Struggling And Unsure ... Temporarily

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Specializes in LTC/Sub Acute Rehab.

Ok. So we are ending our 5th week of a 12 week quarter. I have officially (as of today) failed my 2nd mother-baby test (score increased ) and failed my first med-surg test (8 points below minimum passing) with the next one this coming week. For both of the first tests, I made the same mistake twice; which was trying to write all the "important" information to the point of, not covering all the required chapters and left with only 1 day to study. Trust me, I know better but unconsciously fell into it.

Now, I'm just at a loss at how to study, what to study, and how long to study. To add insult to injury, both of my instructors (one more than the other) lecture word for word out of the book instead of introducing and elaborating each concept which isn't helping me. I do the homework but, it doesn't count until you have an average of minimum passing for exams.

With all that said, I'm seriously considering dropping OB (2 exams left not including specialty) or, dropping all together and walking away. I really want my RN but I don't want to fail (can only fail 2 nursing classes then dismissed from the program) and I most definitely don't want to drop temporarily only to return to THE SAME INSTRUCTORS who I'm not really learning from. Plus, I don't want to be potentially placed on financial aid probation.

I'm upset, highly frustrated, and confused.

When I was in school I bought several of the "made incredibly easy" books (example: Medical Surgical Nursing Made Incredibly Easy. I felt like they helped me understand better, of course I studied the class material too, but it was a great supplement and made more sense. Also, get some classmates and study together!

Specializes in LTC/Sub Acute Rehab.

It won't hurt to try. Thanks.

When I was in school i strggled in OB also. My final test was either going to pass or fail me, and it was not until then i realized how I should study. When studing for nursing test or taking the test always think about your interventions. if something is wrong what can you do. for example in ob you notice early decelerations on the monitor. what should you do as a nurse for that patient. and another thing to keep in mind. what should you do first!

There are 2 things to focus on. Vocabulary and the "goal" of the chapter.

If there is tutoring available at the school, use their services.

Good luck!

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

I would hesitate to place such responsibility for your grades on the instructors. Dropping out and hoping for "better" instructors is not really a productive plan. Who knows - you might get instructors who frustrate you even more.

Focus on your study skills. PP's have given you suggestions on how to improve your focus.

Talk to a counselor. You need help from the school right now.

Do you receive a list of objectives with each class? If you can answer the objectives, you can pass the test.

Ask questions during lecture! Bring up any concepts you are having difficulty with.

You say you do your homework, but you're " not covering all the required chapters". What does that mean?

Specializes in LTC/Sub Acute Rehab.
I would hesitate to place such responsibility for your grades on the instructors. Dropping out and hoping for "better" instructors is not really a productive plan. Who knows - you might get instructors who frustrate you even more.

Focus on your study skills. PP's have given you suggestions on how to improve your focus.

I'm not considering withdrawing then re-enrolling to hope for different instructors. You misunderstood what I was saying. If I drop and return, the same instructors will be teaching the class. My current situation is not solely "their fault." I have taken responsibility for my part in the problem.

Specializes in ICU.

Are there things the instructors may emphasize or may repeat during lecture that could give you clues on what to study? Do they do power points? Are you paying attention or just trying to write stuff down? Just because you are writing notes doesn't mean you are absorbing the lecture. If the instructor just lectures from the book use highliters and those little flags instead of trying to take notes. Highlight what is important and you think might be important, then flag especially important pages. Maybe those with charts of important information. After the lecture, go back and make flash cards of what you think you might need to study.

Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I found the Mary Hogan series of books really helpful. She has one for almost any topic. On amazon, I found the Maternal-Newborn, 2nd ed for $7

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_pg_2?rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Ahogan+nursing+books&page=2&keywords=hogan+nursing+books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414584696

I used this series to pass school and the NCLEX.

Specializes in LTC/Sub Acute Rehab.
Talk to a counselor. You need help from the school right now.

Do you receive a list of objectives with each class? If you can answer the objectives, you can pass the test.

Ask questions during lecture! Bring up any concepts you are having difficulty with.

You say you do your homework, but you're " not covering all the required chapters". What does that mean?

Receiving objectives before each class....No. I tried to find the answers to the objectives at the beginning of the chapter (that's how I would study normally)but, that's how I got caught up with so much information that I was unable to fish studying the other chapters covered in lecture that day; I was doing the objectives plus trying to cover the topics in detail that she lectured on because it's vague. She is basically reading the book word for word with little to no elaboration for complete understanding. I sit in front of her every class and ask questions if it seems unclear at the moment. I record her lectures too; I noticed that I missed extra things but it's really her talking extremely fast reading the book.

The instructor is aware of what's going with me because we have spoken about it. I asked if she would go over my test to see why i failed (knowledge application, client needs.....) and for a focused study guide for everyone . When we had class again, i asked if she was able to look at my test she said "no" but she had a massive photocopied packet from some study guide.

Understand when I say this is not just a "me" issue. I know of 6 others, 3 of who are above average students consistently. All of who are in the same position as myself.

Specializes in LTC/Sub Acute Rehab.
Are there things the instructors may emphasize or may repeat during lecture that could give you clues on what to study? Do they do power points? Are you paying attention or just trying to write stuff down? Just because you are writing notes doesn't mean you are absorbing the lecture. If the instructor just lectures from the book use highliters and those little flags instead of trying to take notes. Highlight what is important and you think might be important, then flag especially important pages. Maybe those with charts of important information. After the lecture, go back and make flash cards of what you think you might need to study.

That's what I did yesterday after the test. I just opened my book and highlighted while recording the lecture. No pens, no paper. As far as making flash cards...I can. I didn't yesterday because I was too stressed and upset.

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