Absolutely Floored

Achoo!, LPN · Nov 13, 2006

I guess wait and see what you got wrong, and see if there is a common theme, such as prioritizing, making outcomes, ABC's etc.

You are doing really well, so this is just a little bump in the road. Hang in there and don't let it get you nervous for the next exam.

RN007 · Nov 14, 2006

I remember my first fundamentals exam had a lot of factual questions, like what does your state board do, who accredits hospitals, who is Florence N., etc. The second exam starting incorporating some critical thinking, which requires getting used to. A very good friend of mine, who is Filipino with a language disadvantage, made a 90 on her first exam, in the 70s on the second and said, "It's the critical thinking that is so hard for me." Good luck. Because you did so well on the first exam, you've got quite a buffer and time to get the grade up. Hang in there!

adnstudent2007 · Nov 14, 2006

Has your instructor gone over the answers with the class? Do you know which questions you got wrong and why? The reason I'm asking is that it does seem odd that so many would drop their grade so much. If she hasn't or doesn't plan to, maybe you could ask her to go over it with you during office hours. If alot of A students suddenly have C's perhaps there was a mechanical grading error involved.

jov · Nov 14, 2006

I find some instructors can swing wildly on the difficulty of their exams. You will get the best grades in the classes where you can "think" the way the instructor does, but there are a few that just throw you. If the class average dropped, I would guess there were two factors:

1) people are tired of studying and slacked off (like you did LOL)

2) the test was harder than usual.

If you are studying hard and learning the material, the sooner you let go of the grade, the more you will enjoy nursing school. JMHO.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Nov 14, 2006

BOTH OF THE ABOVE!!! Tests get harder and sometimes you just don't retain what the instructors are looking for. Always remember to eliminate answers that don't make sense or answer the questions, doesn't hurt if you slip the prof a 20.....

kattunge · Nov 14, 2006

Thanks for the replies, guys. :) Seems there's going to be a test review...that I'm going to make sure I attend. Hopefully that'll shed some light on things.

Jov, trust me, I don't ever slack off. lol I get made fun of by my classmates for studying so much! Even on my "slacking" days, I still study an extra 4 hours outside of class...and that's a very light day. ;-) hehe

WDWpixieRN, RN · Nov 14, 2006

I commend your study time!! I'm afraid I have a hard time sitting for an hour with these books on some days and I have allowed myself a weekend off here and there after a test!!

My second test grade was barely passing, too....I don't know if I slacked after that first test, or if it was a harder test. I did better than the class average -- but just barely as there were many D's and F's....

I have since recovered very nicely, so I wouldn't get too down at this point. Go to the reviews which are VERY helpful so you'll perhaps get a better understanding of what happened....and Good Luck!!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Nov 14, 2006

if you haven't read any of the posts where i've posted these links then i'll list them again for you. most of the time students have the most problems with application type questions. they require critical thinking that involves putting together facts and utilitizing the nursing process, delegation and prioritizing. a lot depends on where you are in learning the nursing process as well. please do some examination of the questions you got wrong on the test to find out where you made your errors in choosing incorrect answers. get private office time with an instructor if you have to to help you with this. read the information on these links:

http://go.dbcc.edu/hhps/nursing/study_skills.html - study skills for the nursing student from daytona beach community college nursing department with some good advice.

http://go.dbcc.edu/hhps/nursing/test_taking_skills.html - test taking skills also from daytona beach community college nursing department. a couple of sample questions and how to choose the correct answer for these application type questions.

http://www.efn.org/~nurses/ - this is a website maintained by the nursing students at lane community college in eugene, oregon. for study and learning tips specific to nursing students click on "tips for learning" at the left side of this home page.

https://allnurses.com/forums/1909043-post26.html - how to answer application type questions part of this thread https://allnurses.com/forums/f50/nursing-101-question-how-would-you-answer-187954.html

https://allnurses.com/forums/f50/right-way-study-188919.html - right way to study?

bigbadbluesdaddy · Nov 14, 2006

It may be you had a bad day, I remember one unit that took out our entire class. It was the endocrine system, After extensive review, we all did much better. Could be you didn't have the grasp on it you thought you did. The fact you care and are worried is a good sign.

Now 12 years as an LPN later, I'm still proud of my 3.77 gpa, I would say grades and school are important, but being able to be part of the team you are on when you hit the floor is even more critical, Learn all you can, and perform, too.

You are working hard and must be a bit fried, Take a deep breath, You will be more aware next test and will work this out. Hang In there.

Good Luck to you.