Help !Can't pass one class to graduate.

What class do you need to pass? If the problem has been health related then why do you think yiu won't pass once you are healthy?

Med/surge 2 - critical care/ICU .. because even though it was health related (mental).. I didn't do well on my first two exams this past semester. But I am not sure exactly since I was added a new medication during that time too. And I struggled to pass through the program. I am just afraid something will happen and I'll mess up.

Med/surge 2 - critical care/ICU .. because even though it was health related (mental).. I didn't do well on my first two exams this past semester. But I am not sure exactly since I was added a new medication during that time too. And I struggled to pass through the program. I am just afraid something will happen and I'll mess up.

Med surg 2 is a hard class. Maybe it isn't your illness or meds that is in your way.

What are your study habits like? Have you sought extra help? Does your school offer tutoring?

I just read through the PowerPoint notes and if I don't understand a certain section I read it in the text.. help is offered by instructors but I feel I need a lot of time but instructors recommend studying in a group or have a friend who is doing well to help but I don't think that helps me because I'm in a different page and I've done it before for a short time but I've done better without the study groups and people are usually not interested. They don't offer tutoring for this class.

I am sorry you are having a difficult time. Since you only have one class to go, it would be a shame to give up. However, if you are having health issues that make it hard for you to study, then you need to get that squared away first. It can take time to adjust to medications and it can also take time for your doctor to get you on the right medications and dosages. Therefore, you should talk to your doctor about this and get their opinion on when you will be ready for school. Since you had medical issues, the school should allow you to retake this class when you are able to. It's not the end of the world if you take longer to get through nursing school. In addition, nursing schools want to have high graduation rates, so it is in their best interest for you to graduate.

With regard to your academic performance, how has it been? Have you just barely gotten by or were you a good student until now? I'll be blunt - you aren't studying enough. How can you expect to do well if you only look at the Powerpoints and barely look at the book? Since you have taken 2 exams in this class, you should know what your strengths and weaknesses are. That should guide you in how to do better. Also, is the problem that you don't really know the material or that you are a poor test-taker?

My advice: a study group can be helpful, but it is not absolutely necessary. 1) Your instructor should provide learning objectives for the course overall and for each lecture. Make sure you know the material for the learning objectives! 2) You must read the book BEFORE the class. Yes, read the book! Why else do you think you bought it? For a paper weight? So, before the lecture, read the assigned readings! 3) Most textbooks have a study guide you can buy that has sample questions and additional exercises - buy it and use it! 4) Use additional study resources such as Khan Academy, Youtube, etc. 5) Buy an NCLEX review book like Saunders and use it in conjunction with your text so you are more prepared for the exams. 6) Talk to your professor and ask their advice! 7) You may have to pay someone to tutor you.

Nursing is very hard, which is why nursing school is hard. Nursing school is also there to weed out people. You really need to think about if nursing is for you. Or maybe you are not ready for nursing school at this time, but will be ready once you have dealt with your personal issues. Based on your posts, you sound "out of it" and that is a safety issue. So work on your health first, then look at finishing nursing school when you are physically and mentally healthy. Good luck.

Thank you for the advice and feedback. I would definitely get a tutor, which will probably be my best option at this point. I do get very anxious and nervous when I take an exam.

One my friends in nursing school had the same problem - nervous about taking tests. He really knew the material and was a kind caring person with a great bedside manner. He just got so nervous during exams he would do poorly for no other reason. Our school was very supportive and he took some time off, retook his last classes and graduated a year later and is a great RN! It's normal to feel some anxiety before and during a test, but if you think it is interfering with your grades, then try to learn some stress relief techniques like positive visualization and deep breathing. Talk to your healthcare provider about this. There are also a lot of resources online to help manage stress. So, if it takes longer, so what? Good luck!