RN student-I need a word of Hope

[Scatty]

I'm in an ADN-RN program, second semester. Though I've always done well on tests before, I'm now failing Med-Surg. I've taken 3 tests (five to go before end of semester). I missed passing by 8 points on the first test, two points on the second test, and 10 points on the third.
I have to get at least an 85 on subsequent exams in order to pass this course and advance with my class.
I'm discouraged; very.
This morning I'm meeting with a woman who helps students with studying, test anxiety, etc. This may help but I need something else....Hope....like I said in the thread.
I want to hear that there are others out there who were failing and managed to pull it all together and pass. I suppose I need confirmation or something to "tell" me, or "reassure" me that my brain cells haven't died and that I'm not the first person to do so badly.....and that passing CAN be accomplished. My morale and confidence is at an all time low. Trust me, I'm not trying to sound whiney (I'm really not!) but admittedly I'm feeling weak and if there's someone out there who recognizes my post, has experienced it or seen others go through it and managed to prevail, I want and need to hear it.

[imported_Aaron C.]

been there...every subject, every test, every course, every year . I tend to procrastinate, therefore, rarely studied, did homework, etc. so I often times found myself playing catch up. I do my best when there is pressure.

You can do it. Just sit down and get to work. Take it one chapter at a time, one page at a time, and don't move to the next until you are good with the one you are on.

Also, talk to your instructor. Ask if you can do some extra credit work or earn some bonus points. It NEVER hurts to ask. It will show that you are concerned and that you are willing to do what it takes.

Plus, if you ask now, it will have more of an impact than if you ask with one week left.

Worst case scenario, it may help if you are a point short, and the instructor might just give you that little...ahem....bump.

Don't depend on it though. Improve your scores from here on out, and you'll do fine.

If you're taking multiple choice tests, look at it this way. You've already got a 1 in 4 chance to get it right. You can almost always rule out one answer. Now you have a one in 3 chance to get it right. Let's say you KNOW half of them. You've already got 50% on the test. You have a 1 in 3 on the rest of them. That's roughly 16%. So now your score is 66%.

You have a 66 and you still have another 25% of the questions left. If you get 25% of those right, you have a 73. 73% isn't bad for only knowing 50% of the answers....

Go in knowing 70% of them and you're GOLDEN!!!!

(how's that for positive spin!!!)

[Smurfetjuz4u]

Being an RN student myself... I can't help but empathize with your current dilemma. But frankly there are only a couple of words that you should keep in your heart...

1. Enjoy what you are doing -- with this in mind you would hardly feel the burden of reviewing for your exams. Am not an A-1 student in my class. However, between the alternate daily exams that I used to get from my Anatomy and Health Care teachers, I have learned to enjoy and appreciate what I am doing right now.

2. Manage your time VERY WELL-- Med Surg is I think one of the most difficult subjects we have. But believe me when I tell you, a little glimpse on your book days before your lecture on the actual topic can actually give you the edge. It'll be easy for you to comprehend what is to be discussed not to mention you had prepared for the big day. This is better than cramming.

3. Lastly, find a STUDY GROUP-- the difference between having peers and having a STUDY GROUP who becomes your peers is that you get to have both worlds: having friends you enjoy being with and having someone who can motivate you to do better.


Well, I guess its not too short after all. lol. But trust me... it wouldn't be the end of the world. It'll never be too late. :-)

Thess

[cassioo]

What worked best for me was getting a NCLEX review book and reading the chapters that went along with what we were studing. Luckily I have a good memory so if I heard it in lecture I'd remember it and not have to do much reading (I'd just sit and hold the book anyway and watch TV) But during lecture read along and highlight the high points. Study in intervals 15-30 minutes then a little break then again 15 minutes and a break. If you try to just read the chapter(s) you remember the 1st thing you read and the last but not the middle stuff.
Another thing on the multiple test questions almost always pick the answer that has something to do with assessment or looking for more information.

[mizkidmas]

I hear you loud and clear!!! I went right from high school to nursing school (ADN) with my guidance counselor telling me "you'll never get accecpted to the program, the school mainly accecpts LPN's". So I was going into it with negative feedback and doubts. I was not big on studying and reading. But luckily I had a good memory and nursing came very natural for me. Keep on plugging away at your studies with peers and small groups...they will keep you motivated.
The NCLEX review book was also a biggie. Get yourself a copy and do practice questions. Keep the faith. If you love the profession and want to be a nurse, you can do it and will succeed. Best of luck to you!

[mercynurse]

I had an instructor 3 times in school....she told me she didn't know why I was in school, I'd never be a good nurse, my grades werten't up to par...etc. I passed boards the first time (I'm not a good test taker), and have loved nursing for 27 years! I hope to finish my NP by next year....you have to keep at it....but if you want it bad enough....you will do it, I did!! Best of luck

[Scatty]

Thank you all for your replies! I've spent the last few days studying, walking with a book in my hand and reciting out loud. I met with some fellow students last night and we took turns calling out questions to each other from NCLEX-RN review books. I feel if I could only get the test-taking (those critical thinking questions) down pat I'd be okay. It's like I go in there expecting a trick question and end up overlooking the most obvious question. I suppose if you expect something to be hard, it WILL be hard, right? Hoping my brain is in top-notch working condition for this upcoming Monday when I will have my fourth exam. I'd so like to do well on it. Would boost my confidence immensely.
Again, thanks to all of you for the pep talk and the tips!

[Anonymous]

One thing that works for me is to learn stuff a night and then sleep on it.. Seems to help you retain the subject matter...Can't hurt to try it..

WR,,, three commas for Becca


MereKat motto:

Respect the Elders, Teach the Young, Cooperate with Family, Play when you can, Work when you should, Rest in between, Share you Affection, Voice your Feelings, Leave your Mark.

[edrn4hire]

Good luck on Monday, kiddo. Keep with the study group, get plenty of rest on Sunday night, and take a DEEP breath before the test. I'm an awful test-taker as well...passed my boards the first time, and 20 years later am still in nursing!! I've got my fingers crossed for you!

[Scatty]

Welllll, thought I'd update y'all.
I had that test on Monday, made myself stay calm and did my dangdest to pick out the keywords and the stem of the question. My goal, in order to pass Med-Surg, was to get an 85 for each subsequent exam. Well, this was #4....still 4 more to go and then the final. I missed that goal by 7 points. Again, I failed.
Okay, so Thursday was drop without academic penalty day. From Monday on I'd agonized over what to do, what to do.
I made the decision to stick it out, even if I ultimately fail. I feel if I dropped the class I would always wonder "but suppose....?"....The way I look at it; if I fail at least I'll know I tried. I did a calculation of my current exam scores just to see if it were possible. Well, yeah, it's possibly (not probable considering my obviously hampered critical thinking exam skills) but possible.
I'm admittedly confused as to how to correct the problem. I practice with the NCLEX style questions in the back of my workbook, the ones in my textbook, the ones in my Saunders NCLEX-RN review book, the ones in my Lippincott's Review Series: Medical Surgical Nursing book, etc. I do well in them! Even the instructor says she feels I really DO know this stuff (and I have no problems in clinicals)....She and I both just don't know how to fix my test taking disabilities regarding the exam she gives us.
I just don't know how I can do so well on those others and do so horridly in the classroom and it's like I always get so close, so terribly close,and still fail.