I am DISSAPOINTED in myself...

science in flowers · Jul 31, 2013

It scares me that you got to your last semester without knowing your stuff. I'm not sure what advice to tell you. Maybe get a cna job?

allnurses Guide · Jul 31, 2013

Wow, this is a tough position to be in for you, and I am sure it is very stressful.

I can offer a few opinions:

1. It could be that you know more than you think you do.

2. You still have time to really buckle down a d start learning the how and why.

3. You can/should reach out for help.

4. The NCLEX will be the threshold for you: if you don't understand things you won't (likely) pass the NCLEX, if you pass then you can be comforted in knowing that you do meet the bare minimum competence at least.

Jenngirl34RN · Jul 31, 2013

I would suggest that if your school has any open skills lab time (mine does at least once or twice a week) that you take that time to really, really work on your skills.

DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2013

Nursing school is all about understanding the whole concept, not memorizing! The very first day of class, the Dean of the Nursing School told us that we would not have to memorize a thing for this program. You have to think big picture, don't just memorize what you have been taught in class. For example, let's say your professor lectures on Asthma. It is not enough to memorize every slide or every word they spoke. You need to take what she has taught you, and apply it to everything else you know. 90% of the questions on my exams, are things the professor NEVER speaks about in class, we have to learn what she taught us, and apply it to the big picture. It took most of my class a semester to understand this type of learning (some are still struggling). Every lecture builds on what you have already learned. THE WAY TO STUDIED IN YOUR PRE-REQS IS NOT SUFFICIENT FOR NURSING SCHOOL

Second, about the skills... I won't say that skills aren't important, because they are, but I have experienced that I learn more when I am in the clinical setting. When you get a job as an RN, your facility might have a policy to do a skill completely different. Some skills you learn in school (changing dressings for me), and in three semesters I have never had to do it in clinicals.

Good luck, hang in there!

DoeRN · Jul 31, 2013

Sounds like you need to pull out those text books and start reading and understanding the material. Not trying to be harsh but even if you do manage to pass NCLEX you don't sound safe enough to start actually caring for patients.

Do us and yourself a favor and start reading your books. Stop looking for the easy way out. We hold people's lives in our hands and you absolutely have to know what you are doing.

And if your program isn't accredited you probably won't be able to sit for boards.

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NurseKis, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2013

thank you I am planning to do this while i am on break. But My problem is only with medsurg. I have passed everything so far and I do understand the material, But med surg always gets me. THank you. I truly thank you all for your responses.

BoomerSooner31 · Aug 1, 2013

I think one of the best ways to study to learn the material is to study your notes for about 30 min-1hr each night. Then write out any concepts or words that you don't quite understand and look it up in your book. If you have any extra time, I like to use a mini white board to study. At the top I write the main topic such as Renal Calculi and below I write everything I know about it including: how to diagnose, sign and symptoms, complications, treatment, and nursing care. Then go back through your notes and see what you are missing. It really helps you learn the information for more than just a test. I've been making great, solid grades since I started doing that. Good luck!

sjalv · Aug 1, 2013

I don't have much advice to offer but just curious, how did you manage to get through by just memorizing the material? Our tests are all based on critical thinking and application of knowledge. We are usually given scenarios regarding specific illnesses, priorities or nursing actions and have to use the information given to choose the best answer. All answers are correct, but one is more correct than all the others. I thought all nursing schools were like this?

momof2ns · Aug 1, 2013

Open lab time sounds like a good option for you.

DoeRN · Aug 1, 2013

And if you are using a test bank and I assume you are not an instructor, this could be considered cheating. If this is the case for you then how do you expect to pass NCLEX? You can't use a test bank for actual NCLEX questions. You have to know the material and be able to apply that material to pass NCLEX. If you spend all that time memorizing test bank questions you could be spending that time studying the material in your text books and class notes.

There were some students in my school who were using test bank questions. And one silly student printed them out and was studying them at clinicals for an upcoming test! And by silly I mean she was silly to be cheating and silly to have brought her cheating material to clinicals where it could be discovered. Well the clinical instructor happened to be the class instructor. Needless to say it was ugly and when she went down she took a bunch of people with her. One person tried to sue the school but yeah they didn't win.

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OCNRN63, RN · Aug 1, 2013

It's very disconcerting that you are having these problems so close to graduation, and that you are in a non-accredited school. Are you going to be able to sit for NCLEX if you graduate? All your work could be for naught.