Failed 3 Exams

Nursing Students General Students

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Hello my nursing students!

I am currently a first-year semester nursing student. I don't have the most supportive or encouraging professor which is unfortunate. Every time I try to communicate with her, she'll respond, "Go ask the students who passed." I am struggling with the exams. I have failed 3 nursing exams so far and I have one more exam (50 points) and one final exam (100 points). I want to have hope but I feel so defeated. I need to get a 45/50 on the next exam and an 80/100 on the final exam. Is this achievable? I am unsure now. What are your studying tips for acing a nursing exam? Any resource commented would be appreciated. Thank you! 

2 Votes
Specializes in ER/School/Rural Nursing/Health Department.

Are you given a study guide? Class time review? How specific is your instructor on what the exam will cover?

What are you having trouble with? Memorizing the info, test anxiety, understanding the topics, ability to go past the basic info and utilize it in a critical thinking way?

Which class is giving you trouble? How do you typically study? How badly are you failing the exams?  Are you doing well in other classes?

2 Votes
Specializes in Customer service.
On 4/6/2022 at 8:52 PM, emilynuhwin said:

Hello my nursing students!

I am currently a first-year semester nursing student. I don't have the most supportive or encouraging professor which is unfortunate. Every time I try to communicate with her, she'll respond, "Go ask the students who passed." I am struggling with the exams. I have failed 3 nursing exams so far and I have one more exam (50 points) and one final exam (100 points). I want to have hope but I feel so defeated. I need to get a 45/50 on the next exam and an 80/100 on the final exam. Is this achievable? I am unsure now. What are your studying tips for acing a nursing exam? Any resource commented would be appreciated. Thank you! 

I focus on the chapters that I will be tested on. I'm used to failing, so I'm not shaken or afraid of it. I do my best to do well. I'm done experiencing fear or anxiety that I can lessen or prevent. I do my best to study each day with assigned chapters and do practice tests. I feel weird if I don't read and take notes. I don't utilize index cards. Those weren't helping me. Remember, that we'll have different learning styles.

I read and use NCLEX Study Guide: Insights to Help You Pass the NCLEX.

For me, the study guide helped me. I maintain my grades from 85% or higher. I earned an A and B. No C yet. C doesn't bother me, but it feels nice I feel safe. The author and I aren't affiliated. I'm sharing this because I've been successful in my class. I didn't finish my short-term program with this author; however, for some reason, the bulb in the brain has been activated. Imagine if I completed the program.

I don't even know how I made it this far, but I feel comfortable with my skill as a student nurse.

2 Votes
On 4/7/2022 at 11:06 AM, RuralMOSchoolRN said:

Are you given a study guide? Class time review? How specific is your instructor on what the exam will cover?

What are you having trouble with? Memorizing the info, test anxiety, understanding the topics, ability to go past the basic info and utilize it in a critical thinking way?

Which class is giving you trouble? How do you typically study? How badly are you failing the exams?  Are you doing well in other classes?

No study guide is given, the only review we have is a kahoot and I don't think that really prepared me. I have a mixture of test anxieity and ability to go past basic info and utilizie it in a critical thinking way. I am unsure what resources to use. I have been reading the book and utilizing practice questions from lippincott (prepU) but I have not seen an increase in my scores. Should I start utilizing my NCLEX book for more practice questions? ? 

On 4/7/2022 at 5:53 PM, Honyebee said:

I focus on the chapters that I will be tested on. I'm used to failing, so I'm not shaken or afraid of it. I do my best to do well. I'm done experiencing fear or anxiety that I can lessen or prevent. I do my best to study each day with assigned chapters and do practice tests. I feel weird if I don't read and take notes. I don't utilize index cards. Those weren't helping me. Remember, that we'll have different learning styles.

I read and use NCLEX Study Guide: Insights to Help You Pass the NCLEX.

For me, the study guide helped me. I maintain my grades from 85% or higher. I earned an A and B. No C yet. C doesn't bother me, but it feels nice I feel safe. The author and I aren't affiliated. I'm sharing this because I've been successful in my class. I didn't finish my short-term program with this author; however, for some reason, the bulb in the brain has been activated. Imagine if I completed the program.

I don't even know how I made it this far, but I feel comfortable with my skill as a student nurse.

Thank you for sharing. Do you think my NCLEX Saunders book may help increase my test scores if I do those practice questions? ? 

1 Votes
Specializes in Customer service.
2 hours ago, emilynuhwin said:

No study guide is given, the only review we have is a kahoot and I don't think that really prepared me. I have a mixture of test anxieity and ability to go past basic info and utilizie it in a critical thinking way. I am unsure what resources to use. I have been reading the book and utilizing practice questions from lippincott (prepU) but I have not seen an increase in my scores. Should I start utilizing my NCLEX book for more practice questions? ? 

Thank you for sharing. Do you think my NCLEX Saunders book may help increase my test scores if I do those practice questions? ? 

I have no idea. It doesn't hurt to try. 

1 Votes

Quizlet and Youtube videos are great for reinforcing information! Also peek in your book for any practice questions. Be sure to practice lots of questions to get a sense for how to answer those type of questions. Also reviewing in a group may help.

1 Votes

Hello all! I graduated nursing school in 2019. I am a RN residing in Los Angeles. I am willing to answer ALL questions pertaining to the interview process for nursing school, didactic courses, clinical, and how to study smart. 

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