can't go to clinicals

nurse0977 · Oct 15, 2003

In our school, we get three attempts at the medication calculation test. They get shorter and easier each time, and by the third time there is basically someone sitting beside you helping you. They want you to get a 100%, because there is no room for medication errors, but they are realistic in knowing that not every student is successful their first time.

Hang in there--- I didn't pass one of my med tests the first time. Thanks goodness I got another shot at it.

Is there anyone you could talk to about it? There has got to be someone else in your shoes. I think it is worth a shot to see if anything can be done. It seems ridiculous they make you wait until March!

:eek:

FutureNurse2005 · Oct 15, 2003

I'm so sorry!

What about volunteering? Or talking to an instructor to take extra math lessons?

I hope you can get something worked out! Keep us updated!

Jennerizer, ASN, RN · Oct 15, 2003

How many times have you taken the test? At our school, you get 3 tries....if you don't pass, you have to leave the nursing program completely.

Mandylpn · Oct 15, 2003

HI: Thanks to all those that replied. We are allowed two attempts, the test is approximately 10 to 15 problems, you have to get 80%. I got three wrong on the retake, allowed to have two wrong. I have been up and down and all around that school, trying to get someone to help me, the director was rude, would not look at my transcript, the dean was supposed to get back to me (yeah, right). The thing that angers me is that there are slackers in my nursing classes (who don't come to class, show up late), that barely passed the two finals we had yesterday, and they are going to clinicals because they got one less wrong on the math test than me. I mean they were at the borderline of pass or fail with the nursing courses. I am an A/B student. I am applying for a part time job today to fill my time. I have had four math classes thus far so I know what I am doing, and I get test anxiety which bombs me, but no excuse I know. I think it is a done deal. thank you all for your kindness, this is so hard to take. I don't want to give up yet, just hard to wait. :crying2:

Mandylpn · Oct 15, 2003

I find it interesting that a couple of you get three attempts to pass at your school, that is pretty decent. :rolleyes: you know, I think they should want the students to succeed. We are allowed three trys on each clinical skill, why not the math?

SJSU_Mami · Oct 15, 2003

At my school you get two chances to pass the dosage exam.. fail both and you must find a new major..

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Oct 15, 2003

We had one "practice" math exam, and then the actual test, and we didn't get "overs"......the reasoning was, each miscalculation was a med error, and if we were to do this in real life, we could kill somebody! Needless to say, we all made sure we passed.

Mandylpn · Oct 16, 2003

I think a person who made two errors on the test (instead of three like me) still has a chance of giving someone an incorrect dose, so what I am thinking is maybe they should demand 100% to pass.

Nurse-o-Matic · Nov 14, 2003

My school allows two attempts to pass the drug calc exams. There are 25 problems and a student must score at least 80%. If not, the student is not allowed to go to clinicals. We also take the calc exams every semester.

It's sad that you are not given a second attempt to take the test. Are you prepped prior to the exam to know what to expect and review?

:rotfl: