Another failing nursing student :(

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Oct 2, 2013

A few questions:

How are you studying? What changes have you made in your study habits from the previous semester? What is your learning style?

One of the main reasons that students have a hard time succeeding or struggle in nursing school is the NCLEX-type questions, and how to study the material.

The approach to nursing school is a critical thinking/application approach. The material is presented in a way that relies on the nursing process and four tenets of the NCLEX: 1. Safe, effective care; 2. Health Promotion; 3. Psychological Integrity; and 4. Physical Integrity.

The tenets are each a part of the nursing process; so the approach is to CRITICALLY THINK like a nurse. Each question is ASKING you specifics that match to the BEST answer when taking your exams. I believe your trouble is choosing the BEST answer.

One of the things you need to do is sit down with your instructors and review materials ASAP, which is about to happen; in hindsight, that first failed exam would have been a better time to have came up with a plan; but IF that happens again, better to do it the first time it happens. :yes:

Next is utilize books that review the material; I used "The Success Series" books as a way to prepare for my nursing exams.

I am a kinesthetic learner; I learned how to master answering test questions by looking at the scenarios and underlying the ACTION words; I also imagined being a part of the scenario to give it more concrete meaning for my kinesthetic mind.

Find ways to help aid whatever learning style you have to master the material and the test, and work with your instructors. They want you to succeed. Best wishes.

Jammindude · Oct 2, 2013

To ladyfree28 Thank you so much for replying.

I believe I am a kinesthetic learner mixed with a visual learner.

For studying, I read the assigned readings and jotted down information that had to do with the whole ADPIE situation. Well, last semester I didn't really understand the whole concept of nursing questions, and it didn't help that I had some major test anxiety. So I spent the majority of last semester correcting my anxiety issue, and I managed to do OK on the exams.

Fast forward to the first test of second semester. I went to the wrong building for our test and ended up showing up 15-30 min late for test. When my instructor sat down and reviewed the test with me, it seemed like all the questions I got wrong were careless mistakes. We both agreed that showing up to the test late probably heightened my already anxious self and ended up clouding my judgement. For the second exam, I showed up 20 minutes early and drank some warm tea to calm my nerves. I entered the class feeling pretty darn confident and left feeling pretty good too, but all that confidence went down the drain when I checked my grade. It really made me feel crappier knowing all my classmates did fine also.

I know I shouldn't compare myself to anybody, and I know wallowing in despair doesn't help at all. But I cannot shake this uncomfortable and sad feeling I feel in the pit of my stomach..

Athariel · Oct 2, 2013

I am a new Nursing Student still in first semester, but I would suggest not second guessing yourself. I have changes several right answers to wrong ones because I went back on my previous instinct when answering a question. I watched a YouTube video where the woman doing it mentioned that one of the ways she studied for tests was working through the ADPIE thing on every disease mentioned in assigned chapters. Like for Blood Glucose actually working through Assessment of Diabetes type 1 and 2, Diagnosis (to practice Nurse Diagnosis and not slip into Medical diagnosis), and often did two diseases back to back, to help her learn them (doing Hypertension and then Hypotension and comparing seemed to help her remember them better, for example). I wish I could find the vid I was so stressed out and up all night I was watching vids to learn stuff and wound up cycling on through it. Still, as a fellow who learns similarly (mimicking others, doing myself, and visual) her approach appeals.

Part of what is screwing me up is having to apply knowledge rather than just memorizing it. Don't give up, though. I and others like us are struggling so you aren't alone.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Oct 2, 2013

I would suggest using review books to review the material; like the "Success Series" books to review the material. :yes:

I also suggest when you have a chance, to pick up a critical thinking book; the book that helped me as a student and as a nurse is the "Critical Thinking and Nursing Judgement" by Alfaro (I think his is the author's last name); it's available on Amazon.

Athariel · Oct 2, 2013

That was for him but I may go ahead and check that book out too. Hadn't heard of it before. Thanks

Jammindude · Oct 2, 2013

Thanks again Ladyfree28

Great job on getting in Athariel! You'll love it! (except the tests haha).

I totally have that answer changing problem also. Sometimes it works, most of the time it does not. Its a horrible habit, but I tend to always do it during tests.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Oct 2, 2013

Doesn't your college have an academic coaching department (whatever they call it) to help students with study skills and exam taking skills? Find them. Absolutely talk with your nursing faculty regularly-- set up a weekly appt with them, and don't skip. But get the more general help too.

Jammindude · Oct 4, 2013

Hey guys. I met with my instructor today and pretty much all of the ones I got wrong were careless mistake. These questions were so easy and straightforward once I went over it with my instructor(makes me so mad that I got these ones wrong).

I pretty much over thought some questions making them harder than they were. I also unconsciously added complications to some of the patients in the exam, which led me to stray away from the right answer.

It totally sucks that I missed some of these really basic questions this far in the program. BUT it is better late than never to learn from your mistakes.

@ GrnTea, I am going to meet with my instructor again, so she can check up on my studies. Hopefully it'll help!

I'm still recovering from this depression, but I will not give up! thanks for putting up with my venting (even though there were like 2 peeps here :)) Well, if anybody has any test taking tips or any tips in general, please post it!

Mandy0728 · Oct 4, 2013

Perhaps change your studying techniques...I know it's hard especially after being comfortable for so long doing it a certain way. I just applied for next semester but I heard most people have to try multiple ways to study to find out what works best. Also, do questions out of an NCLEX book of any sort. It should help. Most of all, DO NOT give up!!!

ChloeTheWise · Oct 9, 2013

So, I am sure you know about S.M.A.R.T Goals, as we have to write them for our patients-- but when it comes to studying, write some of those goals for yourself so you know whether or not you have achieved them! Make your studying goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. I don't know if you ever study with groups of people, but it is so helpful to keep myself on track when I study with a group and we each bring a specific section to test each other. It's a great way to measure whether or not you have learned the material when you can talk through it with others, and even to teach somebody else! Make sure to give yourself study breaks so you don't get overwhelmed too! :) Hope things are looking up for you!

krisiepoo · Oct 9, 2013

when we fail a test at our university, we have to use the loma linda test analysis and we go through every question we got wrong and have to answer WHY we got it wrong and then for every question we got wrong we have to find the correct rationale in our course books. it really helped me understand what I was doing wrong and how to pay attention to the questions differently.

good luck. I've failed one test and it was so devastating to me, I vowed to not have that EVER happen again