So I'm a student in FLorida in a BSN to AGNP program and I failed my second exam in my primary 1 class. Like by one point. Passing is 80% I got a 79% It was based on cardio and respiratory, and was vey extensive. In order to continue in the program I have to get a 79% on the COMPREHENSIVE final (meaning covers HEENT, Skin, Cardio, respiratory, Endocrine and Fundamental stuff) MY first exam was a dismal 84%. This final is the going to decide whether I continue or have to retake the class ONE YEAR from now putting my graduation from 2016 Dec to 2017 Dec. Overwhelmed!
I'm in a right fine panic because I'm a pretty stellar student and the school offers very little in the way of support and compassion for working mothers. Against me is I'm a night shift worker,
I have two children ages (3 year old and 7months old)
...with one more on the way (accidental, but this new one is due October),
I work ICU night shift Friday-Monday to support my family because my husband stopped working temporarily to tend to our children.
Daycare is too expensive.
So Im doing overtime every monday, clincals for nine hours every wednesday, clinicals for four hours on friday and driving two-three hours to my school across the state of Florida every thursday because no school in my area offers the doctoral program, or AGNP that I'm currently in.
Sigh. The dean of my program says "Cant you go part time?" - Im the only income in my household right now - and Im a pretty well vested nurse in my company.....kids have to eat...so no. I'm so disheartened with the single women with no kids complaining they got low A's or high B's on the exam, and I'm like doing the very best I can...without the same privelages; and yielding awful 79% results.
Im trying to study my hardest but by God am I discouraged, tired and let down. Anybody have any words of encouragement, advice anything? Ive found that as I've gotten older, my previous study techniques no longer work. I used to be flash card queen. Now Im trying dictating the notes in my own words on my iphone recorder - but its so time consuming, and time is something I have so very little of. Anybody ever pull an ace out of their hat before, because this 79% on requirement on the final has me very scared.
So I'm a student in FLorida in a BSN to AGNP program and I failed my second exam in my primary 1 class. Like by one point. Passing is 80% I got a 79% It was based on cardio and respiratory, and was vey extensive. In order to continue in the program I have to get a 79% on the COMPREHENSIVE final (meaning covers HEENT, Skin, Cardio, respiratory, Endocrine and Fundamental stuff) MY first exam was a dismal 84%. This final is the going to decide whether I continue or have to retake the class ONE YEAR from now putting my graduation from 2016 Dec to 2017 Dec. Overwhelmed!
You need to change your strategy in preparing for your exams. You are focusing on failing by "one point" but the truth is that both of your exam scores were close to the pass/fail mark. Remember, you will need a comprehensive knowledge of these systems and more to both 1. pass the national certification boards and 2. be a competent novice provider.
So Im doing overtime every monday, clincals for nine hours every wednesday, clinicals for four hours on friday and driving two-three hours to my school across the state of Florida every thursday...The dean of my program says "Cant you go part time?" - Im the only income in my household right now - and Im a pretty well vested nurse in my company.....kids have to eat...so no. I'm so disheartened with the single women with no kids complaining they got low A's or high B's on the exam, and I'm like doing the very best I can...without the same privelages; and yielding awful 79% results.
You are making an investment in your future. A investment of you time and money. From what you wrote above you seem to know exactly what the problem is, and I think you probably understand at some level that your Dean is right. You are unable currently to appropriately invest in your own education and preparation. You simply don't have the time: that's not your school's fault or the "single women with no kids's fault, you haven't put yourself in a good position to succeed. Even the best students will struggle in graduate school when they don't have time to direct their own learning.
Anybody have any words of encouragement, advice anything?
Perhaps consider taking some time off until you can put yourself in a better position to succeed? Graduate school will still be there when your life calms down a bit. There's a great chance you can pull the 80% on the final you need to pass but what happens next semester when there are more clinical hours? Or on the board exams? Or even more importantly, in practice, when someone's life and your entire career could be affected by a single mistake?
I am sorry to be a little direct with this, but I see it all the time with students, and I feel it's in their best interest to be direct.
on to pass every class and im now an ANCC board certified ARNP about to start my first job ! Had my son a year ago and everything worked out FINE! :)
Congratulations on school and the baby! I'm so happy for you, and that this thread had a happy ending. It sounds like you put blood, sweat and tears into this. I started my program with a 6 month and a 2 yr old. Its tough, but praying to be done next Fall. As you can tell, its almost 3 am, and I'm still up, just finished some assignments. But when the kids decide to wake up @0630 or 0700, then no more sleep for me! Sometimes hubby will let me sleep in, but I feel guilty doing that.
BostonFNP, APRN
2 Articles; 5,584 Posts
You need to change your strategy in preparing for your exams. You are focusing on failing by "one point" but the truth is that both of your exam scores were close to the pass/fail mark. Remember, you will need a comprehensive knowledge of these systems and more to both 1. pass the national certification boards and 2. be a competent novice provider.
You are making an investment in your future. A investment of you time and money. From what you wrote above you seem to know exactly what the problem is, and I think you probably understand at some level that your Dean is right. You are unable currently to appropriately invest in your own education and preparation. You simply don't have the time: that's not your school's fault or the "single women with no kids's fault, you haven't put yourself in a good position to succeed. Even the best students will struggle in graduate school when they don't have time to direct their own learning.
Perhaps consider taking some time off until you can put yourself in a better position to succeed? Graduate school will still be there when your life calms down a bit. There's a great chance you can pull the 80% on the final you need to pass but what happens next semester when there are more clinical hours? Or on the board exams? Or even more importantly, in practice, when someone's life and your entire career could be affected by a single mistake?
I am sorry to be a little direct with this, but I see it all the time with students, and I feel it's in their best interest to be direct.