Failing and Making Decisions

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I failed second semester of my program. I was stunned, but not entirely surprised. It seemed that the harder I tried, the harder I studied, the more damage I did to my self-confidence. I now understand that my downfall may be in my critical thinking skills. I have a very good memory most days and I can spit out facts and figures at the drop of a hat. However, this is not what is necessary...application of said knowledge is. So, any tips as to where I should go from here? For those who have failed and have gone on to successfully complete the program, how did you feel? What did you do to improve? How do you get through this without tearing yourself apart?

Tks.

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I failed my second semester, too, and I'm out for a year. It was one of the most disappointing things I ever experienced. But what made it worst was the lack of encouragement I received after I failed out. But regardless of that, I learned to pick myself up and try it again.

I do believe that if you try it again, your chances are good in completing the program. Just make sure you use this time to figure out where you went wrong. Review as much material as you can. My problem was the course load. It was just too much information at one time for me to take in. As I review the material now, I'm learning more than I did when I was in school.

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Specializes in Nursing Education.

I'm sorry you're going through this, but know that if you're determined, you can do it. I think one of the best ways to work on your critical thinking skills is by practicing NCLEX questions. Do them like it's your full-time job! At first, it will be discouraging because it will seem like you get a lot of them wrong, but over time you will start to see patterns in the types of questions that are asked, it will be easier for you to choose the right answer, and your scores will start improving.

And always remember that you will NEVER get all of the questions right. I am constantly surprised by the number of students who are doing well, but are upset because they can't get every question correct. Nursing is a big field, and even experienced nurses don't know everything!

Do something nice to pamper yourself, then get back to the work of nursing school :)

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

I failed my third semester and to be honest, it sucked but I got over it real fast. I realized that if I kept being mad, or sorry for myself or anything, it would be worse for the cause then picking myself up from the bootstraps and saying that I can do it this time, I just need to refocus and try new things. There were 6 others that failed out with me and one is still in the whole pity party, one that quit all together and the rest of them who got over it like I did and we are doing awesome in the class now. Go out have a drink with some friends let it out and then let some of them smack some sense into you. Works everytime ha ha

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Just for the record... this is nothing wrong with pity

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Here's my story:

I failed a class and had to wait a year before I could retake it again. It was one of the biggest downfalls so far in my college career. The thought of waiting a whole year just made me sick. At first, I was going to just quit -in all, but in the back of my head I knew I could not. I would always be known as a failure if I didn't stick it out. I wanted to prove my family, friends, nursing instructor and advisor wrong...prove everyone wrong. I figured I had to give it another shot, if it didn't work out the second time around, then I would know that I just wasn't meant to be a nurse...but at least I tried. I waited a whole year and in the meanwhile I worked as a CNA saved up some money. During my year off I also went out with my friends a lottt ( I just turned 21 at the time so I know that is one of the main reasons y I failed...because I didn't study as much as I should have, and just wasn't ready to focus.) I finally got all that party w friends and social life out of my system and pretty soon before you know it, it's time to start back up again. Honestly, a year goes by so fast. I took the class again with a different outlook, was really focused and determined, studied a bunch...and I passed!!

Don't give up...please. If I did it, you cannnn do it. Don't get discouraged. I honestly think that it was good for me to take a year off anyways, because I just wasn't mentally focused and prepared. But now I am! I graduate in 1.5 months and I couldn't be more proud of myself for accomplishing and overcoming so much through this process.

keep ur head up.

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.
Just for the record... this is nothing wrong with pity

to a point no there isnt. But when you let it get the best of you and drive the way you act yes there is something wrong with it. Everyone is gonna feel a punch in the gut when they try there best and it just isnt good enough. Thats why we are allowed to fail, its just how you deal with it and pick yourself up that matters.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

I think you've already taken the first big step. You are taking responsibility for your own learning. As an instructor, I have seen many students not pass a class, and the initial response of many is to try to place blame on others. You are not doing this, which already puts you ahead of the game and at a place where you can improve.

As others have posted, I would use NCLEX review books as much as humanly possible. I would not take any test without doing tons of NCLEX questions about the topic first.

Also, see if your instructor would be willing to do two things: first, review your notes. The instructor will be able to see if you are missing things in class. I find this is the case more than I would expect.

Second, see if you can review your tests. The book Test success: Test-taking strategies for beginning nursing students by Nugent and Vitale is great. It not only has strategies, but also a good grid that will help pinpoint exactly the area(s) in which things are going wrong on your tests.

Also consider making a grid for every disease process, medication, etc. It should address the major areas that NCLEX addresses as well as the nursing process. For example, let's say you are studying CHF. What would you expect to assess in this patient? Would it vary for R or L-sided failure? Are there any variations with age (ex- peds vs. geri)? What are the most likely nursing diagnoses for this patient, and what would appropriate goals and interventions be? How will you know if they are working? What key things should your patient know? What are s/s of worsening? What meds are used? Key safety factors? (You get the picture!)

See if you can talk to someone who succeeded in that course. How did they study? Can you consider studying in a group?

Also, take full advantage of technology- record lectures if you are allowed and listen while you work out/cook/drive/clean house/etc.

Finally, DON'T give up. The majority of students who don't pass go on to succeed at least in our school. Anyone who tells you they've never failed at anything is either lying, or has never tried to do anything that difficult!

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I failed my third semester and to be honest, it sucked but I got over it real fast. I realized that if I kept being mad, or sorry for myself or anything, it would be worse for the cause then picking myself up from the bootstraps and saying that I can do it this time, I just need to refocus and try new things. There were 6 others that failed out with me and one is still in the whole pity party, one that quit all together and the rest of them who got over it like I did and we are doing awesome in the class now. Go out have a drink with some friends let it out and then let some of them smack some sense into you. Works everytime ha ha

I hear ya on not going onto the pity party tangent. I'm not one to wallow in misery for long (it's exhausting!). But what is making that difficult right now is 1) I still have to attend my support classes (although I'm almost done), and 2) everyone in those classes were part of my nursing core classes as well, so I'm not getting a break from the pitying faces and comments. That is more of a downer than the actual occurrence! Yes, I realize that I washed out 2 weeks before the end. It sucks. I was hurt and disappointed that I didn't make it all the way through, and I'm dealing with that. But can we move on pleeeeeeeease????? :mad:

I did my bit of sobbing and such, but what I decided to do almost immediately is choose to look at the situation as an opportunity to get more comfortable with the material, re-energize, and go back in fighting next spring. I know what to expect now, and how difficult it will be. I prayed to God that if it was His will, I would get through. Evidently He saw some things I needed to work on, and I'm taking it just that way.

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Update: I got back into the program this spring. There are 6 weeks left, and I am doing much better. I took the advice of most people and have been going over NCLEX questions quite a bit. Our textbook had quite a few, but I also purchased Saunders and NCLEX 4000, which have been very helpful. Also, I found out that part of the reason for my excessive fatigue last year was diabetes -- I was diagnosed as Type 2 last September. It's a pain in the neck at times, but with a few dietary tweaks and some Metformin, I am doing much better (no more Code Red Mountain Dew for all nighters!).

Thank you all so much for weighing in with your opinions and advice.

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More advice, practice critical thinking exercises not necessarily related to Nursing. You can find these exercises by googling, or even take a community college class on critical thinking.

I am a good critical thinker, but I also practice.

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Thank you! What a great idea.

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