Need some encouragement... It could be over for me!!!

[CandyGyrl]

I've been doing really good in Nursing School, never struggled so far, not one time... I was probably a little too confident and we just started back last week. (MED SURG II) OK so I took the math dosage calculations test and I failed!! (missed by 1!!!) So I regrouped although I got knocked off my high horse a bit but I didn't feel too bad because over 1/2 the class had to retake it so I did. I went in took the test, finished first... not that it matters but It was like I knew what to do, I knew what I'd done wrong the first time, I'd just made a few DUMB mistakes and needless to say it only takes one dumb mistake... you know the rest. Well I was sure I'd passed and I missed it by 1 again!!! AND I was like the only one who has to retake it and this is THE last time or else.... you know the rest.

I am a wreck! I have to turn in all my paperwork like 2 days ago and I'm still trying to finish up my patho:typing, our first exam is tues and I have to retake my math exam thurs. I feel so crazy because I was so sure I had it and I just didn't! I have alot riding on this and I hate that I have to retake this exam under soooooooo much pressure and I'm so afraid I'll make another stupid mistake like I put the right answer in the area where you show your work i.e 37.5 mg/hr... but not in the final answer box i.e 37mg/hr forgetting the .5-- or calculating the drip rate by taking the mg x drop factor/60 min instead of the ML x drop/60. R u kidding me! I KNOW HOW TO DO THIS. I KNEW TO DO THIS. WHY DID I DO THAT?????!!!!!!! :banghead::banghead::banghead:What if I do that again? I called myself looking over the test 2-3 times after I finished and sometimes unfortunately that doesn't help because either A.) you see only what you want to see and still look over dumb mistakes like forgetting to put the unit gtt/min or B.) you 2nd guess yourself and erase the right answer and put the wrong one!

Please any advice before I go into this week uncertain of my future in nursing school?

[MissGwen]

I think that one of the best pieces of advice you have been given is to work the problems backward. I use to do that all time when doing math. From what I remember, it works!

I can so relate to test anxiety. In my last semester of undergrad, it took me over 4 hours to take my statistics final and we were even allowed to use our book! My brain went whacko! That was the one and only time I ever remember having test anxiety. My professor kept coming back to the classroom to see if I was finished, which only made things worse. So, I finally said to him, "Dr. XXX, I am really trying here and I am having a hard time. Please give me some space. Not being mean,but the interruptions throw me off even further than I already am. I am sorry it is taking me so long. I do not know what has happened. My brain is blank and I cannot think straight for some reason." I was freaking out!

I think Meriwhen gave you some good advice.

I wish you lots of luck. I do think it would be a good idea to meet with your instructor. I also think it would be a good idea to Google "test anxiety" so that you can learn some ways to cope with it.

:)

g

[suanna]

Get real. You failed the first time from lack of preparation, you failed the second time for lack of concentration. Passing meds is the most dangerous thing we are responsible for in the practice of nursing. These calculations should come to you like writing your own name. If not, you aren't ready to pass meds. Honestly- quit stressing. Most nursing math is basic fractions and simple conversions in some combination. I never could memorize equasions and plug in numbers- I just thought about what the question was asking and worked it through one step at a time. EVERYONE learned this stuff in 3rd or 4th grade. It is just the pressure that is making you nuts. Do it slow, do it right, and keep in mind you could do this math before you put on your first bra- you should be able to ge through it now.

[GeneralJinjur]

Do it slow, do it right, and keep in mind you could do this math before you put on your first bra- you should be able to ge through it now.

Lovely (and so true)! I think I'll place this quote on the cover of my notebook.

To the OP, good luck on your next test!

[BubbysMa]

First, CALM DOWN! You will be okay! I have failed a dosage exam myself, and no biggie. Sure i felt like poo, but I knew that I knew the information, but because I was so nervous and just wanting to get through it, I went blank. You will do fine the next time. You already know what you did wrong, so just think about it the next time you take the test. It won't be over for you unless you let it, so don't. You are in Med-Surg 2 for a reason....you aren't dumb.

[dabanks]

Just be patient and take ur time. U will be fine. Practice a lot of math problems. I went thru the same thing when I had to do med math.

[moncj66]

hehe, im in the same boat, failed my peds calculation by ALOT more than 1 point! so u shouldn't feel bad, we also needed a 80 to pass and I got a 50! But i did not study, but I plan to practicing math till I choke tommorrow to prepare for the retest on tuesday...KEEP UR HEAD UP!!

[CandyGyrl]

THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL of your words of advice and those of you who made me smell my poo too! I passed the exam 100%. I thought about the silly errors that I made and realized that they are really not that silly at all. This could have been someones life! So technically I should not get any wrong and if the errors are from mistakes like forgetting to write the correct # in the final answer column then shame on me.

I was very calm when I went in and this helped a ton! I went out the night before and unwound, came home and got some rest. Woke up an hour earlier than my usual wake up time just to practice the problems just the way I would do them on the test and I did not make one error. I thought to myself, this is the way it should be.

I went to school took the test, I employed most of the advice given to me in the postings and I did it. This has surely been a humbling experience (a very stressful one too). Pride cometh before a fall.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Congratulations!

Unfortunately, that won't be the last med calculation exam you'll be taking, but now you'll be better prepared for future ones :)