has this happend to you?

I probably sound jaded but looking back I think nursing school mainly taught me How To Pass the NCLEX. Work is where I learned how to be a nurse. I have learned more from working with and observing the really good nurses at my job and modeling after them than I ever, ever ever would have learned from our nursing instructors, many of whom had not worked in a hospital in years, if at all.

In that vein, barely passing a test is not an indicator of how good a nurse you will be. If the question was unclear or poorly worded, that is not your fault. Take the points and keep going. Keep learning how to read the questions and look for what they are REALLY asking-nursing exams have some really oddball wording-I remember all the questions that would give a list of symptoms or indicators and then end with "the nurse knows that one of these is NOT what you're looking for...".

And it is hard. Passing a nursing exam by a hair is an achievement to be proud of. You passed.

You did it!!!!

I wouldn't worry about being off not even a whole point I bet your score will have nothing to do with how amazing a NURSE YOU CAN BE with patience, dedication and a caring heart you will far exceed that point in patient care!!!!!!

Congrats!!!!

What do you call an RN who graduates in the bottom third of the class? RN! (not that you will be in the bottom third)

I am sure with your conscientious effort you will do well. Your initial knowledge base is important but it will keep changing and growing throughout your practice.

Congratulations on passing the class. Who wants to pay to take a class over anyway?

Do not feel that you are undeserving, I have seen A+ student just up and quit and I have seen deserving students failed because a teacher did not like them. So honey that was a blessing in disguise.. just kick butt this semster:)!

I just finished my first semester of school and am beginning my second...At my school you need to get a 73 in order to pass. After my finals I calculated a final grade of 72.6 and realized I failed. However one of the questions was thrown out so I ended up with a 73.2. I can't help but feeling almost undeserving of moving forward and am wondering if anyone else has sqeeked by and how they felt about it.

Thanks

Dawn

Are you and I in the same program? 73 is the cut off as well. I know of someone in my nursing class who passed by one question as well. It has kicked him into overdrive to say the least.

I have also experience it as well. Not in the book/comprehension part in the clinical. I was told (via email) today that my past clinical instructor did not feel comfortable with my clinical skills, and now I feel like I squeaked by as well. It makes me nervous, and now I am paranoid that I won't be able to do well. I've been told that my clinical skills are in the middle of the road, and it is scary.

At this point, I would accept it and keep going. No sense in retaking a course that you passed. And also, a 72.6 would have been rounded up at my school...I think.

@ dawn fitz

its a grade. not an evaluation of yourself or your nursing abilities, try to see it that way. i'd accept it and move on. :)