Failed (?) My 1st Nursing Exam...VENTING

[Beggargirl]

Took my 1st exam in fundamentals. Got a C+. Needed an extra 1.5 points to pass. Prof said that one of the questions marked an incorrect answer correct so if anyone picked the other answer, then you'll get +2 points. So with the extra 2 points, I would be passing - barely passing. BUT the prof didn't put in the updated grade yet. Right now, my grade is a fail.

My downfall in studying was trying to read all the chapters that I did not even get to finish reading. I did some practice NCLEX questions on some of the topics that were being discussed in the book & class but not enough as evident in my horrible score.

All my friends got a B+ and here I am with a C+. Class has 2 more unit exams at 20% each and a final at 30%. The other 10% is ATI & the care plans.

I feel stupid right now since everyone in the class got a B or higher.

What's worse is that I got all the SATA questions right but got easy questions wrong. Some questions were straight definition questions that I got wrong because I just didn't remember or that I didn't read up on because I just didn't have enough time to read all 26 chapters.

This post was a mini venting of my frustrations. I know now that for the next test, I'm going to do more practice questions on the topics being discussed and only skim the textbook instead of full out reading.

*sigghs* Thank you for reading this post if you made it this far.

[KThurmond]

I feel ya. The first test can be rough í ½í¸ž it gets better, hang in there

[OsceanSN2018]

I failed both of my fundamental exams so far. I got an 84% and a 82% but you need a 85% to pass. It sucks and I k ow it may feel like the end of the world but it doesnt have to be if you change your study habits completely.

Whatever you're doing is not right and you may even have the same outcome on the next test if you dont change them now.

That is my new study plan: study weeks in advance, read my ati modules and focus less on the PP, and do as many practice questions as I can because I'm menorizing the material and not truly understanding how to apply it.

Goodluck!

[IdrisSedai]

NCLEX practice questions REALLY helped me for my first exam. If you have a success book or online content that gives you rationales for both the right and wrong answers, you should definitely take advantage. It really helps you understand the way they want you to think on the exams.

Even if you don't get those extra two points, you can definitely make up for this on later tests. Take this as a learning opportunity- you've realized that the way you were initially studying isn't the best fit for you. You were only a couple points short of passing this one, though. Now that you've experienced what the tests are like, you can buckle down for the next one and bring your average up.

For reference, the scores on my first exam ranged from 68-96. There were people in my class who did WAY worse than you did. I think our average was 88.

[wannabeny]

It happens. Don't get too frustrated about it. Even if you did fail, you didn't fail by much and can easily make that up. Did you analyze why you failed? Was it a lack of studying/not comprehending, or was it exam nerves? Some tips that I've picked up and tips that have helped some of my classmates:

- spend the time to look through the module, reading list, and powerpoints. using word processor, combine all of the topics mentioned in each of those three. See the patterns. Even if your professor says to read EVERYTHING in the book, (there is no physical time to do so. sorry.), there will be patterns on the most significant data. (if it's urinary system for example, you'll see kidney stones repeated on probably all three of those; module, powerpoint, and reading list).

- know definitions. Any word in bold, underlined, or italicized, or in a different color is usually a definition of some sort. KNOW those. Even if you don't get a definition type question, you'll be able to eliminate answers MUCH easier if you know those definitions.

- drugs..this is a hard one, because there are SO many. My classmate used to read the corresponding chapter for what system we were on, and then read the drug classes that would effect them. If you know the classes and the prototype drug, it makes it easier as well then trying to remember random drugs.

- NCLEX questions, NCLEX questions, NCLEX questions. Don't worry about at first whether you're getting them wrong or right; but look at the rationales for all of them. You'll start to see patterns like the ABC's (airway, breathing, circulation), nursing role involving diagnostic tests and procedures, the do's and don'ts regarding skills like catheter insertion, etc.

- TEACH IT. if you can tell someone about a procedure, and walk them through what happens, what a nurse does, etc, it helps you reinforce the reading!

- talk to your professor. Don't wait until the next exam. Go and ask her for some guidance on how to focus your reading and studying.