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Hello everyone. I am currently a nursing student. (RN) Last semester, I failed med surge by less than one point. I was upset at first but then resigned myself to retaking the class and felt it may even help me to become a better nurse. The next semester, I began med surge again. I took the required dosage and calculations test and did not pass the first time. The student is only allowed to take it two times and if you fail it the second time you fail the class. Well, shockingly, I failed the dosage test for the second time. Since that was considered failing med surge twice, I was no longer in the RN program. The staff recommended that I write a letter to the director of nursing asking for a letter of appeal in order to attempt med surge a third time, therefore allowing me back in to the RN program. I did just that and was accepted back in. Needless to say I was very happy and I have been working on my dosage. I have high anxiety anyway when it comes to tests and now that I will be taking med surge once again in the next few weeks, I am scared to death. My confidence level is very low. I have told very few people including my family. I suppose I am ashamed and embarrassed. Are there any words of advice or comfort anyone can give me?

Can you go to the teacher or request tutoring? It sounds to me that you are very dedicated and just need a little encouragement and someone to take you buy the hand and help you over this hurdle. Move forward- you definetly can do this because obviously you don't let things hold you back. Go and ask for tutoring. Pay for it, beg for it, ask the teacher, and if you don't get it, don't stop til you do.

Specializes in med/surg.

Hang on in there. Calculations are just logical. Do you know all your formulae? If you do all it takes is a deep breath & meticulous application of those formulae.

I'm no great mathematician (honest - I'm actually pretty useless) but I've managed to get 100% on any dose calc papers I've ever done, both as a student nurse & as a qualified nurse doing further training modules. Check the question, check each sum you do & then check it all again before moving on.

I am sorry to hear about your situation. I know how hard it can be to concentrate on exams with anxiety. You have to come up with a solution to combat your anxiety. Just remember how bad you want to become a nurse. Do not allowed any situation to get in the way of your dream.

The best thing I would recommend, is practice, practice. That is what I had to do, once I knew the formula in my head, there was no way, I was going to get the answer wrong....I got to a point, where I was dreaming about the stuff.

Last week, I was reading about Perioperative care....I had a dream, I was in the operating room acting as a circulating nurse lol. Just keep practicing....you will conquer your fear. A little prayer would also help.

Good luck to you.

Specializes in ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.

Being mathematically challenged myself I feel your pain. Please dont give up. I was in my last semester of school when I failed the calc test and was in panic mode since we only get two cracks at passing before being disenrolled from the program. I did about 100 calculation questions before my retake and passed. Have you tried tutoring? Math can be quite intimidating to some (like myself) so when you take the test just try to relax. But dont give up! Practice dose calculation questions, as repetition will build your confidence, decrease your anxiety, and increase your understanding of the material.

Gerry

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

wishing you good luck

Thanks to those of you who quickly replied to my message. This is my very first time using this site. It is so nice to be able to talk to those who understand. Just hearing your words of encouragement made me cry. ( In a good way) I have been seeking some tutoring. I have also asked to sit in on the present dosage classes which I have had before to help refresh and maybe get my confidence level up. I will be taking a practice final exam with the class on Monday the 26th just to see how I do. The main thing I seem to have trouble with are those "word problems" that ask you to convert the lbs to kg. I have no problem with that conversion. It is the wording after that that sometimes throws me for some reason. The problems are worded differently. Sometimes "in 4 divided doses", or "Every 8 hrs." I totally understand what these phrases mean and yet when mixed with the rest of the problem, sometimes I get stumped.

Thanks so much to the first reply especially who said I obviously don't let things hold me back. With me, that tends to be the way I operate. When you said it sounds like I just need someone to hold my hand to get me through it, you were so right.

Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

If you haven't used it yet, Calculate with Confidence is the golden standard at our college....my entire class agreed it was well worth the investment....lots of learning, plus lots of practice problems....

It sounds like sitting in the class again is a wonderful idea, too...sheesh, reading this just reminded me that we learned some advanced dosage last week in lab and I haven't even looked at it yet!! :uhoh3: Thanks!! And good luck!!

Go with all the advice given so far. Something else which may be an issue. One of my fellow students went to the appropriate office at our school and had herself tested and was found to have a learning disability. She then started getting accommodations in class and was not "picked on". She got the idea b/c both of her sons had been dx and were getting help in elem school and the thought occurred to her that maybe she might have a problem along those lines. She told me she wished she would have found out a lot sooner as it would have made a lot of difference. Just food for thought.

First of all, do not ever feel ashamed of yourself for any reason. You did nothing wrong. Do not see your experience as a set back or las you put it, a failure. Having completed nursing school last december, i know exactly what your are going through. My advice to you is to seek help. Do not feel embarrased to ask one for help. Drug calc was never my forte but I managed. I asked my classmates who were math pro's for help, I asked my teachers who were willing to help. Guess what, with hard work and practice, I got a grip on dosage calculations. It takes commitment and will power, that's all. Nursing school is no joke and brace yourself for the most stressfull years of your life. But guess what? At the end You will be proud of yourself for having gone though it all. Hang in there. Think to yourself that no matter what, it could always be worst cause guess what? my school does not grant third chances. Two strikes and you're out, no exceptions. You're still in the game and that's for a reason. Keep your head up and most importantly keep GOD by your side at ALL times...even when things seem tough. Good luck!

Hello everyone. I am currently a nursing student. (RN) Last semester, I failed med surge by less than one point. I was upset at first but then resigned myself to retaking the class and felt it may even help me to become a better nurse. The next semester, I began med surge again. I took the required dosage and calculations test and did not pass the first time. The student is only allowed to take it two times and if you fail it the second time you fail the class. Well, shockingly, I failed the dosage test for the second time. Since that was considered failing med surge twice, I was no longer in the RN program. The staff recommended that I write a letter to the director of nursing asking for a letter of appeal in order to attempt med surge a third time, therefore allowing me back in to the RN program. I did just that and was accepted back in. Needless to say I was very happy and I have been working on my dosage. I have high anxiety anyway when it comes to tests and now that I will be taking med surge once again in the next few weeks, I am scared to death. My confidence level is very low. I have told very few people including my family. I suppose I am ashamed and embarrassed. Are there any words of advice or comfort anyone can give me?

I feel EXACTLY the way do now...except my devils are with pediatrics

Recently I had a family member pass away, and with the death on my mind I didn't study for a while. I failed a test that was 25% of my grade in my pediatrics class miserably. My professor and dean won't let me take the test over giving me some lame excuse that if I took it over again the whole class would be. Unless I make all A's (when do nursing instructors ever give out A's? My instructor's rationale for not giving out A's is that, "If the student got an A, why would they need the teacher?) then I'll have to take the class over, which means graduating a semester later. I got so depressed over this to the point I'm thinking about changing my major and forgetting about nursing.

My advice is talk to someone. A good friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, anyone outside of school or the field. It will allow you to vent. Vent as many times as you want to as long as the person is willing to listen. Find a way to release the stress, burden, depression, etc., because it'll eat you alive if you let it. Take no shame in yourself, because we are human. Evaluate your options and whatever decision you make have no regrets. I hope everything works out for you just as much as I hope for myself. Keep the faith!

Specializes in Ortho, Case Management, blabla.

Grit...determination. Take the word "fail" out of your vocabulary. Failure is not an option.

"By any means necessary" - Malcolm X

Do what you gotta do!

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