Failed my 1st Fundamentals Exam

Nursing Students General Students

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Wow! I couldn't believe it...I really was shocked. I prepared and studied, that is all I do. Just last semester I was President's List! In fact just got my certificate in the mail, and don't even feel worthy to hang it. Here's the thing...

I knew the topics the test was talking about. I understood them and I felt prepared. So for me that is the scariest thing of all. There are no words to describe how I feel because class avg was 78% and I got 70. I feel so inadequate, and I want this so bad. I have been praying that this is for me, because this is all I have ever wanted.

I am an older student and I have been a hair stylist for 23 years. My kids are all grown, and I always said when they were grown I was going to go to school for nursing. This has been my first college experience, and I got all my pre-reqs done in a year. 12 classes in 12 months and 12 A's. 4.0 student for the first time ever.

In high school I was a C at best. I was so proud that I finally felt like I could do something, and now this. This has shaken me, and I would be lying to myself if I didn't admit that it has released some old demons in the way I look at myself. (like...there she is. there is the girl from high school...that kind of stuff)

Here's the thing, I even felt good after I took the test. I felt "iffy" on 14, and we could miss 13 to pass. But my "rationale" was surely I didn't miss all 14, so I felt good about it. We go back in and I was right I didn't miss all the 14 I had checked, but I kept missing others that I didn't think twice about...This test was over "Nursing Process" (ADPIE), Asepsis, and Pain Management. I missed mostly ones in Nurse Process...

Well, I'm not giving up, but I have to say I am extremely nervous about my test this Monday in Pharmacology. I guess my question is, considering that I have devoted my life to this, and I do take it seriously, and I do study (all the time!), is there hope considering I failed this first test, and I am below avg of alot of ppl who are distracted with young children and jobs...I'm just feeling inadequate...Please Help! PS> I have sooo much respect for the nurses out there...WTG!

Specializes in Hospice.

Everyone doesn't fail the first exam. I never failed any of my first semester exams. However, I am probably going to fail my first second semester exam. But, as some PPs have stated, it's one test. I have studied and studied and I just know I'll mix up respiratory and metabolic acidosis/alkalosis. I know it. Keep your head up and get your focus back. I'm an older student too, and my synapses don't fire like they used to either!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
One big thing that is true for all of the nursing tests I've ever seen is that you have to really READ the questions. If you are allowed to write on your tests underline things, highlight them, whatever. Know EXACTLY what the question is asking before attempting to answer. Once you think you've got an answer - double check it. Does the answer fit according to things you've learned in your prerequisites? What about with common sense? The best, and my most favorite thing about nursing, is that unlike English class, the common sense answer is almost always right. I really have to think each question through. And once you've taken a test, always review what you've missed if you can. [/quote']

This.

To add: THINK, but DO NOT OVERTHINK.

A paradox on words perhaps, however, you have to approach nursing questions as a scenario and the BEST answer/action related to WHAT the question is asking you.

You are learning to think like a nurse; it takes time, but you can and WILL be able to think like a nurse. :yes:

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Specializes in CVICU.

Everyone has commented on nursing-style tests and given inspiring words, so I wanted to comment that ADPIE is like the critical thinking nexus of nursing. To quote my first semester instructor, "It is what we do as nurses". You are a first semester nursing student.. that is not meant in a pejorative way, but it is totally okay if you did not have a perfect grasp on the nursing process. You will have other tests that you can try your hand at. Don't let this bring down your confidence.. let it inspire you to do better. This will not be your first "failure" in nursing school. Can you guess how many students get an IV in successfully their first try? Or how many people have to retake the NCLEX because they didn't pass the first time? Every mistake is a learning opportunity. That is what school is for :)

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Specializes in Med Surg, PCU, Travel.

All I can say is "Welcome to Nursing School". I also failed my first fundamentals exams with 72% I'd advise you to first talk to your instructor second, get the book Review and Rationales Fundamentals. I ended with an overall B in fundamentals and you can too or even better, there is still time so don't be too hard on yourself. Continue what your are doing, the book I mentioned is just to supplement your learning and get some practice with the nursing questions. For weekly quizzes and assignments try to get them all correct or at least in the 95% range and you will be in the running for an A at the end of the semester, it can be done.

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Wow! Thank you so much! This is so awesome...I love this site You all are so encouraging and I know how hard you worked to get where you are and I respect the hard work you do daily...I am in awe of you all...you are making a difference :yes:

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Half way through my first semester we had some lady come in and talk to us for 6 hours about answering NCLEX style questions and what to do/what not to do/etc. I obviously can't really sum up what she said, but what I will say is: there is a game to it. You learn the game, you play the game, you get better at the game and you win the game.

I swear sometimes you can literally have no idea the answer to the question, but you'll be able to pick out the right answer.

And what I've learned is the best way to study is answering questions. NCLEX books, the questions at the end of your chapters, we also use this thing called "Prep-U" at my school.

Goodluck

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Sent you a PM with a helpful site...dont give up!

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I am a first semester student as well and some of the 4th semester students came to our lecture to give us guidance and advice and most if not all of them said they bombed the first 2 exams. It takes time to get used to this style of question and material is so different and there is so much of it!!!! Girl hang in there!! We got this !!

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P.S. look up "Nursing student Boot Camp" on youtube! Great info!!

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I have anacronym for acidosis and alkalosis if it will help you.... ROME--- Respiratory/opposite Metabolic/equal.

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Don't give up. New class, new question and new test format all add up for a huge change and a difficult task! I don't know how you studied, but what I have personally found the best results with is by utilizing the textbook's chapter questions, the book's disk practice questions, and the book's manufacturer's website review quizzes as well. I also have an NCLEX-RN Saunders comprehensive review book. I use it as well to review whatever we have covered in class, as the format of the questions are more likely to be styled like our classroom tests. I am 34 years old and in 3rd semester. I was like you in high school, I always blew it off, and I never developed any study skills until I started nursing school. So if I can do it, I am confident that you can too. Maybe you are studying too much... It is so easy to burn yourself out, and in the same process, not really gain much as far as understanding in the process. Keep working hard, you can do it! Nursing school is full of successes and failures, and in all honestly this probably won't be the only test you fail. And that's okay. Just keep doing your best.

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Specializes in Private Duty.

We always did worse on the first tests. The only people that did great were the cheaters or just the exceptionally smart. Every test is a format that you have to get accustomed to. I always found out that on select all that apply, you have to choose AT LEAST 2, but never all 5 answers. And with multiple choice they always provide a dead wrong answer, a good answer and the best answer or a series of steps that are all true. We were really big on ATI and test strategies. When you break the code, you got a fighting chance. Good Luck!

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