Well, I thought when I would enter the nursing school, work hard at it, and bam a passing grade. Eventually, go on to have kids and still my children you can do whatever you want, because like your dad who had trouble eventually found success. God, that seems so wonderful, but so far from the truth. I'm failing nursing school.
Yes, this is my second test an I got a 68 on my test. My first grade was a 62, and I have 3 more test to go. Oh yea, the final being cumulative and worth 40 percent of your grade. I don't want to be weeded out of the program, but it appears that is exactly what is happening at my college. Is nursing school meant to be this hard? I mean the questions are so poorly written that you have no idea on what they're even asking. (sorry just letting some steam out).
Anyway, I'm 31 years old, and my wife is 31 also. We want kids, and as I write this I can hear her biological clock ticking. I thought this would be the right move. From my job, I was able to save around 40k for our future with only student loan debt, which is around 20k. My wife 0 student loan debt. I thought me becoming a nurse plus our savings would be enough for her not to work for a few years. It sucks that I'm not smart enough to do this program.
I don't want to wallow in despair, but i'm only human. I just wanted to be successful at something worth a damn. Seems like no matter how hard I try the tests just keep me down or I keep myself down. Either way, I'm down and out. Anybody in the virtual world of nurses can help me out?
I'm thinking of just dropping into LPN program next semester or year. Maybe using the time to work as a CNA or something.
In my mind, I'm already defeated. My self esteem is at a 0 and my self worth is at a negative now. It's easy to vent online. My wife is supportive, but I would rather see her happy. I wish I wasn't a loser.
it funny how people think nursing school is a walk in the park, you must go in the program with the mindset that this is going to be one of the hardest challenges in my life therefore i cannot take it i slightly, you half to work for what you want so you can provide for your wife and future kids, i myself just started my BSN ad i having difficulty with biochemistry but i'm trying my best not to fail and i haven't so far so just work harder and get your confidence up.
What made you think that I thought nursing school would be a walk in the park? I have never said anything of that nature. I actually thought it would be the hardest thing in the world.
I know I have to work harder that's a given, but what I'm trying to figure out is other successful people's studying habits or suggestions. I'm sure I'm not the only person in my situation. Did anyone out that pull through after failing a few tests? A success stories out there?
I don't think the questions are poorly written....these are critical thinking NCLEX style questions. You will most likely see thesein any nursing program. When I first entered nursing clinicals I was amazed at how hard the questions were ( nothing like all the prereq class tests). I went from being an A student to a B student once I started clinicals. I must say they are terrifying...lol! Keep your head held high and study your butt off that's what I do. Also as someone else stated I bought the Test Sucess book and Lippencotts NCLEX review book and it seems to help a great deal! Just remember you can do anything you put your mind too. You are not a loser. Nursing is hard, if it wasnt it wouldn't be nursing. We have someone's life in our hands it's not like flipping burgers. I for one get frustrated myself but we will all succeed. Good luck to you and I hope u can make ur dreams come true!
I bought the book awhile ago and use it to practice.
I know it's not to suppose to be easy, but the questions have more than 1 right answer it's the "best answer" , which makes it so much harder.
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So then the questions only have ONE right answer. It's just up to you to be able to sift through all of that massive reading and find which is the one right answer. Get Kaplan NCLEX 20111-2012. Also Fundamentals to Success. Also Medical Surgical Success. They really do help. I read everything once then do questions, and more questions and more questions hope this helps. My advice do not give up until the drop date, and then only give up if your only 10 points below your passing grade because you won't be able to pass that semester..... Good luck!
Maybe its for the best. Nursing may not be what your family needs right now. What was your previous field? Put your family first and pray about it, if you are religious, and take the path that is the shortest to achieve happiness for you and your wife. It sounds like what you want is a baby and a family. Is there another field that you already have experience in that you could get a f/t job and start the family right now?
I would say go see your school's retention specialist.
You have to come around to thinking like a nurse.
Reasonable normal thinking won't get you the right answers.
Tell us about your tests. Are they nursing theory based...meaning situational questions...or are they the fact based questions...without the situation.
ex. CBC consists of which test: a) liver enzymes... b) c) d) ...
or
Mr jones, 37, comes to the ED complaining of dyspnea, increased urine OP and has bronze skin hue. These symptoms indicate the following disease process:
a) diabetes mellitus b) Cushings c) Addison's disease d) diabetes insipidus
(sorry I can't spell...working on it...lol)
One requires the basic knowledge...the other requires applying the basic knowledge..
give us more...and maybe we can give you some tips.
I would say go see your school's retention specialist.
You have to come around to thinking like a nurse.
Reasonable normal thinking won't get you the right answers.
