I canNOT throw in the towel on these 3 students

That's a tough one...it sounds like you have already gone above and beyond what other instructors would do...I would explain the situation in detail to the students and explain how much you're putting into it, and how you expect them to do the same and then some...I'm sure there are some online groups/tutoring they can participate in....I hope it works out

Oh, I was also going to suggest that maybe they can find some kind of internship, whether formal or informal where they can be putting some of this information into practice. I know some of my students have improved DRASTICALLY when they work somewhere and are able to put theory, lecture, and clinical all into one picture. They could work as a unit sectretary (or shadow one), getting used to entering orders,etc...or maybe help out in a doctors office....or outpatient clinic over the summer...even if for a few hours, it might really help things "click"...if you're lucky enough to be around research centers (for example, we have Hershey Med), you might be able to get them to tag along with one of the research students and help with some of that work...yes, all of that is extra work, but I do think it helps..some students, especially my older, adult students don't do well if they can't put it "all together"...it's one of the reasons, I'm thinking of offering some off-campus, possibly online classes, like test-taking strategies, studying for NCLEX, tutoring, time management, etc...all specifically designed for nursing students (because the general ones don't hit the stressors and specific problems the nursing students have)....unfortunately our school cut back on many of these programs and don't want to pay to have us do it, but I think if I kept it inexpensive, it would greatly benefit the students....and many of them really can do it, it's just getting through the tests, the test anxiety, the theory, etc...but I mostly I know which ones are going to make good nurses and it's not always the ones getting A's and B's in class..sometimes the one's struggling in class are awesome on the clinical floor and just need some extra confidence, help with studying, sometimes ADHD techniques for adults, etc....Good luck! Let us know what works/doesn't work...

Do they do what you ask them to do, to improve their latching-onto the information? Are they doing everything THEY can do to improve? Sometimes instructors make a tremendous time and energy investment that students don't value. Maybe these students aren't that sort...

I do everything in my power for students who are trying with their whole heart. Otherwise I kind of follow their lead. First step is to try to get to the "why" of the failure or near-failure.

Does your school have a tutoring program? If so, you might refer them to that.

It's good to involve as many senses as possible. Have them read their notes outloud. Have them organize their notes/re-write them. Have them listen to tapes. Have them take notes on the book. Have them quiz each other. I know there's only so much time in the world...

I'm glad you are a teacher.

Update:

We had a conference with the 3. Probed things like: 1) Are you working nights or too many hours and are you approaching your school work like a full time job? 2) How exactly do you study? 3) Why are you not recording the lectures? etc.

There are 3 instructors. Before we had the conference we listed how WE got through nursing school. It turns out we all three absorbed information slightly differently. One of my colleagues is VERY dyslexic. She absorbs by listening over and over, and then writing notes down. I am very kinetic/spatial. I write and write and then write over what I've written, then take notes on my notes etc. My other colleague is a mix.

BUT the one thing we ALL had in common (and what ALL three of the students are not doing) is writing summary notes. They are not taking notes on their readings. They are not re-listening to the lectures and amplifying their notes. They just have the power point hand-outs and take (some) notes during the lecture then they "go over" the material before tests. Well... Q.I.D.

So, we are going to meet with the students every week and look hard at the notes they are taking and figure out how they are using the notes they have. We'll see how it goes. The kids seem willing. I hope this is the direction they need. Maybe they just never learned how to study hard.

I'll try to keep updating this thread because if we hit a snag, maybe one of you guys will be able to see what we're doing wrong. Or perhaps during the semester, you may have some success in similar situations and you could share your methods.

I didn't mention previously that all 3 of these students do work in health care. One is a tech in an outpt. dialysis unit, one is a CNA in a Rehab hospital. The other one works in a clinic. So, you would think some of this material would ring some bells, but... still, they have not been able to make those cognitive connections.