I need a pep talk!

Published

*sigh*

I just took my 1st Med-Surg I exam and I made an 80. I am so upset about it. That may sound stupid, but I have made all A's and high B's on every test up to this point (A&P's, Micro, & Fundamentals included) and this is the lowest grade so far...and with it being the first test, I am really down about it. It doesn't seem to be a good way to start. I am frustrated because I know that it only gets more complicated as the tests go on and the semesters go on! Because of this low grade and the pressure I already put on myself to make A's, I have just ADDED to my level of stress and am really sad. I actually teared up in class when we were doing test review. I could always narrow the answers down to two, but then it seemed like a 50/50 chance of me picking the right one...they all seem so subjective. I use every study/supplemental material I can get my hands on, including NCLEX questions, tutorials, study guides, etc. I just don't know how to make sure I pick the right answer. I have read so many test-taking skills websites, etc. I just don't know what else I can do. I know it sounds stupid for me to be whining over an 80, but for my own standards, it's just an awful way to start. Anyone feel like a pep talk??

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Specializes in Almost everywhere.

Whoa...yikes!

I would recommend that you slow down and re-group a bit....

Okay...deep breath taken, I hope. You kinda remind me of myself. I was a "good grade fiend." An 80 on any test would have put me over the edge. I figured out in the long run that I received "a less than perfect grade to me" for a reason. Sometimes those reasons had nothing to do with how much I had studied my brains out or what materials I had used to study prior to the test. Sometimes those reasons were that I had worked all weekend, didn't get enough sleep, had issues at home or just plain HAD AN OFF DAY. Yes, it is possible to have an off day no matter how fantabulous you try to be. I would notice when I stewed about it and worried about what was to come that I would set myself up for further failure "to me." And yes, there are people out there that would possibly sell their first-born for an 80. I have spoken with them and they would have liked to have beaten me to a pulp.

Do you get the opportunity to review the test to see what you missed so you can figure out why you missed it?? I found those opportunities to be beneficial. Because after all, I believe learning from your mistakes can be priceless. Nothing is perfect, nursing is never perfect.

Press on and be okay...please. PM me if you wish. I tutored med-surg.

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Specializes in LDRP.
*sigh*

I just took my 1st Med-Surg I exam and I made an 80. I am so upset about it. That may sound stupid, but I have made all A's and high B's on every test up to this point (A&P's, Micro, & Fundamentals included) and this is the lowest grade so far...and with it being the first test, I am really down about it. It doesn't seem to be a good way to start. I am frustrated because I know that it only gets more complicated as the tests go on and the semesters go on! Because of this low grade and the pressure I already put on myself to make A's, I have just ADDED to my level of stress and am really sad. I actually teared up in class when we were doing test review. I could always narrow the answers down to two, but then it seemed like a 50/50 chance of me picking the right one...they all seem so subjective. I use every study/supplemental material I can get my hands on, including NCLEX questions, tutorials, study guides, etc. I just don't know how to make sure I pick the right answer. I have read so many test-taking skills websites, etc. I just don't know what else I can do. I know it sounds stupid for me to be whining over an 80, but for my own standards, it's just an awful way to start. Anyone feel like a pep talk??

Ok, well, I have heard all through nursing school to expect a grade letter lower in your classes than you normally get. I have found that to be pretty true amoung all the fellow classmates I have talked to with a couple of exceptions. Some people are freaks and get A's no matter what you do to them! ;)

That said, you also have to realize nursing tests are VERY different and hard to get used to because they involve critical thinking. The first test of the semester is always wierd cuz you dont know what it is going to be like.

Just use this as a learning experience. You passed! :) Figure out what you need to change for the next test-more study time? study group? read more? review NCLEX questions?

I would REALLY suggest getting an NCLEX book and studying questions out of it before tests. Good luck to you!

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Hi there-

I just joined allnurses.com today and yours was the first posting I read. I am also in my first Med/Surg class and we have our first exam on Tuesday. I've heard many, MANY horror stories about the class, but one thing that stuck with me about taking the tests is: read the question, cover all of the answers, and then ask yourself what you would do in the situation. Normally, your instinct is right, so uncover the answers and see if your answer is an option. As I said, I haven't taken my first test yet, so I don't know if this method works but it makes sense to me. Good luck on your next test!

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Specializes in Psych..

I'm also one of those people who feels like they've failed if they get less than an A. I got a 78 on a Pathophysiology exam and I went home and cried about it...and then ate a bag of peanut butter M&Ms...

I'm nowhere close to med/surg yet, I just started Fundamentals, so I won't even pretend to know your pain! Still, it sounds to me like you did everything possible to prepare yourself for this test. When I get a grade I'm unhappy with, I ask myself, "was there something you should have done to prepare that you didn't do?" Either it's a yes, and I make sure to better prepare for the next test, or it's a no, and you did the best you could. Sometimes there are just those tests that seem to hit all your weak spots!

