Failed my 1st Fundamentals Exam

[Fever4RN]

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!

[mostdesired3]

Let me just tell you: YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!

This happened to many students in our class as well. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, is devastated.

I went thru a crazy roll of emotions. Denial was the first on. I was sure the test had some sort of computer glitch lol. Anyway, Im not quite ready to kiss my 4.0 goodbye, but Ive come to the conclusion that I have to relearn how to take tests. It will be a process, but we can definitely do it. Ultimately, Im glad I even passed lol. Dont give up!

[kmclark]

This is not bad for your first test. You sound like me. I studied so hard and I never got the grades I thought I would get on the test. I would suggest you get Lippincott or Saunder NCLEX. There you will find test questions that will be asked in more of the format for nursing school. Plus it is a great tool for studying the different systems. You hang in there and don't you dare give up. My kids were 8 and 10 when I went to school. You can do it, but you have to dedicate your life to school until you get out.

[Alisonisayoshi, LVN]

First test in Fundamentals, a quarter of my class tanked, the second test, everyone did better. I think it had a lot to do with understanding what format to study for. These tests are different. You have too study differently. It's totally ok for that to be an adjustment.

[genovese]

Wow! I couldn't believe it...I really was shocked...and I do study (all the time!), is there hope considering I failed this first test....

My own situation is different of course, but I had a similarly shocking experience, in a relative sense. After acing my pre-reqs, and a first semester (Fundamentals, Assessment) with all A's on my exams, I began my second semester. I felt (and truly was) well-prepared technically for my first pharmacology exam, and figured it was my best opportunity to build a points cushion, since pharmacology begins with a survey of theory, and I have chemistry, math and engineering in my academic background, and I frankly find this kind of thing (think p-chem) more interesting than memorizing long lists of stuff (think organic). As it happened, I got a "C" (the lowest passing grade). For you, it may be the case that you didn't truly anticipate the increased level of technical difficulty, or you may have been tripped up by the style of the questions, as I believe I was. If you think your problem was the latter, I'd strongly suggest talking to your classmates for two reasons: 1) to confirm or rule out your "diagnosis" and 2) to learn how the successful test-takers coped so well. Whether the questions are designed by your instructor or by the department, they may veer from any norms to which you may have become accustomed. Some question styles punish you for assuming any knowledge not explicitly stated, while others absolutely require it. The latter style I think of as more sophisticated, more like NCLEX, where at least the higher-difficulty questions assume knowledge of the fundamentals and expect you to apply it, including the less technical but no less crucial aspects, such as safety, ethics and scope of practice. Like anyone, some instructors communicate better than others, not only in lecturing or writing syllabi, but in testing. Some are logical "loose cannons", shifting emphasis in mid-question, leaving you wondering where their thought process is wandering; in that case, all I can suggest is to not be shy, and to ASK for clarification, unless you feel under a lot of time pressure to visit every question (I haven't felt that myself). In sum, cheer up: if other students have cracked this particular nut, you can too, especially if you learn from their experience and apply this knowledge to future tests.

[i♥words]

You learn the game, you play the game, you get better at the game and you win the game.

I second this. For me, practicing NCLEX questions helps me more than studying the material. Of course I study, but I make sure to practice questions too. Last semester I looked around online for tutorials on answering NCLEX questions. Imade sure to answer the questions in my textbooks. This semester I'm adding to that and using an NCLEX review book. It's working pretty well for me so far.

[katyswarthout]

Talk to your instructor, have her go over the exam with you and talk about the rationale behind the correct answers. You will have to get into their mind-set to understand the questions and pick "the best answer". Multiple guess tests still frustrate me. I've been a nurse for 40+ years and decided to go back to school for my MSN. Keep up the good work. Your maturity and determination will help.

[sdaggy1]

Don't beat yourself up over one test. Nursing exams are a whole new world and by the time your done with school, you will master them. Don't over think the question, use the abc's and see what the priority action would be as a nurse. In other words, think like a nurse. Typically, there is more than one right answer and you need to select the best answer. Process of elimination. I found reading the question at least twice and sometimes three times and make sure to read all the answers, cross out the for sure wrong answers and again think abc's and the nursing process.

If you have trouble with the next test, talk to the instructor and see if they have any suggestions or can offer a study guide or tutoring. My cohort became very close and we started having study sessions with each other. Don't be afraid to ask for help. I just graduated nursing school in January with honors...and like you, I had a career, raised my family and then decided to follow my dream to become a nurse. Also, I was a terrible student in high school...it will get better, just keep studying...meaning have no life, but school and in the end, it will pay off. I cannot express how proud I was at our pinning ceremony, because I had finally achieved my goal. Good luck, you can do it!

[oopsieism]

I'm going to take KAPLAN nursing test on Friday.. I'm very nervous.

[PurpleLover]

I received a 66 on my first fundamentals exam. I completed the class with an 89% Everyone fails the first exam.

I didn't.

[RusticSandy]

I didn't.

Neither did I, but it's the spirit of the thing. Usually the first exam in a new class is the hardest for me because I don't know what to expect.

[LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN]

That's exactly right! I made up a stupid one to remember and it worked because I got an 88 on the exam and it was HARRRRRDDDDD!!!!!! I used this silly word: Metabolly-folly (metabolic follows pH) Bahaha

[Shorty11, BSN, RN]

I disagree with the statement that failing an exam (or one of your first or any exams in any given class, etc)is a "rite of passage". I am in my 5th and final semester of a traditional BSN program. I have never failed an exam in any nursing class. I have made an A in 10 out of 11 courses so far. (Got a high B in the one). Nursing exams are (most likely) unlike any type of exam you've ever taken before. They are application based, which requires critical thinking. Don't get discouraged though...many people fail multiple exams, even an entire course, and still go on to be great nurses. My point is that high grades in nursing courses are possible (without cheating! (as some one else mentioned) and without being exceptionally smart!) It's all about application of the material, applying what you have studied to the particular situation presented in the question. Study NCLEX-style questions. Think about what the question is truly asking. In my experience, usually my first instinct is right. In other words, I try not to chance a bunch of answers. Prioritize, ABCs, Maslows, know what getting better and what getting worse look like, nursing interventions, patient teaching, lab values.. Just to name a few.. all come into play. Best of luck!