Feeling discouraged...

RedSox33RN · Sep 14, 2004

We haven't taken any tests yet, so I don't know what is a normal percentage, but that does seem like a high number of failures or low grades.

Do you think it is the teaching method? It seems to me if you've done well in the past, you know how to study. Although we were told that nursing courses are a WHOLE different ball of wax. Even today in lecture the prof said, "Gee, wouldn't it be NICE to be like the sub-culture of normal students here at our college? They go to class a couple times a week for 2 hours, and they're done. Here you guys are, rushing here and there, going to lab, going to clinical, AND going to science classes and English classes." She is so right. I'm doing more work now for my 8 credit Fundamentals course than I did for 14 credits of English and Math and Med. Term last semester. Sort of funny...

Anyway, hopefully the teaching staff will recognize the problem, and offer to help. And now that you have seen a test, and what they are looking for (book stuff, lecture stuff, etc.), you will know what to concentrate on for exam #2.

I was wishing, as we started Unit 3 today, that they would give us an exam already. I DETEST saving it all up so we have to do 4 or 5 at a time.

Katnip, RN · Sep 14, 2004

If 72% of a class failed, something is wrong with either the test or the teacher, not the students. I would think every responsible educator would agree.

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Sep 14, 2004

I know I don't post much, but do lurk on here very often!
I started the ADN nursing program 3 weeks ago....took 3 medical terminolgy quizzes, got all A's (10/10) on all them...butttt, we took our first big test, 100 questions on what we learned the first few weeks. Well, it tunred out that 72% of our class failed (overall % was 60%)....yes, 72% of us got under a C (I got a low D)....we went to class today, and talked to one of the main instructors, and told her that during her lecture, we don't really learn much when she talks...she goes on and on and on about her personal life and gets off the topic in discussion quickly.
Does that statistic for failing seem kinda high to you? I am feeling very discouraged, because my "overall" grade in the class is now a C, so i am completely stressed out, and this is only the beginning of the semester. The rest of the class is about the same grade....how weird is that.
Just wanted to vent....thanks for listening....:uhoh21:

When I was in nursing school (graduated in 2000 with my RN) - many of us felt that the tests were really unfair. We (several of us) went to the main instructor for the semester and asked her if should would re-test or at least provide a curve for the test. Much of the test was not material she had covered in class. She looked at us with disgust and said in no uncertain terms ... "if you read the course sylabus, you would have realized that any material that is included in the class, lecture, clinical or in the course reading is fair game for testing." "I would suggest that you spend more time reading rather than complaining."

With that we turned on our heels and got out of her way! She was a tough lady and not many of us wanted to cross her. As we progressed thought the course - there were a number of students that were failing out .... we would get together and try to support these folks, but in the end, they failed and that was the way it was.

As I look back, I realized that I never got the grades that I wanted to when in the core nursing classes. Prior to the core nursing classes, I was a 4.0 GPA. I graduated from RN school with a 3.48 GPA, but worked harder for that GPA than I had ever worked for anything in my life. I learned a great deal and attribute much of my learning and success in nursing to the mean instructor. Today, I have a healthy respect for what she did to us during our first semester. She made us tough and never took "I can't" or "I don't know" for an answer. She has sence retired and I talk with her once in a while .... but for the first 2 semesters, I was discouraged and never thought I would make it past her classes. Imagine my SHOCK :chair: when I had her for my last semester. But, I was determined to graduate with or without her support! It turned out that she gave me a lot of support.

Hope my experience helps you .... it does not get easier ... don't expect it too :eek: . Spend more time reading and studying the material. You will do fine as long as you are realistic in your expectations from yourself and from your instructors. Most of all - keep the faith and stay committed and strong! Good luck.

ADNCyn · Sep 14, 2004

WOW, that is a high failure rate... IMHO, it is more important to concern yourself with yourself and what you could have done differently to be in the 28% that pass. This experience would make you a stronger student and once you realize what is expected of YOU, then you will understand what YOU need to do to be above the passing rank. Overall GPA means nothing it doesn't matter as long as you can see("C", per class) your way through and get your diploma... The mother of all tests is the NCLEX, so get to that test and you are set. Hope this helps you... Good luck and keep the faith.

shortsteph12 · Sep 14, 2004

We had 15 students in my class and 7 of us failed. Not bad 74, 3 73's ( I was one of them) and a 72,71 & 65. I think the girl that got the 65 should have dropped because just to get a 75 overall she has to get what a 85? But anyway that was a wake up call to me, I realized that there were some stuff in the reading that she didn't talk a bout but they were there. Hopefully I will be able to pass the next 3 tests and move on. But let me tell you I am quite stressed ! So to make a long story short I am sure that your class will do better next time due to the difference of Nursing tests

manna, BSN, RN · Sep 14, 2004

I guess I'm fortunate in this area. After each exam, our junior level (BSN program) faculty goes through the tests with a fine-toothed comb. If a certain percentage of the class missed a certain question, or if there was a typo or similar problem, questions are often "thrown out" and our grades curved accordingly. We also have what's called "co-op tests" that can help add up to 2 points to our test grade.

If I were in your situation, I'd be speaking with the instructor or my advisor again.

DeanG · Sep 14, 2004

Our first exam over 1/2 the class got a D, I some how managed a C, but on our second test, only 2 out of 40 students got D's. It may get better! Now you know what to expect, hang in there, study hard, and you'll do better next time. Good Luck!

purplemania, BSN, RN · Sep 14, 2004

I would talk to the Director or Dean to see if anything can be done. For instance, if you know the test questions are coming out of a "bank" from the textbook publisher then you can study the test, using your objectives from the syllabus, and will probably do well without a lecture. If the instructor makes up her own tests you need to pin her to the wall and get her back on track. Just say, "I have a question, Mrs. Jones---" then ask the question without referring to her personal comments. I know this is frustrating, but in truth the successful nurses are the ones who learn on their own.

MLK RN · Sep 14, 2004

It WILL get better...Trust me I just Graduated in May, we had a teacher like you did and u know what if it gets worse, talk to the other instructors or the director of the program.. YOUR pretty pennies are payin for that education whether its the teacher or the test..you have the right to speak up!

:nono:

Good Luck God Bless!

Gampopa · Sep 14, 2004

Couldn't agree more Purplemania. My biggest disappointment with my program (so far, and I'm starting the 2nd yr) is the poor quality of the teachers and instructors. I'm in a Nursing Care of Child Bearing Families clinical and have to teach myself the content The instructor, although a competant nurse with over 20 yrs. experience, can not lecture to the course material. I wouldn't bother going to the lecture but attendence is part of the grade. I'm dependent on the text book which is in my opinion poorly written. Of all the teachers I've had 3 were an A, several B- C, and a couple Fs. :uhoh3:

NurseBunky · Sep 14, 2004

I just had my first exam in an ADN program about two weeks ago and did well. Keep in mind..nursing exams are totally different then regular knowledge/memory based exams we are use to. There's a book called Test Success for Begining Nursing Students that helped me out a great deal in studying how to take a nursing school exam. I also bought the Saunder's NCLEX book for more test questions. The people in my study group make up application type questions to ask eachother over things we've had lectures on. Keep in mind..it's just the first exam. Now you know what to expect on the exams that follow. Keep your head up..study a little harder and I'm sure you'll get through this. Just take eveything one day at a time.