Failing Nursing School

[SailorMoonx10]

It's my first semester of Nursing school for an accelerated BSN program (given that it's the summer we're a few weeks short) but I just don't get why I'm doing horrible. I don't get what I'm doing wrong! I am putting in the hours studying but when it comes to the exam I just barely pass or fail them. Finals are around the corner and I just feel like I'm screwed. I keep trying different studying methods (making a chapter outline, reading the book, studying the PPTs) but nothing is working like I want it to. Can someone give me some advice? Maybe I need someone to verbally test me a few times before the exam? I understand most of the information but it's too much to store/retrieve. Please help! If there was a service that offered 2hr 1 on 1 tutoring point me in that direction because nothing is working I feel like a failure, and it'd just be horrible for me to fail out of the program.

[xxstarrynitesxx]

Have you talked with your professor or other students to get some advice from them? Have you also pinpointed what you are struggling with exactly or the type of question? You may find that you are also switching how you study a little too often for the class (or perhaps not found the method that works for you). EmpoweRN has a video about her struggles before and during nursing school, but she was able to find a method that brought up her "average" grades to the top, if not close to the top. Keep working hard! You can do it.

[Simplistic]

Do practice questions!!!

[caliotter3]

Consider transferring to a traditional BSN program where you might find the pace amenable to you fixing your study methods.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Accelerated programs are not for everyone.

[MrsPA]

Please, go to the faculty and ask for help ASAP!!! Talk to professors, to your advisor. They should be your first source of help. Accelerated programs are very demanding- in in most if you fail one class- you fail the program. You literally have days left to jump back on track. Again, talk to the faculty

[BriMarie95]

Practice questions and repetition helped me tremendously. I didn't start succeeding in nursing school until I started studying with people and discussing the information outloud. Study groups can get off task pretty quickly.. so put your phone away and truly commit to what you are doing. Nurselabs has a lot of great practice questions as well as the NCLEX-RN review book by Silvestri (Im actually selling me if you want it). Nursing school questions are different than previous tests youve taken up to this point. DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED!!! Stay positive. Positivity is so key during this time and for the remainder of your time in nursing school.

If you ever need anything feel free to message me. I know it can be tough. BUT I DID IT!! and so can YOU

[HopefulGradNurse, RN]

Most importantly are you just memorizing information or are you actually understanding it? I would talk to your instructors and ask for their advice and if you can't get things ironed out this semester or just barely make it, I would definitely consider switching to a traditional program. There's no need in suffering (even more) semester after semester only to possibly fail out towards the end. Hope things work out!

[mg121590]

I know the feelings and emotions and struggles you are going through all too well. I did several things when I felt I was putting all this effort into studying and it was not showing in my grades.

First, when you go through the power points or read the chapters, try to read a little bit before class so you have an idea of what the lecture is about. Then at the end of the day, go over the main topics. During the class I recorded the lectures. You have to get permission from the instructor first but I did it on my iphone. This helped me tremendously as I would listen to the lecture over again, take notes that I may have missed and started to notice key points the professor would stress because this would most definitely be a question on the test. Once you feel as though you have the content down start googling nclex style questions pertaining to what you will be tested on...like NCLEX questions for the endocrine system. A few days before the exam I would also google quizlet questions. Many students have posted flashcards and all sorts of questions on the site usually having a rationale to read next to the question. This will show you what you know vs what you need to study further.

Are you working a job while your in school? If so, I hate to say this, but you might need to cut back your hours. Nursing school is so hard, the NCLEX is a beast but the reward at the end will make it all worth it. Good luck and message me anytime with any questions.

[ireland_rose]

First of all, you are not a failure!

I graduated just a few months ago, so maybe I can help. Nursing exams/questions are very different than exams in other programs. The questions are critically thinking-based, which I'm sure you've already realized. It takes time to know how to answer these types of questions correctly. They are tricky. You may know the answer, but the question wants to know how you would apply the information that you've already memorized.

Like others have mentioned, the first step is talking to your professors/advisor about the issues you're having. Run the way that you're studying by them and see what advice they give you - they know the nursing program and how the tests are geared better than we do.

My advice would be to utilize as many practice questions as you can in prepping for your exams. You will get SO much better at answering critical thinking questions and I guarantee it will improve your test scores. To do this, buy NCLEX-prep books. They always have practice questions at the end that correlate with the nursing subject you're studying. This will help you - not only for your tests, but for prepping for the NCLEX as well! The best one I used is Saunders: Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN® Examination, 7e (Saunders Comprehensive Review for Nclex-Rn): 978