You sound like a great student to me, and I'm sure you'll make yourself proud on your next test. Just put this one behind you and focus on all your great accomplishments that are sure to happen in the future. ;)

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Specializes in Corrections, neurology, dialysis.

Don't stress the 80 too much. It's true that the questions get harder, but at the same time you'll get a better grasp of how to answer nursing-style questions.

Many A students don't stay A students in nursing school. I know you're upset but please put your energy and focus on getting ready for the next test and let this one go. You'll burn out really, really fast if you dwell on it too long. Trust me. You don't have the time or energy to spend on regret. Keep moving. Get busy with your next unit of study. You'll be fine.

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

My overall GPA with my bachelor's in business is a 3.78. I always strive for the A, but knew that nursing would be a bit different. I have been a consistently high B student since my first semester. I am happy with that. I would say that I am in the top 5 or 10% of my class gradewise. I am not going to complain.

In nursing school, I think there are a number of things that are more important than the grade itself -- are you understanding and grasping the concepts and the rationales and reasoning? If you're not, the grade's irrelevant. Much of the early stuff is the foundation of your later learning.

Also, as for the tests getting harder, I don't know that that's necessarily true. My grades have been up and down on each test. Sometimes the material is harder, sometimes I grasp it easier, and sometimes I just didn't study like I could've. Also, this being your first NCLEX-style test, give yourself a break. It's quite common to get to the two "better answers", but to not chose the "best" one. At the end of our second semester HESI exam, I can't tell you how many times I heard that same scenario. Join the club, lol!!

Hang in there and try to enjoy the ride!!

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Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surg, Nursery.

I honestly read this and thought "What's the problem?!" :) But no...I do understand. On some tests, I would be glad to take an 80...but I totally understand that feeling. I made an 88 on my first test (we got our grades back today) and while several people I know failed it and would trade anything for my 88, I was still so angry at myself because I kept saying "Well if I had just done this/that...."

I think the most important thing is to NOT get down on yourself because of 1 test. It is so easy to tank yourself by getting down and out about something you can't change. You didn't like your 80, so make a promise to yourself that it won't happen again. Whatever it takes, it won't happen again. I firmly believe determination is half the battle, so just keep telling yourself that, know that this WILL come to you, and keep your chin up. Don't let yourself get bogged down in what has already happened. Sometimes we do have a day/test that is just completely unlike us, we're only human!

I think an 80 is fantastic considering and although we don't know one another, as a fellow nursing student...I'm for sure proud of you!! Keep on keeping on and you'll get it....best of luck!!

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80 is really not that bad, and in 10 years, no one is going to care what you got in your med-surg class. Sad, but true. Keep your head up!

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Thank you all so much for the good advice and pep talks! I realize that I need to keep my chin up and move on. I think one of the main reasons I put so much pressure on myself is that my sister-in-law went thru the same program (AD) with all A's and then went on to get her BSN with all A's and has now just graduated from Emory Univ (a prestigious school in this state for those not around here) with her MSN and graduated with a 4.0! If that's not inspiration and unfortunately a load of pressure for me, I don't know what is! LOL! I know I shouldn't compare myself to her, but hey, in reality it's not that easy not to! But all of your comments have helped me lift my head back up and I appreciate that so much! I'll do my best to bounce back!

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Specializes in ICU, SDU, OR, RR, Ortho, Hospice RN.

Awwww Jado I feel you are stressing just a wee bit too much. It is hard not to set ourselves standards that may be highter but nursing is a different kettle of fish.

Do the best you can, study hard and do the exams with an open clear mind. This is a learning curve for you with heaps of information overload.

My hubster is doing his NP right now and at times feels overwhelmed. I just gently beat him up LOL and he refocusses. He is always setting high standards with his examination marks. He is now trying to refocus not on the mark but how well he remembers the information.

I bought him a PDA with heaps of good nursing information, meds,. calcs etc and that is his greatest resource tool. Can study even sitting on the loo!! (toilet) LOL Sorry had to add that bit to make you giggle LOL :)

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

Great grades don't necessarily equal great nurse. Nursing is so much more than testing well. As a matter of fact, once you are at the bedside, the grade you got on a test years before will have no bearing on how well you are able to handle saving a real human being's life.

That being said, I do understand the desire to get A's on tests. That is a good and valid goal to have in school, but only if that goal empowers you and doesn't make you feel like a failure if you don't achieve it once in a while. This is different testing than you have ever had before and you do have to become accustomed to it. I think you should keep shooting for the A, but be happy for the B. You will nail some of the exams and others not so much, and that is OK!!

Good luck as you continue in your schooling!

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