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!

[TiredKitten]

As my instructors just told us after a huge number failed our first critical care test this semester, "shake it off, or the next one will get you".

I thought waiting till my youngest was in school and being in my late 30's would help me. I studied, thought I was really prepared, and still barely passed several of my first tests. Being in my last semester and 3 months from graduation, I have spent so much time fretting over the tests over the semesters. That first semester was a shocker, especially considering I did so well on my pre-reqs.

You didn't say what style of tests they used. In my program, all the test questions are NCLEX style questions. They say its to get us ready for the real test. If that is the style, there are a ton of study help guides. After struggling that first semester with the test question styles, my instructors suggested I practice the question styles. My personal favorite is NCLEX 4000. Its a book (which I don't use), but comes with a CD to take practice tests on the computer. I love that program. You can take practice tests, or build a custom test and choose the topics and number of questions. In the build a test section, its got it split into fundamentals, Peds, OB, mental health, and med surg nursing. All those sections are divided further, such as OB having antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and neonate. You can chose the whole topic, like OB, or just the individual sections. Once I started taking the practice tests (usually in study mode to see the answer right away), and reading the rationals to see why I missed a question, my scores jumped back up.

[schoolgirl2013Lpn]

I was an older student in nursing school as well ... did great in my generals and then the nursing courses came. It's much harder...I learned to slow down in test taking and read the questions well. There are positive and negative questions and unless you read, sometimes 2 or 3 times, you can miss what is being asked. I also learned not to second guess myself when I was not exactly sure on an answer ... never erase, go with your gut and what you know or heard, it's usually the right answer! Get in a study group and discuss the material you tend to retain more information. Don't let one test get you down, you got this!!!

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

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!

Lori, easiest way to remember acidosis vs. alkalosis:

Look at only the pH number first. If it's below 7.35, it's acidosis. If it's higher than 7.45, it's alkalosis. Next look at the PaCO2 and HCO3. If the CO2 is out of whack, it's respiratory. If the HCO3 is out of whack, it's metabolic.

OP, don't give up on yourself after one exam. Nursing school exams are unlike any tests you've ever had before. You're learning to think in a whole new way.

Take as many practice questions (NCLEX style) that you can. Read the rationales for the answers. It will help give you an understanding of how to properly choose the correct answer.

Another poster previously stated to read the entire question and underline key words. That worked very well for me. I never failed a test, but I had classmates who did and still ended up with a B in the course. You can do it :)

[ellaballet]

A girl in my class announced on the first day that she had a 4.0 in engineering school and nursing school was going to be a "cake walk" for her. She got below a 70 on our first fundamentals test. Clearly she's a smart girl and it still tripped her up - I think understanding the questions takes a little longer for some people to grasp more than others! Like everyone else said you just gotta figure out what works for you, good luck with your future tests!

[lovin]

I had a similar experience. I was a second degree student -35 when I graduated and I got the lowest score on the first test. I got 4 nclex books and worked questions before every test. The prioritization book has lots of fundamentals questions. I graduated with honors. Learning how to answer NCLEX style questions is tough, but with practice you can do it!

[mmaibaue]

Don't worry. Seems like you are a good student and not afraid to study hard. It sounds like it is just a matter of learning the testing style used in nursing exams. The pre-reqs are pretty straight forward exam/testing styles. Once you get into nursing classes the testing requires a more critical thinking style and that will develop as you go forward. Many times in nursing there is no right or wrong answer, just a better answer. You have what it takes to be a great nurse. If you can do 12 classes in 12 months you can figure out the testing style and then its pretty much the same for every nursing class. Best of luck,