Am I capable of passing?

j464335 · Feb 23, 2011

You need to make sure you have enough tests left in the semester to maintain a passing gpa...

It is possible to pass you nur classes and live through it.. but it is hard!

Goodluck!

deschutes · Feb 23, 2011

Nursing courses are different than prerequiste courses. Ask your classmates to help form a study group. Buy or borrow a NCELX review book. Talk to your teachers, review the tests, see what you missed. You're smart enough to get this far, keep plugging.

NoviceRN10 · Feb 23, 2011

I agree with the first reply. It is okay to fail an exam or get a D, but it's not okay if all your grades are that low. I failed one of my first med-surge exams in my first semester of 4 and I thought I was done but I was able to get a solid B in that class by doing okay on the other exams and assignments.

lipstu · Feb 23, 2011

I have actually looked at the other things that will be factored into my grade, and it's not impossible for me to get a 70% or above, but it's just hard to stay positive after my first test grades. For Pharm I have 5 tests, which are each worth 20%. In HEHI I have 6 tests so those will end up being 15%, and then in Fundamentals my tests will be 20%. So if you just plug some random numbers in there you'll see that it is very possible for me to end up with a passing grade.

germanshep · Feb 23, 2011

Keep trying! Can you slow down next semester? This might help you from feeling so overwhelmed.

Here is what helped me:

1.I found going through the NCLEX books to learn how to take the application tests VERY useful even though I did not know the majority of the material when I started. I found after a while I could rule out 2 answers, then learn how to choose the right answer.

2. My professors were awful so I had to buy more books like "Med Surg Made Easy", "Fundamentals Made Easy", etc to break down the material to simpler, easier to understand. I also bought a few books what used mnemonics to remember the info-it REALLY helped.

3. I bought a pen to record lectures. I would record lectures and type my notes with my "short hand writing." Later that same day, I would go home, listen to the lecture again (somethings it was AWFUL) and type my notes. The more you hear the info-the better.

http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/smartpen/

4. I used the internet to look up a TON of information-Mayo Clinic and Google Health give the diagnosis, S/S, some treatments and some complications. They leave out the nursing actions.

5. One of my clinical instructors was awesome-I used her as a source for sooo much. Just make sure the material you hear in class, clinicals and labs is the same info (I missed a few questions on tests because this).

6. I found great fundamental videos on you tube. I think a Indiana University posted a few (???)

Would you consider a tutor?

The first semester is the most overwhelming. You can do it :)

lipstu · Feb 23, 2011

Wow, well it looks like you were kind of in the same situation as I am currently in. The nursing program I am in is a first year program, so basically I'm the guinea pig. 3 of my teachers are terrible, I'm talking literally reads the powerpoints word for word, so there's no teaching going on. Then in one of my classes I have a wonderful teacher who really has been the only inspiration in nursing school thus far, and she knows how to teach! Overall I'm basically having to teach myself everything, on top of the large amount of information that there is to learn. I definitely reach out to the internet to get information I need, and plan on continuing that strategy. I used to record my A&P lectures so I think I will start that back up again. I mean what's it going to hurt? I'm to the point where I'll try anything to find a solution that works. I do the same thing on tests, where I narrow them down to 2 answers, and then of course with my luck I guess the wrong one! So frustrating, because it's like I know the information, but for some reason the tests just get me all tangled up. I already feel so much better about everything from only a few short posts so thank you so much for taking the time to give your insight. It means a LOT :)

Miller86 · Feb 23, 2011

These are some online books that have quizzes you could practice with!

Study hard, you will do great. Stay motivated and work hard to achieve your goals.

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0070272468/student_view0/chapter1/chapter_overview.html

http://www.iteachbio.com/Anatomy-Physiology/anat-phys.html

http://wps.aw.com/bc_martini_eap_5/105/27045/6923732.cw/index.html

im_melba · Feb 23, 2011

i graduated from nursing school last may and got my bsn. after the very first week of nursing school, i wanted to quit. i was miserable and freaking out. i thought i was out of my mind for wanting to pursue this career. The teachers talked about the course syllabus and i was overwhelmed with all the material we had to cover. I thought that fundamentals would be pretty common sense, nope, got a C on my first test. major wake up call!

Like you, i was a good student. straigt A's in high school, 3.8 gpa in my first two years of college where i did my pre reqs, then i transferred to nursing school and felt i was way in over my head. so how did i deal? well, even though i wanted to quit, i knew i wasnt a quitter and i strongly believe what doesnt kill u only makes u stronger. so my tips for you would be to read the text. im sorry to hear that your the very first cohort for ur nursing program, that must be tough as there are lots of kinks to work out, but read the text. im sure the professor gives you the pages that correlates to what the subject the powerpoints are covering. read them preferably before class so u have some general idea, but if u donot have time, then read it afterwards. what i like to do is during class, i have a printout of the powerpoints right in front of me and i write down what the teacher is saying. then after class, i get out my three subject note book and re-write everything word for word to reinforce learning by reviewing the material again and having to write it down again. while writing in my notebook, i have my text book handy and read anything that pertains to the subject and then add additional notes from the book to my notebook to further enhance my learning. this is the biggest tip i can give and this is what helps me b/c i learn best thru repition. I am happy to say that after a rocky start in nursing school, i graduated with cum laude honors... and you can too!

best of luck!

MrWarmHearted · Feb 23, 2011

You should have a one on one with your professors and discuss how you can better prepare for their exams (perhaps you have spent quality time studying - just focusing on the wrong topics)

xluescluesx · Feb 23, 2011

I agree with the post above, you should reach out to your professors. They really appreciate when a student shows initiative and concern. I have had many professors who seem intimidating in class but are very friendly in their office. I am not in nursing school yet (I start in a couple months...eeek!), but in my experience (I was a biology undergrad) the first exam is always the toughest because you don't know the teacher's testing style yet. You'll get the hang of it.