Thinking about switching majors. So discouraged.

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I'm in the process of doing pre-reqs for nursing and I've always wanted to do it. Microbiology is making me feel so discouraged and my heart isn't in it anymore. I know I've always wanted to work with children (pediatric nurse), but now I'm thinking elementary school teacher. I'm so bummed right now, but maybe nursing just isn't for me. I study all the time and understand every concept and in labs I get A's on the tests.

I got my first lecture test back today and I got a C. The test wasn't on the handout he told us to study, but on hypothetical questions about patients. He never gave us sample questions like that, but he said nursing school is like that. Not everything you study will be asked and stuff you don't know will be asked. If that's how it is I don't think I want to do it. :o

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It's just your first test... I mean now that you know tests in this class will be in this format, you will be more prepared next time.

Don't give up!!

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Specializes in DOU.

I think of microbiology as a weed-out course. I hated it, but it made me work hard, which is what is needed for the nursing programs. Really, the whole process is like an extended version of boot camp. You just have to get through it all.

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Pinky,

Don't give up!! It is your first test and there will be more. You can discuss with the teacher what areas you need to focus on and maybe get a study group together. When I was in Physiology, the average test score on the first test was a D. Many people got discouraged and dropped and those who stuck with it pressed the teacher to teach them what they should concentrate on. By the end of the class half the class had dropped, but of those that remained a large percentage ended up getting an A in the class. I think that first test gives the student some time to work out a study strategy, and get a chance to know the teacher's test style. It sounds like you rock the labs. I just started nursing school and I love it. I am so glad I stuck with it and pushed through all the difficult prerequisites. You can do it.

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

Try to keep from getting discouraged. After all, you aren't studying to be a microbiologist. You're just taking a microbiology class, just once, to be a nurse.

I know it can get frustrating, though. In one of my science classes, the class average on our last exam was 66%. And the professor refuses to curve. Ouch, ouch, ouch.

Hang in there and just do what you need to do to get the grade you need.

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dont let one class get you down!

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My advice would be to stick out this class, then decide. If you drop now you will always have the what if's....... Maybe volunteer at a local hospital and see if nursing still feels right. Either way, don't give up just yet! Good luck.

Chantel

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I know micro can be difficult. I didn't do nearly as well on my first exam as I'd hoped, and I'm going to have to kick some serious butt to get an A in the class now because of it. I had the "maybe I'm not cut out for this" thoughts, too. I seriously considered dropping. Once I calmed down, I realized that this really is what I want to do, so I'm going to study hard and do as well as I can. Talk with your professor and see what s/he recommends to help you learn the material. Talk with advising about a tutor. Talk with other students in your class and see if you can set up a study group. You CAN do it! We'll cheer you on along the way. :D

Tiffany

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Specializes in Home Health, Geriatrics.

I remember my micro class from years ago. It was a three hour long class and the professor had a monotone voice. It's a miracle I passed it. I can't remember half of what I did in that class. Don't give up, though. We can get through anything when you know there is an end point. When I was in my micro class, I would rather have had root canal without anesthesia than sit there, but I did it. You can too!

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Just think of micro as a bump in the road...to get down the road towards your goal, you'll just need to hold on tight and ride over it. Also, the first tests are usually the worst because you've no idea of how it will be formatted. Now that, that is out of the way...you'll know how to progress throughout the course.

Don't give up!

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Please, please stick it out. I gave up on nursing last year out of frustration of all the hoops I'd have to jump through to get back into school after a very long absence. That coupled with the stress of knowing I'd have to pull near perfect grades was enough to send me running to the K-12 Teacher arena. My heart wasn't in it, though, so I finally decided to just take my lumps and reapply to the school that stressed me out so badly in the first place. The bad thing is that I've waisted a year. You are on the right track. Stick with it and you'll do great. This is a rough patch, but you can make it through. Anyway, I may need someone to coach me through Microbiology when I get there so I'll need you to return the sympathetic ear...

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Wow, going through this thread has really helped me, I got a 38 on my first Test, and the class average was 45, I was also thinking of throwing in the towel and go running towards Teacher Degree, but then I remembered how much I love healthcare, and now I have decided to kick some serious butt and pass this class, if I can do it with 3 kids, 1 who is on the autism spectrum (My Champion and hero) Then we can all do it. Let's do this girls and show those professors we can rock Micro. :smokin::cool:

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