forming a study group with someone who DOES NOT have a solid grade in the class. I've found that if you form a study group with "the smart kids" then they don't have the same motivation as you and tend not to be as dedicated to the study group. Each person take a topic and "teach" it to the others. If you can teach it to someone else, you learn it REALLY well yourself! And if you have questions, your study group is right there to help you puzzle them out together!

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Definitely check to see if your school offers peer tutoring. I worked as a peer tutor as I took my prerequisites, because my school offered it free of charge. If your school doesn't offer tutoring, try forming a study group with someone who DOES NOT have a solid grade in the class. I've found that if you form a study group with "the smart kids" then they don't have the same motivation as you and tend not to be as dedicated to the study group. Each person take a topic and "teach" it to the others. If you can teach it to someone else, you learn it REALLY well yourself! And if you have questions, your study group is right there to help you puzzle them out together!

I agree, teaching or tutoring those in your class who are struggling (worse than you, Ha ha) is a great way to solidify the knowledge in your own mind. Go out of your way to form a group. If you find that there are people that come up to you after class and ask you stuff, don't be afraid to assume the role of tutor. Offer to help them. You'll find you become invested in learning the material because you're responsible for someone else. And if the situation arises where you don't know something, or how to answer a question, be an advocate for your classmate (and yourself) and go to the professor or another source to find the answers.

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