[FutureNOVARN]

I am sorry to hear about your first test. I hope you had better luck today.

I am not in the nursing program and am curious how you, and everyone else in the nursing program, would compare the nursing classes to the pre-reqs (such as NAS 161, 162) The reason I ask is because I worry about experiencing what you are experiencing, it seems like it can happen to anyone with any GPA. My NAS 161 teacher and now my NAS 162 teacher have both given the class a huge lecture after the first test about how nursing isn't for everyone and if you get a bad grade on your tests how you better pull it together and if you don't do better throughout the term they suggest you pick a new goal. I thought it was both true and harsh. It wasn't hard for me to hear these lectures though because I get really good grades but it seems as though NUR classes are nothing like the pre-reqs and that even if you are a 4.0 student, you can easily fail nursing school based simply on the fact that the nursing tests are so different. It scares me when I hear that all the answers are right but one answer is more right than the others.

[flames9]

In nursing exams--more so 2nd semester and on--- the answer is not always clear, as you have to put a few equations together--or as they say--Critical thinking!! Some questions, it is very clear what the correct answer is, some it comes down to maybe 2 or 3 choices, lot of times their is a key word that sets the correct answer apart. As well ensure you do ALL of the reading, some students don't, they rely only on the powerpoint slides. Some profs put all the info on them, but majority do not, they should only be used as a reference!
to sum thing sup----I found in the non-nursing classes, the questions and answers were a lot more straight forward, in the nursing classes, not so much,one has to know a few more pieces of the puzzle to come up with the answer. As well one has to keep up with the reading.

[alem992]

Do the NCLEX review questions, go out and buy saunders today! Because really at the end of the semester, it all comes down to those test scores. Nothing else really matters. Not the skills or anything you did in clinical. And trust me I have seen my fair share of people being dropped from the program for being a 0.5 or 1 point away from that 78.

[flames9]

Not sure if its before the midterm or after, but if your mark is 80 or below you will get a letter from the school. Not sure what it states, probably something along the lines that your close to failing so time to pick it up a notch,lol I'm sure it is sent out prior to Oct 31--last day to withdraw without grade penalty. I do know of a handful of students that have received the letter, and are still in the program. Believe its more of a reminder of what ur avg is, and what the passing requirement is.

[Bpeaceful2All]

Thank you all for your encouragement and advice. I do not know yet how I did on the 2nd test, but I felt more confident in selecting my answers. I fine tuned my studying for my "learning syle", participated with a study group, bought the workbook that goes with the text book, and used a NCLEX review and rationalle book. I get my test results next Monday. Again thank you all for the advice and encouragement.

[Bpeaceful2All]

Originally Posted by FutureNOVARN

I am sorry to hear about your first test. I hope you had better luck today.

I am not in the nursing program and am curious how you, and everyone else in the nursing program, would compare the nursing classes to the pre-reqs (such as NAS 161, 162) The reason I ask is because I worry about experiencing what you are experiencing, it seems like it can happen to anyone with any GPA. My NAS 161 teacher and now my NAS 162 teacher have both given the class a huge lecture after the first test about how nursing isn't for everyone and if you get a bad grade on your tests how you better pull it together and if you don't do better throughout the term they suggest you pick a new goal. I thought it was both true and harsh. It wasn't hard for me to hear these lectures though because I get really good grades but it seems as though NUR classes are nothing like the pre-reqs and that even if you are a 4.0 student, you can easily fail nursing school based simply on the fact that the nursing tests are so different. It scares me when I hear that all the answers are right but one answer is more right than the others.

You will hear many nursing students and faculty say that the pre-req are nothing like nursing courses and it is true. Nursing is completely different from all the classes I have ever taken. I'm 38 yrs old with a prior bachelors degree and career training certificates. I am like many students, I have a 3.95 GPA (prior to entering nursing program) Nursing courses and test teach and require you to apply what you have learned toward a patient setting using the nursing process. Critical thinking! The tests are multiple choice with 4 really good possible answers which you narrow down to 2 really really good answers, but only one best answer for the patient senerio you are given in the test question. Several students in this thread mentioned learning how to take the tests by using NCLEX review books. Very true and again Thank you! The NCLEX review and rationalle books help you review what you learn and need to know, give example test questions, and explains why the answers are right and wrong and which application of the nursing process the question was testing. I hope this makes sense.

[FutureNOVARN]

Originally Posted by Bpeaceful2All

Thank you all for your encouragement and advice. I do not know yet how I did on the 2nd test, but I felt more confident in selecting my answers. I fine tuned my studying for my "learning syle", participated with a study group, bought the workbook that goes with the text book, and used a NCLEX review and rationalle book. I get my test results next Monday. Again thank you all for the advice and encouragement.

Good for you, I am anxious to hear how you did! Like Flames said, he has known of people who got the letter and are still in the program, that should be encouraging. I am disappointed that they confronted you for their stats rather than to reach out and help/guide you.

[Bpeaceful2All]

I responded to a post and realized I stressed the same thing Flames did, I should have said, refer to posts by Flames9, lol. Flames, thanks again for being so helpful!

[flames9]

There seems to always be a lot of students hovering around that 80% range, and many do pass. The final for us last year in each semester was worth 30%, this yr (2nd yr) its worth 40%, so that can be a good or bad thing,lol

[Bpeaceful2All]

Hey everyone, my 2nd test was much better. I got an 88 The average for the test is 86.