I fail Everything!!! How could I ever be a nurse?

Violach · May 29, 2013

I would recommend getting together with a study buddy to go over the material. Sometimes it's easier to understand and retain the material when you talk about it. Also, try to find and use a lot of visual aids - YouTube Videos, etc. to aid you in understanding concepts. Videos always help me bc I am more of a visual learner. Good luck!!! You can do it!!!

NicuRN628 · May 30, 2013

Definitely go and talk to your professors. They should be willing to help you out and give you advice to help you succeed. You could also take tests online to find out which ways you learn best, for example some people are visual learners while some people thrive off of auditory learning. Find what way works best for you, and put in the effort to get the grade. When you think you can't study anymore, study some more. Your number one priority as a nursing student is to learn the material, pass your classes, and be prepared for the NCLEX. You can always put in more effort, no matter how much effort you have already put in. That little extra bit of effort might make the difference between passing and failing.

NurseKis, BSN, RN · May 30, 2013

i am pretty bad at everything. Also at answering Nclex Type questions. I feel like I am just lucky when it comes to some tests and I have not failed becausee I dont know how.

NurseKis, BSN, RN · May 30, 2013

My proffesors are not very helpful. All they say is that we need to get a 80 to pass. They are very rude too. My school is new, there's not tutoring or even a counselor.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 2, 2013

That is unfortunate. Is there a way for you to find a tutor from outside? And if not, and are having a difficult time grasping the material *sigh* is there a way of taking a break, and returning at a later date??? I'm sure you want to continue, but if you are failing to the point that you are on your way out, then, that is an option.

If you want to stay in, I encourage you looking on Kaplan's website for test taking strategies, they are free, and review NCLEX style questions, and review the rationales as well. You need a tutor stat, and if you can google critical thinking and nursing judgement. Great book to have to help with critical thinking, organizing thoughts and assisting to help think like a nurse.

I want you to be able to successful...you are in a rock and a hard place, and it will be up to you to rise to the challenge and help yourself...I also find it unusual that your professors do not want you to be successful. I would take issue with that. Is there something else going on?? This school is taking your tuition to ensure your education as a nurse...I would think they would help you organize strategies, even books...I've had that happen, hence the suggestion of the book critical thinking, not just simply say "get an 80 and pass". They helped you by giving you extra credit.

I am concerned if this goes on, either you will not pass, or with the extra credit, you will have difficulty in passing the NCLEX because you are not grasping nursing contents to the point to practice safely as a nurse.

Schedule a meeting and make a decision on what will be best for you. Sending positive vibes in success in whatever you choose.

Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM · Jun 2, 2013

HI everyone. I am supposed to graduate this December. I am in Med Surg 2 and I still do not succeed in anything. I always fail the tests. And at the end of the semester I am never sure whether i WILL pass or fail. i AM very discouraged. If i keep failing tests i dont think i should become a nurse. I read everything, practice NCLEX style questions yet I fail. Some of my classmates are telling me to use tests banks, but I know that's wrong. I really wanted to be a nurse. But i am highly doubting myself now. I suck at everything.

Are you reading everything or reviewing everything? Are you making notes to where you understand the entire concept?

Do you take notes during class..detailed ones? I was often surprised at how many students do not know how to take notes.

Do you have a copy of the Saunders NCLEX guide? Are you doing about 200 questions per test? If not, you are not testing enough.

Do you just check or see if you got the question right or READ the rationale----this is very important. You may get the question right...but do you know WHY you got it right? You have ot know this or if you get the same question in a different format, you'll miss it.

Have you set an appointment with your professor and went over the exam in detail to find out why you missed certain things? Most students have an overall pattern.

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Jun 2, 2013

Are you reading everything or reviewing everything? Are you making notes to where you understand the entire concept?
Do you take notes during class..detailed ones? I was often surprised at how many students do not know how to take notes.
Do you have a copy of the Saunders NCLEX guide? Are you doing about 200 questions per test? If not, you are not testing enough.
Do you just check or see if you got the question right or READ the rationale----this is very important. You may get the question right...but do you know WHY you got it right? You have ot know this or if you get the same question in a different format, you'll miss it.
Have you set an appointment with your professor and went over the exam in detail to find out why you missed certain things? Most students have an overall pattern.

These are the exact questions I would ask of a student who came to me concerned about their failing grade.

But it seems the OP's replies are very short and generic. Not doing well, doesn't know anything, 'lucky' when he/she passes a test.

OP, can I ask you if English is your primary language? The way you are presenting yourself makes me think that it might not be. If this is the case, perhaps this is the problem? And this is going to make it twice as hard for you.

If all of your instructors are mean and rude to you, then you need to go higher up, to the dean, director, chairperson. As much as you don't think this, your school has a vested interest in your success.

You've gotten a lot of advice here, but until you can give us a general idea of where your problems are, it's hard to give specific advice. As someone else said, there is no magic answer. You have to work for it.

Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM · Jun 2, 2013

The biggest advice to give a nursing student is this:

Nursing classes are not like any other classes you'll have in any other subject. When you take other tests, there is only one "correct" answer...on a nursing test, all 4 or 5 answers may be correct, but you have to choose which one you would do first, which one is top priority or the most life threatening concern.

With the exception of A&P, my nursing classes were the most difficult classes of any that I had ever taken. They required more work. #1 dropout reason, was students that treated these classes like the rest of them. They underestimated the level of work that was involved, made their job their #1 priority, boyfriend, etc.

I cannot even begin to tell you what all I sacrificed. It was almost heartbreaking when a group of my friends would take off out of town for the weekend and I told them I couldn't go, or a night out, etc.

However, it paid off...if you put the time in, you'll get it. But if you are barely passing everything and think "luck" is what it takes to pass a test...then something needs to be corrected about how you study.

kz020 · Jun 2, 2013

There was one rotation that I almost failed. In the end I was saved by a paper that we had to write. I still have some difficulty answering questions and I already graduated! They aren't meant to be easy. They are meant to make you think.

Does your school have tutors available for you? We had specific nursing tutors we could go to. If you don't and your instructors won't work with you, befriend someone you know who gets a's on their tests. Sometimes talking to someone and figuring out how their mind works in relation to the questions can help you out. I've had success doing it that way. Good luck!