Attention weekend evening BMCC grads/nur 2,3,4 students

optimistic1 · Feb 27, 2007

First of all, don't have too much anxiety. Secondly the likelihood of getting an A is slim - you can do it but it's slim. I know that you are used to getting A's in your previous courses, but this is a whole different ballgame. I got a B- with her a couple of semesters ago and I was happy- sort of. When you get to 3rd and 4th semester you'll be happy with getting a C. Sad but true. The scope of what you need to learn in 1st semester is so big that it is hard to remember everything. Just do the best that you can. What you should get is the "Fundamentals Success" book. It wasn't on the book list when I was there but it really helps. It gives you the rationales for both correct and incorrect answers, which helps reinforce what you've learned. Practicing answering questions is a really good way to study. Those NCLEX review books you see in the bookstore or at Barnes & Noble? They are not just for studying for the NCLEX. The sooner you get some of these books the better. She is a nice person, but forgets sometimes that we don't have any nursing expereince yet. The questions she asks on tests don't always make a lot of sense, so if you can argue your point effectively enough she might throw the question out. She does that a lot. Don't be afraid to speak up. Your grade is always a couple of points better than what you actually got. You'll get points on the final too. Don't get used to it, though. After first semester, you get what you get and there is really no wiggle room. Good luck!

kittykat23 · Feb 27, 2007

First of all, don't have too much anxiety. Secondly the likelihood of getting an A is slim - you can do it but it's slim. I know that you are used to getting A's in your previous courses, but this is a whole different ballgame. I got a B- with her a couple of semesters ago and I was happy- sort of. When you get to 3rd and 4th semester you'll be happy with getting a C. Sad but true. The scope of what you need to learn in 1st semester is so big that it is hard to remember everything. Just do the best that you can. What you should get is the "Fundamentals Success" book. It wasn't on the book list when I was there but it really helps. It gives you the rationales for both correct and incorrect answers, which helps reinforce what you've learned. Practicing answering questions is a really good way to study. Those NCLEX review books you see in the bookstore or at Barnes & Noble? They are not just for studying for the NCLEX. The sooner you get some of these books the better. She is a nice person, but forgets sometimes that we don't have any nursing expereince yet. The questions she asks on tests don't always make a lot of sense, so if you can argue your point effectively enough she might throw the question out. She does that a lot. Don't be afraid to speak up. Your grade is always a couple of points better than what you actually got. You'll get points on the final too. Don't get used to it, though. After first semester, you get what you get and there is really no wiggle room. Good luck!

Thank you. I tried getting that book but it's sold out. I guess my biggest concern is that I'm spending all this time studying but the effort won't be reflected in my grades. And that's upsetting to me. Not just because I was a straight A student, but because I feel if you are putting in the time, you should be able to reap the rewards. Thanks again

optimistic1 · Feb 27, 2007

On second thought, I shouldn't discourage you. If you work hard enough you can get whatever grade you want. It's just not the same black and white approach that you've been used to. I'm sure they are telling you that - "critical thinking!!" Think patient safety first, ABC's and all that and you'll do fine. You also have to realize where you are - in a community college paying next to nothing in tuition. You get what you pay for. Limited resources and oftentimes limited effort from the dept. Basically you end up teaching yourself nursing. Lastly, go to Barnes & Noble.com and buy an annual membership. $25 gets you 10% off everything everytime you shop in store and online (including coffee at the cafe). Shipping is free when you buy more than $25 worth (and you will - many times over) so the fee pays for itself in no time, and you always get the books you need.

olivia28 · Mar 1, 2007

Sorry to jump into your post, but optimistic is right. I am in my first semester at Hopfer and I am pulling a C average in the class right now. I study all the info, but the critical thinking is what gets you over on the tests. I can still pull off a B in the course, but I would have to stop working in order to pull off an A. An A is possible, it is just harder for evening students because they have work, families etc that pull at their time as well. I just bought the NCLEX review book by Lipincott which has 5000 questions on CD rom and the fundaments of nursing book that was mentioned before. My plan is to use these tools along with the studying to bring my grade up to a B. It is hard for me to get used to the critical thinking aspect of testing, but practice makes perfect.

nycNurse2b · Mar 2, 2007

Talk to other students there. I am sorry to say this but i have heard horrific things about the evening program there - SORRY. I was all set to go into it and at the last minute changed to their DAY program. I am currently in my second semester and am loving it.

The second semester EVENING students are down to only 27 students. Sadly, they had 40 when they started first semester. Prof E** lost 13 students. NOT GOOD. I urge you to talk to Evening Nur 2 students who had her for advice on how to succeed!

GOOD luck to you! ! YOU CAN DO IT!

karolina · Mar 3, 2007

i was always a day student , ! overall stay optimistic. chances of getting A are very slim.. B is is more reasonable..

BrooklynRN2008, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 11, 2007

Hi kittykat,

i am actually a second semester evening student - yes, alot of people dropped out or failed. First semester is very tough. the material is not hard but plentiful, also they hit you with lots of other stuff, concepts maps, a presentation then your drug cards (which you probably have done already).

The exams are badly written, the prof changes the questions to her own words and often don't make sense at all. my advise id read the book, especially the boxes and all the minor details she will often ask about them. get the fundamentals for success test questions book, practise lots of questions to improve your critical thinking skills. i used the ATI book as well as a back up, its short and to the point. Above all get together with fellow students and form a studygroup, its really beneficial. don't worry about reading ahead of class, i never did because first of all there is no time and second of all you will only confuse yourself. The prof. usually gives points back since her questions are so bad that nobody understands them. when studying always ask yourself what type of nursig interventions apply, what is your priority. know your drugs, she loves the nrsing process, pt teaching and S&S. some of my classmates have signed up to tutor 1st semester students - might be worth looking into. above all, keep going, the end is near, we almost half way through, it won't get easier but 2nd semester is around the corner and its much more relaxed, the OB prof is fantastic and you can actually relax a little and lean a lot. good luck, let me know if you need anythin else.

Nurse212 · Mar 18, 2007

As a BMCC NUR 4 evening student, I can tell you that, for the most part, NUR I and NUR IV are the toughest and that the best professor the school has for NURSING happens to be the chairmen herself, Barbara Tacinelli (NUR III MedSurg).

As for Eng, she is like that for a reason. In her mind, it is her job to weed out the weak. She finds that if she is too generous or lenient with regards to grading, those same students who can't crack at least a B- in her class will most likely fail NUR IV. There can be truth to that statement. NUR IV is no joke, sometimes you even feel as if you are being taught to be a damn doctor at times with the amount and complexity of the material, but it's all worth it.

Also, look at it this way.. Even though it seems very tough now, once you get over your demanding foundation provided for during your ADN, you will be so much better off when going for your BSN or even an MSN. Everyone I have spoken to has told me that getting that first degree is the hardest be it an ADN or BSN, but that afterwards, due to having a solid foundation in NURSING, you can get the other degrees at ease. Not to mention that by the time you finish the program, you'll also take the NCLEX exam and have your license to practice, the same license that every nurse uses no matter what degree attained.

So good luck..

Nurse212