HELP!!! how do I get better grades in nursing school?

[vikky lena]

Hello,

I recently started the accelerated BSN track this fall. I have a BS in public health and I went right back to school. Shortly after I graduated, I contemplated on either going back to nursing school or getting a masters in public health. But after much research, I figured nursing would be a better option because it offers so many opportunities and I could make more impact with a clinical background. Well, I had no problem getting in an MPH program. However, I was wait-listed for nursing school and I eventually got in.

Now that I'm in the program, I am really struggling in general. I am currently passing my classes but I have failed my pathopharmacology exam two times in a row. I got a C- on two of the exams and this is driving me crazy. I try to find better ways to study but obviously it's not working. I just feel like because I was on the wait list, I do not deserve to be in the program. Everyone is so smart and I feel so dumb. I really don't want to give up but honestly, I feel stressed to the max and severely depressed. I'm contemplating if nursing is what I really want or maybe I should just continue the public health track. I'm thinking of quitting and getting a job with my public health degree and maybe go back to school for my MPH but I already have so much in student loans. Also, I don't want to let my family members and people who are counting on me down. I also don't want to look back 5 years from now and regret my decision. Please I'm just looking for thoughts or suggestions of what to do to find motivation to keep pushing through. I don't want to be a quitter but I am afraid that I am headed that route.

[SierraBravo]

I attended an accelerated BSN program, too. I was also waitlisted and ended up graduating with honors and then being accepted into the NP program at the same school. Don't give up. Meet with your professor(s) and discuss ways you can be successful. Also, do you have a cohort peer mentor? Are there any support services at your school? Have you become friends with anyone in your cohort? One of the most important things to do, in my opinion, when starting an accelerated program is to identify and get together with a small group of people that you click with. They can be a tremendous source of support as well as study partners. Since you've been through 2 exams, you know what to expect in terms of rigor and types of questions. Apply the nursing process and assess what you are doing that is not resulting in success, create a plan that will help you become successful, implement that plan, and then evaluate your progress. Pathophysiology and pharmacology, at this stage of the game, are not much more than memorization.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

SSlamaster's advice is very good.

Also, is there anything at home that might be hindering you? Any responsibilities for children, aged parents, etc.? Holding down a job?

Anything else? If at all possible, get free of these other responsibilities so you can focus on you and school solely.

Do you need to counsel with your religious/spiritual leaders/mentors? Sometimes we just need to talk, not so much seek advice, but just to talk things over, have a sounding board.

Does it help you to write/journal?

Whichever way you choose, I wish you all the best.

[vikky lena]

Thanks so much for your advice. Did you work while in the program? Also, what are some of the ways that you prepared for the exam because I feel like I study so much random stuff that I don't end up remembering the important facts.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Welcome!

Nursing is unlike any other discipline. It's tough is many ways. Don't give up talk with your instructors. Hang in there!

Go to this thread for some excellent flashcards....Pharmacology Flashcards

[SierraBravo]

Thanks so much for your advice. Did you work while in the program? Also, what are some of the ways that you prepared for the exam because I feel like I study so much random stuff that I don't end up remembering the important facts.

I did work throughout the program even though they told us not to. Sure, it would have been nice to have that additional 20 hours a week to study but I did well nonetheless. I prepared for the exams by going over the powerpoints (which I used to take notes in class) and then I read the chapters from the text. I took notes from the text while I was reading it and merged it with my notes on the powerpoints from the class, that way I had everything in one place and I could review it easily before the test. It took alot of work and discipline and it seemed to work for me. Understand the overall themes and ideas, then start to drill down and memorize facts.