Do I keep going after failing 2 tests in level 3?

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I am in level 3 and just failed my first 2 tests this semester. I have little to no chance of passing this semester. I hate clinicals (not all of it) but I know for sure Peds is not for me, this i know. I am always anxious and now I am starting to worry what if indeed nursing is not for me? Should I stick with it and go the distance or should i listen to my fear/gut (not sure which one is winning at this point) and just switch directions all together? I have never failed a test in nursing. I worked half has hard last semester and still passed all my tests (I had a C's and A's in level 2 and mostly B's in level 1). And now all of a sudden I'm failing both tests? (Yet have an A in Mental Health Nursing.. what does that say about me... do I IDENTIFY with those anxious patients? joking of course but maybe that shows where I am interested I learn more)

I really need help on deciding what to do. I am a seasoned student who had to drop out of pre-req courses when I couldnt afford it. Returned, and returned again, moved out-of-state, (so 2 sets of pre-reqs essentially) have taken classes toward my bridge, taken out student loans and now to come to this fork in the road.

Should I invest even more time and money into something I am failing at or do I try something else?

Ive always been interested in Labwork- maybe I could be a medical lab tech? I am just worried, very fresh and need advice.

side note: getting married in 2 months: my eggs are 35 yrs old and I have ovulation issues - I am worried to start a new learning career this late in the game. Cant figure out why all of a sudden I am doing so poorly and doubting myself especially during tests! I find myself re-reading and re-reading the question, freaking out - and then guessing - based on what I remember. I felt really good going into this last test and felt like I made stupid little mistakes on some things and then messed up on a few "select all that apply".

any advice would help.

I am normally a straight A student so as you can imagine the academic card is usually my hand to play. Having this happen is like a slap to my identity. I am trying to see the positive side, What do I like about nursing? I like helping people. I like science, medicine, but I am worried what if all those nursing instincts dont hit me the way it hits others? Should I stay or should I go?

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

Talk with your instructors and see if there is any hope. Get some review books on the subject you're in (peds I think you said). Sometimes reading it worded differently makes it "click." We all have a subject that isn't "our thing" but unfortunately to be a nurse you have to know it all to pass the NCLEX. I'd hate to think you've gone as far as you have just to get out now but know you said you have personal things going on too.

Start with talking to the instructors. Ask them if there's hope and what you need to do to succeed. You probably aren't the first student to not do well with that class.....

Good luck.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

thread moved for best response

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Talk with your instructors and see if there is any hope. Get some review books on the subject you're in (peds I think you said). Sometimes reading it worded differently makes it "click." We all have a subject that isn't "our thing" but unfortunately to be a nurse you have to know it all to pass the NCLEX. I'd hate to think you've gone as far as you have just to get out now but know you said you have personal things going on too.

Start with talking to the instructors. Ask them if there's hope and what you need to do to succeed. You probably aren't the first student to not do well with that class.....

Good luck.

THIS.

Get some review books and utilize them to prepare for your exams; practice and start only looking at WHAT the question is asking you; if you are getting anxious, then try to utilize deep breathing exercises before taking the test, or enter the classroom right before the test starts, if possible.

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You can't blame yourself - NCLEX-style questions are hard - if they weren't, you wouldn't see such high failure rates for nursing students. As others have noted, practice the questions. I have found that I am like you, I will "master" NCLEX style questions on one topic, and then on another topic I'd be like a fish out of water, despite the whole NCLEX strategy approach (finding the stem, the distractor, etc).

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