Tell us about your tests. Are they nursing theory based...meaning situational questions...or are they the fact based questions...without the situation.
ex. CBC consists of which test: a) liver enzymes... b) c) d) ...
or
Mr jones, 37, comes to the ED complaining of dyspnea, increased urine OP and has bronze skin hue. These symptoms indicate the following disease process:
a) diabetes mellitus b) Cushings c) Addison's disease d) diabetes insipidus
(sorry I can't spell...working on it...lol)
One requires the basic knowledge...the other requires applying the basic knowledge..
give us more...and maybe we can give you some tips.
I having trouble actually with the situational questions that you stated. How do I go about answering this questions? I'm going to review my test tomorrow, so I will try and memorize some questions and post them tomorrow.
Right now my topics are Safety and Infection,Skin Integrity, Oxygenation and Mental Health and my test is in two weeks. In order for me to pass, I need to score an 80 on this test, 82 on the next test, and an 80 on the final. That will give me a 76.7. My school rounds so it will put me in a passing. My test is in 2 and a half weeks from today.
How would any of you handle this? My highest grade so far was a 70, which means I need to answer 5 more questions correctly or better and that will put me on the path to success.
Thank you everyone who took time out of there busy lives to help a complete stranger. Maybe one day I will have the honor of joining the ranks of the RN and post my experience, which might help a fellow student.
Please don't ever believe you are dumb for having a rough patch in your program. This website is here for a reason, and there is a 'student' section for all of us, who just like you, are struggling at some point or another. You deserve to be where you are ... no nursing program is easy to get into and you earned your way in. I hate to say it, but to quote my instructors, "nursing school isn't hard, it's just hard to learn to adjust." Not to down play all of the work that goes into it, but the trick is learning to adapt to the style of nursing school... and once you get it down it gets so much easier I swear! I haven't met a single person who did not struggle at first. I urge you to make frequent visits to your instructors ... they will appreciate your eagerness to improve. I wish you all the luck in the world!!
I am sorry to hear that you are struggling. I have been there, stressed out of my mind, and now I am nearing the end of the journey. You CAN do it. Pick yourself up and continue to work hard. It seems as if you are struggling with the NCLEX-style questions. You mention that you have a book, but have you really looked into it? It is worth your time. Read the strategies- ABCs, assess before implement, etc. I find that Kaplan and Hurst has great strategies. Then, start doing 50 questions a day and READ THE RATIONALES. After about 300 questions, I finally "got it". There really is a way to answer these questions and it takes practice to recognize them. I wish you the very best on your nursing school journey.
Hey Louis. Keep your head up. I know that may be difficult. Believe me- I sympathize with your position. I too am male, about the same age (29), and married. I do have young children, and I feel an immense amount of responsibility to get through this program. Luckily- I'm almost done, graduate in May, but I know how youre feeling. First and foremost, take a deep breath and try to clear your mind. I know it may be difficult, but youve got to move on from these tests, and prepare for the next one. I'm not sure you how study- but I'll tell you what I do. It works for me. I attend every lecture and take very detailed notes. I have a study group that I meet with AT LEAST 2-3 times per week. In study group, we read through every slide on the power points along with our notes- and we discuss (using the book), concepts that may be confusing. On top of that we do NCLEX questions. LOTS AND LOTS of NCLEX questions. We have a couple books, but also- whatever text youre using, you can probably buy a study guide online. Lastly, I make flash cards with things I feel are very important. I highlight them because I seem to remember concepts better when they are in color. I can think back and remember the colors on the cards and what concepts were on the card. Again- these things work for me. I hate to say it- but nursing school only gets more overwhelming, and more intense. But there IS a learning curve when youre in fundamentals.... and you CAN do it!! Again- I know how much pressure youre feeling with your home situation. I am reminded on the sacrifices my Wife and children make EVERY day for me to do this- but remember... we are doing this for them too. If you need any thing please dont hesitate to ask. Ill help any way I can. Youre not alone! Good luck!!
Well, I'm not in nursing school yet and I keep hearing the same things over and over again...NCLEX question style. Know it, learn it. The battle to any curriculum/class is knowing how to study and not just what to study.
You can be the smartest most logical thinker in the class, IMO, but if you don't know how the test will be structured you won't do well. In classes throughout my schooling, it always took me at least taking the first exam before I could say "oh, okay, I see how you are going to test us" and then make the appropriate adjustments. YOU CAN DO IT!! :) Those other tests are behind you...face forward and adjust for the next test. Don't look back...what's done is done and all those other cliches :)
louis345
12 Posts
What made you think that I thought nursing school would be a walk in the park? I have never said anything of that nature. I actually thought it would be the hardest thing in the world.
I know I have to work harder that's a given, but what I'm trying to figure out is other successful people's studying habits or suggestions. I'm sure I'm not the only person in my situation. Did anyone out that pull through after failing a few tests? A success stories out there?