Failed 2 nursing tests

JennaAnn23 · Oct 19, 2018

Your chances of passing are looking very slim. When is your drop date? If you can drop after your next exam (in case it doesn't go well) then you should just wait & see what you get first. However, if your drop date is already close, then I would just drop the course because you don't want to risk having a failure on your transcript.

I started my ABSN program last semester & had to drop two classes that I highly risked failing. I was devastated of course but I am now retaking those classes and am in a better space, with a better focus. If I would have stayed in those two classes knowing how bad my exam scores were, I would have failed both of them & would have gotten kicked out of my program. I'm now doing much better in those classes (still struggling a little in one of them though) and I don't regret dropping them. It's better to repeat than to fail.

I know it's scary & it feels like you're quitting too early, but it's literally for the best. Your goal is to graduate & do well in your classes, especially if you want to continue your education afterwards. In the end, if you still choose to stay in that class then you really need to

1. Start studying with your classmates who are doing well in that class.

2. Go to tutoring like 1-3 times a week! As much as you can.

3. Change your study habits. If you're struggling in that class then that means you need to study every single day (no joke). Start making flash cards weeks before the next exam, watch YouTube videos, meet with your teacher, get a good tutor, study with another person and make sure you can explain every detail to them so you're sure that you know the material.

4. Utilize all of the study materials you are given. Use the questions at the end of the chapters in your book to study. Also, if your school uses Evolve then make you practice all of the questions that the website offers. Repetition is key!

Keep us updated on your decision! And don't worry, you will become an amazing nurse in the end :)

SqrB3ar, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2018

I agree with JennaAnn23. Depending on the last date to drop and your third exam, if you're able to take your third exam before the drop date then try your best with the test and see how your score is from there (though this also depends on how fast your teacher grades them!); if the drop date expires prior to the third test, then drop. I've seen students still pass the class with two failed exams - it isn't a pretty overall grade, but what matters is moving on and that despite your score, your best efforts result in a ton of knowledge to apply in your nursing career.

Talk to your instructor privately about this. You mentioned your professor is already telling you to drop the course, does this mean that the last day to drop is before the 3rd exam? Calculate all of your scores together and the "what-if" scores to see if you still have a chance at passing.

Ask the classmates who are doing well on how they are studying. Does your professor focus on the textbook, lecture, other material ex. ATI? Ask yourself if you are giving yourself enough time to study or do you procrastinate? Are you reading the material on time enough to actually study notes? Are there distractions going on in your life where your focus can be off? Are you understanding the material presented?

In these situations, you have to dig deep and see what isn't working. For me, I give my phone away for the week until the days I have class so I don't get distracted on posting photography or watching YouTube podcasts - this keeps me focused and really social media is draining anyways! You have to be honest with yourself.

Study groups can be fine, but sometimes they aren't. Stick with the students that take this stuff seriously and study with them or do review sessions. Sometimes I start it with the entire class so no one is left out. Figure out how you're studying and how much time you actually spend studying - change it. Record lecture and listen during drives, YouTube it, read textbook or other resources to make it stick. Teach it to an imaginary audience or classmates. I like to record myself as I teach the material as if I'm the teacher.

If you do end up failing, please do not feel like you aren't meant to be a nurse. Failures happen all the time. It'll only make you stronger because not many people know that feeling.