Hmmmmm Why Do Nursing Students Fail?

Anoetos, BSN, RN · Apr 23, 2011

I thought about the question and was ready to give my answer and then I read all the posts and my answer hasn't fundamentally changed.

For every student who doesn't study hard enough and fails, there are are others who hardly study at all and skate through. Similarly, there are those who study their butts off and either fail or barely make it. So, I am not convinced that effort is the leading indicator here.

The number one reason, I believe, that nursing students fail is that they are never able to adjust effectively to nursing school/NCLEX style test questions. There are those who do well on tests but fail in clinical but I think they're rarer than those who, for whatever reason, are unable to answer the "two right answer" questions and "select alls" that populate our exams.

The person who said earlier that it is about their inability to adjust their expectations, that they fail because they want the system to conform to them rather than vv, well, I think there may be something to that in a certain number of cases too.

As for poor instructors, well, I repudiate that idea heartily. The vast majority of nursing instructors aren't really teachers and many of them have no business teaching. This is just a fact. But I came very early to the conclusion that only I am responsible for my success as a safe entry level nurse and that the primary, overarching, almost exclusive reason I am going to nursing school is to earn an ATT at the end of it. How I get there is up to them, but whether I do is up to me, and if I fail I will never blame them for it.

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Apr 23, 2011

My friend failed because English was her second language and so understanding the questions was very difficult for her, even though she read all her books and studied all the time.

Ughhh I had a friend with a similar problem and I felt so bad for her. I think she was so smart, I have taken tons of pre-req's with her where she would look up words for translation during lecture and still make great grades in super hard classes, but now she is almost failing nursing and I know it's not because she isn't smart enough or working hard enough

Sowhat105 · Apr 23, 2011

They fail because they futilely try to memorize all of the scientific facts, they start studying 5 days before a test, and still miserably fail. Use the nursing process, use Maslow, make nursing diagrams on the using the nursing process for diseases and such. It cut my studying time by 1/4 I study only for a few hours making my notecards in Pages , a day or 2 before the test. And review them the night before, memorization is useless!

whichone'spink, BSN, RN · Apr 23, 2011

From what I've seen, many fail because they did poorly on the exams, which make up at least 70% of our grade, or they failed clinicals. Most of the people I've seen fail was because of the exams.

Tree5981, ADN, BSN, MSN · Apr 24, 2011

I'm in the middle of the program right now and barely passing my class right now. The main reason people have failed in our class is simply because of the exams. Either they changed the format of the exam or the instructor does not give us the tools needed to learn more and study from. Its a little frustrating when people assume that you are failing because they think you are "cramming" or "not focused". I've done everything humanly possible aside from cheating just to keep my head above water in this class and I am definitely not alone. Its also a bit more challenging for some who work full time and have children to juggle everything. All you can do is not get discouraged and don't panic. Studying with a friend who is doing good on the exams I think helps too :)

Piglet68 · Apr 24, 2011

Its applied....so no like A&P which is memory based. Honestly I am struggling this second semester of clincials but now that I am at the final and had clinical experience I "GET IT" more than in the beginning of the semester. Hoping to pass this second semester.....it is not for the meek.

HCollier · Apr 24, 2011

Nursing is a completely different way of thinking and some people just cannot think like that. Its hard, but you just have to use your brain differently.

Tree5981, ADN, BSN, MSN · Apr 24, 2011

I completely agree. I've had to train my brain to think a totally different way. Plus I'm just a bad test taker anyway. I've had to buy books to help me with some techniques. It will all be over before we know it :)

Piglet68 · Apr 24, 2011

It is definitely a different way of thinking. I have a good friend who is a CNA and has been for 12 years and is truly struggling with the test but is amazing in clinical

Brekka, ADN, RN · Apr 24, 2011

I'm in the middle of the program right now and barely passing my class right now. The main reason people have failed in our class is simply because of the exams. Either they changed the format of the exam or the instructor does not give us the tools needed to learn more and study from. Its a little frustrating when people assume that you are failing because they think you are "cramming" or "not focused". I've done everything humanly possible aside from cheating just to keep my head above water in this class and I am definitely not alone. Its also a bit more challenging for some who work full time and have children to juggle everything. All you can do is not get discouraged and don't panic. Studying with a friend who is doing good on the exams I think helps too :)

Exactly!I too find it frustrating when people say that, especially when it's your instructors. There have been several instances during clinicals where my nursing instructors would tell us that the students who are failing aren't trying hard enough, essentially saying that it's their fault they aren't passing. I agree, in some way, shape, or form, it is usually the student or a problem the student has that is causing problems. It's the accusations that the student is making the choice to fail that I really have problems with.

I'm currently fine in nursing, and am one of the top 3 students, though it is pharmacology that is getting to me. And I get the same thing over and over, how somehow I want to fail and waste thousands of dollars and years of my life. I have student loans, I have sacrificed family and friends (not literally, shh) to follow this dream. I have spent thousands of dollars to move from my home state to attend the program, spent almost as much on a house as I have my books, and not to mention the lost time for paid work. With all I have put into this, and as much as I want it, why would I intentionally sabotage it? I wouldn't!

I too have done everything possible, from talking to my instructors, tutoring, and studying my a$$ off, as well as several things in between. I've tried different study methods, and I spend every free moment, save for the random 15 minute break, studying. I record my lectures and take great notes, and thanks to Livescribe, I can listen to lecture and take new notes if needed. All this effort I am taking to keep my head above water, and I am just barely getting by. Does that mean I really want to fail, or that I'm lazy? NO!

Basically, for the failing student, realize that as long as you are making every possible effort to pass and are still struggling, it doesn't mean that you aren't trying your hardest. And to the successful student looking down, realize the same thing, and don't make snap judgments of the struggling student. A struggling student isn't a bad student, and the struggling students tend to be some of the best nurses.

Bite your pride, and offer a helping hand to your fellow students when they need it. Nursing isn't a solo occupation, it's a team effort, so support your teammates.

Piglet68 · Apr 24, 2011

I don't want to fail by any means. I have a prior 4 year degree....a B.A. and lots of business experience. I gave up a job making more money than I will as an R.N. because I want it.....I want it bad. The test are no joke. They are difficult and I am trying hard to change how I think. It really is about re-training how you take test and how you think. I will walk away knowing that the nurses that take care of me in the future are brillant....no doubt!

JBMmom, MSN, NP · Apr 25, 2011

What I see as a major contributor is this feeling of "Just being there" is enough. Tooamy students ate trying to squeeze this into their busy lives (in addition to providing for themselves and family). For some there are not enough hours in the day. The class o teach is 9 credits; by no means I'd this considered part time (5 hours lecture, 12 hours clinical per week), but students schedule their lives like it is. And unfortunately? Some will use this mantra throughout their time in school (but I work all day before coming here? But I have 2 kids at home). If it is too much, you need to give up something, you can't just expect that it will all work out.

I've never thought of it from that viewpoint. I'm one of the students "fitting it in", I work full time, I have three children and I'm not doing as well as I probably should because of it. I'm getting Bs, and with the effort I'm putting forth, that's all I deserve. I have, however, NEVER said that there are any unreasonable expectations of students regarding the workload. I chose nursing school, knowing that I would have to maintain my employment and as much of a family balance as I can. I certainly hope that I'm building the basis for a competent, safe career in nursing. I may wish I was making more time to focus on school, but it is what it is. And right now I'm not making more of an effort, so the wishing is just that.